IMMAP’s Margot Torres wins Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Award 2018

[Editor’s note: The following is a press release from IMMAP.]

MANILA, Philippines – Margot Torres, two-term President of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), won Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Award 2018.

Torres bested 7 other finalists in the special category, Women Leading Change, and was the only Filipino in the shortlist.

Torres led IMMAP in 2016 and 2017 and still sits in its Board of Trustees. During her leadership, IMMAP grew in renown and respect as it went beyond the local communications industry and reached the business sector, the startup economy, the academe, and the national government. 

“I am honored to be this year’s recipient of Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Award as past President of IMMAP. As we believe in IMMAP, change is not enough nowadays. It should be about transformation.

“Everyone should evolve to succeed in this ever-changing landscape. Disruption probably means changing your own mindset. Companies do not change. People do,” said Torres. 

Created in 2017, the Campaign Asia initiative honors women leaders in the region. In its first year, there were only 5 categories; now, the number has grown to 12.

Campaign Asia Pacific is one of the most respected and far-reaching media outfits in the region. It is under the Haymarket Media Group Ltd., which also runs the Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, and Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival.

Of women leading change, Torres shared, “Women should recognize their unique strengths and embrace them rather than consider them as a liability or use them as an excuse. Women have strong attention to detail [and] empathy, and are intuitive.

“These are [the] advantages of women and when combined with a strategic business understanding, drive and ambition, women really affect meaningful change.

“Your competition is yourself against becoming unwilling and incapable to change. To stay competitive and relevant in today’s relentlessly changing environment warrants not only the skill and will to adapt but also the foresight to anticipate change.”

Acknowledged as a thought leader in advertising, marketing, and corporate communications, Torres’ position as Executive Vice President & Deputy Managing Director of McDonald’s defines expertise in operations, IT, and the entirety of the food and restaurant industry.

IMMAP, an organization with over 200 corporate, startup, and individual members, is considered the industry’s youngest association.

Approaching its 10th year in 2016, IMMAP became progressive in its projects, undertaking the first Digital Congress (DigiCon), strengthening its committees, and producing initiatives that reached success and sustainability.

Notably, IMMAP launched an advocacy on cybersafety for children with the Department of Education. IMMAP also sent the first team to represent the Philippines to compete in the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

Ken Lingan, incumbent IMMAP President and Google Country Head, said, “Margot is truly an inspiring leader who has steered IMMAP to be at the forefront of driving the digital marketing ecosystem forward. This recognition is well-deserved and speaks a lot of Margot’s leadership and impact not just on IMMAP but also on the entire industry.”

Furthermore, during Torres’ term, IMMAP achieved financial stability as it grew in revenue. This growth has proven beneficial to its over 200 members, with the association delivering more services and learning sessions.

Today, IMMAP has become a respected source of everything about the internet and mobile.

Having contributed tremendously to the rise and recognition of IMMAP, Torres stressed, “Women in the workplace have the same role as anyone: they should contribute and collaborate for business growth. In addition to that, women in the workplace should lift each other rather than put fellow women down.”

Dentsu Network Chair Donald Lim, who also served as the President of IMMAP for two terms, said of the awardee, “Margot has always been an embodiment of what it takes to be a modern-day marketer: deeply grounded on the disciplines of business and marketing, but at the same time, [is] innovative and agile in thinking and always willing to challenge the status quo. I hope that she continues to inspire our young marketing professionals in the industry to become agents of marketing change just like her.”

Meanwhile, another winner from the Philippines is Malu Vasallo of Wavemaker, who won the Vision Award.

Other Filipinos who were included in the shortlist were Reena Francisco of UM Philippines for Business, Jessica Circi of Ortus Club for Entrepreneurship, and Marivic Garcia of OMG Advertising for Innovation.