Mohammad Akrum Hossain

Chief Creative Officer at :POP5 (Bangladesh)

Akrum Hossain, Chief Creative Officer at POP5, is the only Bangladeshi creative with over 250 local and international awards, including from Cannes Lions, Spikes, the Effie Awards and more for his groundbreaking projects such as AgroBanking, the Child Marriage Prevention Loan, The Unwritten Story, Tally Loan Druti, and the Plastic Exchange Store. This year, his campaign Plot Farming earned a prestegious Grand Prix for Bangladesh at MAD STARS while also winning at ADFEST, and the PHNX Awards, further cementing POP5’s position on the international stage. He made history as the first from Bangladesh to serve as a speaker, jury member, and judge at Cannes Lions and to lead a coaching session at LIA. He was also a jury member at AdFest, MAD STARS, Creative Circle, Cannes Lions (shortlisting jury), PHNX Awards, Effie Awards, Commwards, Best TV Ads, and Ciclope. At agencies like Grey Dhaka and Asiatic Marketing Communications, Akrum's leadership elevated them to become Bangladesh’s most awarded, with Asiatic ranked as the country’s best agency by Campaign Brief Asia. He was also recognized globally as the first Executive Creative Director (ECD) from an underrepresented country to make Creativepool’s list of the 25 Most Influential ECDs and was hailed as the most influential ECD in Bangladesh. Over nearly two decades, Akrum has worked with both local and international brands, including Telenor, Banglalink, Reckitt Benckiser, GSK, and United Commercial Bank. His pioneering efforts have helped bring Bangladeshi campaigns to the global stage, showcasing the creative potential of his country on an international platform. 

 

Speech Topic

Creativity in Emerging Markets: How Underdog Nations Build Powerful, Purpose-Driven Brands.

Synopsis

This dynamic session explores how deep local insights and a strong sense of purpose from an underrepresented country can translate into globally recognized, award-winning creative work. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies that successfully propelled Bangladesh's creative industry into the global spotlight. Key areas covered include a detailed look at Global Award Shows and Winning Strategies, analysing the significant impact of securing Cannes Lions. The session will feature crucial Global vs. Bangladesh Insights & Comparisons, taking you behind the scenes of past victories. Learn the intricate elements of the Cannes Lions category strategies and the proven Cannes campaign formula. Finally, participants will receive actionable knowledge on developing an Open Brief for Idea Development and mastering How to Write a Cannes-Winning Case, distilling the essential Winner and Jury Insights and the presenter’s personal Winning Formula.