Member Interview with Haris Munif

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Haris Munif, Head of Marketing - Asia, Middle East and Africa, HMD

What’s your golden rule?

Impact over impressions. Always. And simplicity creates the biggest impact.

Who has been your biggest influence?

I’ve been shaped by people at every stage of my career. The best ideas, lessons, and challenges often come from unexpected places. The important thing is to always keep an open mind.

What is your most hated business expression?

“That’s how we’ve always done it.” History is full of failed brands that mistook habit for strategy.

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

Having spent several years marketing global tech brands, co-founding an integrated tech marketing agency was a no-brainer. We knew the client mindset, understood the pain and could deliver real results without the bureaucracy. The entrepreneurial exposure further sharpened my commercial instinct and made me a more effective marketing leader.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Bob Iger of Disney. His ability to balance creativity, strategy, and execution at scale is remarkable. He transformed Disney not by following trends, but by making bold, calculated bets, from acquisitions like Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm to reinvigorating the brand’s storytelling and culture. He’s a masterclass in creativity & business strategy alike.

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

How to build marketing teams that are both creatively brave and commercially accountable, especially in a world where AI is accelerating everything. Tools will change fast; judgment, taste, and leadership won’t.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

Because the best learning doesn’t come from complex frameworks, it comes from honest conversations with peers who are dealing with similar pressures. The Marketing Society creates an excellent space where senior marketers can challenge each other, share real experiences, and collectively raise the bar for the profession.

Why does marketing matter to you?

Because when done well, marketing sits at the intersection of creativity, psychology, culture, and business. It has the power to shape how brands behave, not just how they communicate. That responsibility matters.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I’m passionate about mentoring younger marketers, especially helping them understand that career growth isn’t linear, and that curiosity, resilience, and commercial thinking matter as much as titles. After all, some of the most valuable leadership moments happen outside meeting rooms.