Gen Z perspectives: People moves, kawaii collabs and conversations from DMA

Happy Friday, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE readers and welcome back to Gen Z Perspectives, your go-to feature where we unpack the week’s top stories and trending topics through the eyes of Gen Z. From the biggest industry moves to viral moments and marketing controversies worth dissecting, we’re bringing the heat with authenticity, awareness and probably a few unfiltered takes.

This week, a Coca-Cola digital leader made an exit, Figma got a kawaii makeover, and we revisited some of our favourite podcast conversations from DMA Singapore 2026.

Missed the buzz? We've got you covered.

Don't miss: Gen Z perspectives: Chris Lee exits, memes return and Instagram goes long

1. Coca-Cola digital acceleration strategy and enablement senior director exits

Andrew Hill, senior director of digital acceleration strategy and enablement at The Coca-Cola Company, is exiting the beverage giant after four years, closing a chapter that saw him lead digital initiatives and strategic partnerships across the region.

In a LinkedIn post, Hill reflected on his time with Coca-Cola, where he initially joined to help build digital partnerships before taking on broader responsibilities spanning markets, functions and regional teams.

Read more here. 

2. Hello Kitty and friends want in on your brainstorms  

Figma is bringing a little kawaii to the creative process, teaming up with Sanrio to introduce 12 of its beloved characters into its collaborative whiteboard FigJam, as the design platform looks to make everyday collaboration more playful.

Running from 1 to 8 November, the limited-time partnership marks Sanrio's first integration with Figma. It will see characters including Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin and Pochacco make their way into FigJam, where users can incorporate them into brainstorms, group projects and other collaborative activities.

Read more here. 

3. DMA 2026 Podcast: How POP MART keeps its IPs coveted

From Labubu to Crybaby, POP MART has built a global following around collectible characters and the artists behind them. But in a market where consumer attention is constantly shifting, building a lasting community takes more than creating the next viral sensation.

"I see fandom as something that you build over time," said Jeremy Lee, head of Middle East and South Asia at POP MART.

Speaking on Marketing Connected's podcast at Digital Marketing Asia 2026, Lee tells Rezwana Manjur, editor-in-chief at MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, how the company builds fandom through artist engagement, social listening and collaborations, while keeping its intellectual properties relevant to consumers.

Read more here. 

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