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The Battle for Attention: Why Instagram and TikTok Have Become Business Growth Platforms

In today's digital economy, attention has become one of the most valuable business assets. Consumers increasingly discover brands, shape preferences and make purchasing decisions through social platforms, while short-form video continues to redefine how businesses engage with audiences.

Against this backdrop, Evgeny Kozlov, Regional Marketing Manager at Aleph, will deliver a keynote presentation titled “Winning the Feed: Instagram & TikTok as Growth Engines” at the 23rd Marketing, Advertising, Media & Communication Conference, taking place on 19 June 2026 at Hilton Nicosia.

The session will explore how platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have evolved far beyond their role as social networks, becoming powerful engines for brand visibility, customer acquisition and business growth. From Reels and Stories to creator collaborations and algorithm-driven discovery, Kozlov will examine the forces shaping today's attention economy and the strategies brands can use to remain relevant in increasingly competitive digital environments.

Participants will gain valuable insights into how businesses can transform engagement into meaningful outcomes, build authentic connections with audiences and leverage emerging content trends to drive measurable results. The presentation will also highlight key developments influencing marketers across Cyprus and the wider region.

Kozlov brings extensive international experience in digital marketing, advertising technology and platform growth. At Aleph, the global partner of major digital platforms including TikTok, X, Microsoft Advertising, Reddit, Pinterest, Spotify and Amazon Ads, he leads marketing and growth initiatives across Cyprus, Malta, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Before joining Aleph, he served as Marketing Director at the Schaffhausen Institute of Technology in Switzerland and held senior positions at Httpool and Twitter, contributing to the development of digital ecosystems and strategic commercial partnerships across international markets.

In addition to his professional role, Kozlov is actively engaged in Cyprus' technology and communications sector as Head of the MarComms Community at TechIsland.

The Conference

Under the theme "Generation Social," this year's conference will explore how every generation—from Gen Alpha and Gen Z to Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers—engages daily through social platforms, shaping purchasing behaviors, brand loyalty, and business strategies.

The conference will examine how social media has evolved from a communication channel into a powerful engine for influence, commerce, customer engagement, and trust-building. It will also highlight why understanding platform culture has become a leadership imperative rather than simply a marketing concern.

This year’s agenda

The programme features keynote presentations and panel discussions addressing the most significant trends shaping today's media and marketing landscape.

Key topics include the dominance of short-form video, the rise of the creator economy, the growing influence of creators and influencers on purchasing decisions, emerging content production strategies, and the challenge of transforming audience attention into measurable business value.

The agenda will also explore the emergence of a new generation of professionals who live and work within social ecosystems, as well as how organizations must adapt by operating with greater speed, authenticity, and cultural intelligence in an increasingly connected environment.

Specialized discussions will focus on how different consumer generations in Cyprus use social platforms, how purchasing decisions are influenced online, and the common mistakes brands continue to make when attempting to build meaningful connections with their audiences.

Another major theme will be the allocation of marketing budgets in the new digital economy, including the competition among TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube; the balance between paid, organic, and creator-led content; and where measurable return on investment is being generated today.

Audience

The 23rd Marketing, Advertising, Media & Communication Conference is designed for:

• Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Marketing Directors

• Marketing Managers and Digital Marketing Leaders

• Brand Managers and Product Marketing Executives

• CEOs, General Managers, and Sales Directors

• Communications and Public Relations professionals

• Media executives and advertising professionals

• Agencies, consultants, and strategists

• Social media and influencer marketing specialists

• Content creators and digital innovators

• Professionals working across media, communications, marketing, and the digital economy

For the conference programme, click here.

To register, click here.

Information

Sponsors: ECOMMBX, IMR/University of Nicosia, OnlySEO, Webarts

Coffee Sponsor: Kawacom

Organizer: IMH

With the Support of: Cyprus Advertisers Association, SDEK

Community Partner: TechIsland MarComms Community

Communication Sponsors:  Alpha TV Cyprus, Cyprus Business News, GOLD magazine, IN Business magazine, REPORTER portal, SuperFM

For more information, participation fees, and registrations, please contact IMH:

T: +357 77777741

E: events@imhbusiness.com

You may also visit: www.imhbusiness.com

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