Kyiv Hosts MRKTNG Marathon: "Highlighting the Essentials"
On June 3, 2026, Kyiv became the hub for the MRKTNG marathon titled "Highlighting the Essentials," organized by the business/media bureau Ekonomika+ and MMR. The event drew more than 500 participants and 40 speakers, who delved into pressing topics in marketing, social initiatives, OOH advertising, collaborations, artificial intelligence, and customer experience. A key highlight was the award ceremony for winners of the X-RAY Marketing Projects Contest, alongside a charity fundraiser supporting the "Spalakh" Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
The marathon was hosted by Ruslan Sharipov from 1+1 media and Liudmyla Barbir from the TV channel "1+1 Ukraine." Among the speakers presenting their insights were:
- Mykhailo Shapovalov from Admixer Advertising, who discussed GMP hubs;
- Yuliia Zhmakina, Nataliia Vovk, and Yehor Hordieiev, who explored "Snidanok z 1+1";
- Tetiana Kolesnyk from PUMB and Alona Koshuk from Adsapience, sharing their experience with the "Teplokrovni" project.
Panel Discussions
A panel on marketing adaptation featured participants such as:
- Borys Tsomaia from RIEL;
- Volodymyr Soboliev from Kovalska;
- Yaryna Skorokhod from DTEK;
- Dmytro Danylovych from ALVIVA GROUP;
- Viktoriia Shapron from AB InBev Efes Ukraine.
Dmytro Sudak from Teva in Ukraine spoke about team resourcefulness, while Viktor Ivanchenko from Megapolis+ addressed OOH topics.
Participants in the discussion "Advertising Transformation in 2026" included:
- Oksana Bieliaieva from OMD Optimum Media Ukraine;
- Olena Plakhova from KERNEL;
- Hennadii Karlinskyi from WOG.
Speaker Daria Cherkashyna from HAVAS Red examined collaborations, and Serhii Kostia from Bolt discussed brand in the context of life.
The discussion "Social Projects Without Instructions" brought together:
- Tetiana Sherman from DTEK Academy;
- Anna Zakharash from Darnytsia;
- Ivanna Slaboshpytska from KYIV24;
- Yuliia Dalibuk from robota.ua;
- Tetiana Boiar from L'Oréal.
Volodymyr Haidash from ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih discussed the industrial brand, while Iryna Mietnova from Vandog Agency presented topics on creative PR.
The discussion "Hunting for Attention" gathered representatives from various fields, including:
- Daria Sukhenko from Trembita PR;
- Olha Divushchak from Foundation Coffee Roasters;
- Dmytro Samoliuk from My – Ukraina;
- Vladyslav Dunaienko from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;
- Denys Zelenov from 24 Kanal;
- Olha Hutsalo from Kyivstar.Tech;
- Danilo Povar, blogger and comedian.
Elina Kochenko from Flyer One Ventures raised issues around artificial intelligence, and Olena Tsysar, an international CX expert, spoke about customer experience.
As part of the marathon, a charity fundraiser for the "Spalakh" battalion collected 43,173 UAH to purchase two Starlink Mini units. The event's general partners were PUMB and Teva, with 1+1 media serving as the general media partner.
"The market no longer offers ready-made blueprints, and marketing is returning to the center of business decisions—not as a service, but as a strategic function."
In summary, the MRKTNG marathon "Highlighting the Essentials" marked a significant event for marketing professionals, uniting representatives from diverse industries to discuss key trends and social initiatives. The gathering underscores the necessity of adapting marketing strategies to current conditions, as well as the growing relevance of social responsibility in business today.
As the MRKTNG Marathon in Kyiv showcased innovative marketing strategies, it’s essential to recognize the broader context of such gatherings. Events like this not only foster collaboration among industry experts but also highlight the increasing significance of marketing in today's landscape. For a deeper insight into the upcoming trends and the participation of over 500 marketing professionals, explore our article on the gathering of marketing specialists in Kyiv.