Off Central – A Recode Festival
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A mind-set that challenges the status quo, questions the rules, and chooses the unmapped and uneven.
A spirit that reimagines better ways, unsettles the comfort of the established, and believes that stumbling and defiance keep history in motion.
It’s not rebellion for its own sake, it’s renewal, a spark for change, and a pursuit of what’s better.
It’s a leadership style that dares to Recode for a Better Future of Better Life, Better World and Better Business.
IAA Malaysia's OFF CENTRAL is an event that celebrates the passion points of young professionals - the dreamers, the doers, and the disruptors shaping tomorrow.
Register today!
Featuring:
Join us for an afternoon where the next generation of leaders, creators, and innovators come together to unwind, connect, and celebrate what drives them.
Expect creative vibes, great music, and a crowd full of inspiration.
Because passion doesn’t stop at the office, it comes alive OFF CENTRAL.
FRIDAY, 5th DECEMBER 2025 | 3.30pm - 6.30pm
IACT College (VSQ @ PJ City Centre)
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zGJ1BZxEdgdxSLAi7
IAA Malaysia Members
FOC for 1st registration | RM150 - 2nd registration onwards IAA Malaysia members | RM150 per pax* Non-Members (Young Professionals, below 35 years old)
* May top-up RM100 to register as IAAM Young Professional instead of RM250 per annum
* Above 35 may top-up RM450 to register as IAA Member instead of the RM600 per annum
PROGRAMME: 5th DEC 2025
| Time Slot | Topic | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Arrival of Guests and Registration | |
| 3:30pm | Opening Speech: President IAA Malaysia | John D. Chacko |
| 3:40pm | Sponsor: Ampersand Advisory | Sandeep Joseph, CEO |
| 3:50pm | Food is Served | Networking session |
| 4:00pm | Virality is not an accident, its a science | Influencer Marketing (Ariel Koh) |
| 4:30pm | - | Film Director (Nadiah) |
| 5:00pm | Marketing In Games: The Next Frontier | Nathalie & Navishvin |
| 5:25pm | Sponsor: Discova DMS Malaysia | Tricia Loh, Country Manager |
| 5:35pm | Networking + Closing | - |
PROFILE: SPEAKERS & SPONSORS
Ariel Koh, Entrepreneur and the founder of Malaysia Food and Travel
Ariel is an entrepreneur and the founder of Malaysia Food and Travel, a digital media platform with over 900k followers on IG, Tik Tok and FB. She leads the growth, creative direction and digital reach of MFT within Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Her Diverse talents in video shooting, editing, photography, graphic design, ability to conceptualize marketing messages and tailor them to the new generation led her to producing contents for clients such as Grab, Sunway Malls, Maybank, My News, Dominos Pizza, Shangri-La Hotel and more.
Her passion for creative work started at the tender age of 18 while still in college, she worked 4 jobs in Videography, Marketing, TV Hosting and Photography. She went on to study and work in the USA refining her skills and establishing herself as a digital marketer.
Currently Ariel has ambitious dreams to grow FFF Media Group, a digital media publishing company aiming to grow verticals similar to MFT such as Halal Food and Travel, KL Holiao and more.
She is also passionate about media and its potential impact on the next generation. In her other media channels she hopes to educate the next generation in finance, communication, self awareness, mental health, women empowerment, and more.
With MFT she has seen the power of how media can help empower small businesses and she dreams of empowering small businesses all over Asia through the strategic and creative use of digital media.
In her spare time, Ariel loves to dance, act, write and direct.
Nadiah Hamzah, Malaysian Filmmaker
Nadiah is a Malaysian filmmaker whose work bridges emotional intimacy with striking cinematic precision. Born and raised in Penang, Nadiah was trained as a graphic designer but began her creative career as a copywriter in McCann Erickson Malaysia before making the leap to directing. She later earned her MFA in Film & TV from NYU Tisch, where she was mentored by icons like Spike Lee. Her debut feature Motif premiered to international acclaim and was praised by The Hollywood Reporter as “one to watch.”
In 2025, Nadiah wrapped production on her second feature length film Kata Hati; a grounded romantic comedy set against the high-stakes world of celebrity culture and public scandal. The film continues her commitment to telling women's stories with nuance, tension, and emotional clarity.
Alongside her long-form work, Nadiah is an accomplished commercial director, having helmed TV campaigns for major brands across Southeast Asia. Her storytelling-driven approach and visual sensibility have made her a trusted voice in the region’s advertising landscape. Her anti-bullying PSA - a collaborative effort with Leo Burnett for Save The Children earned awards at AdFest, The One Show, and Cannes Lions, spotlighting her ability to marry cinematic craft with social impact.
Nadiah is a passionate advocate for emerging filmmakers. Her work, whether in commercials, long-form, or genre-driven drama reflects a deep commitment to emotionally resonant, purposeful storytelling, with a focus on amplifying female voices and the complexities of women’s lives.
Narishvin Sukumaran, Chief Executive Officer, MGMAX
Narishvin Sukumaran is the Chief Executive Officer of MGMAX, the gaming arm of the ITMAX Berhad Group. He brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Xsolla, dLocal, and Coda Payments, where he drove multi-million-dollar growth across Asia.
A Dean’s Award recipient from the Asia School of Business in collaboration with MIT Sloan, Narishvin is passionate about bridging gaming, fintech, and digital commerce to build scalable global ecosystems.
Nathalie Tay, Business Director - THE MAGIC RAIN
Nathalie is the organiser of Indie Jam, Malaysia's largest independent showcase of regionally-made video games. A community builder first and business owner second, her passion lies in initiatives that connect creatives, industry, and government through impactful events and regional partnerships.
She also serves as awards show jury and media partner for notable international conferences such as Taipei Game Show, Level Up KL, and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show.
SPONSOR:
Sandeep Joseph, CEO and co-founder of Ampersand Advisory
Sandeep Joseph is the CEO and co-founder of Ampersand Advisory, and has worked in several renowned agencies including Ogilvy, Zenith and XM Malaysia across 28 years.
In 2017, he partnered with ad legend Tan Sri Vincent Lee to launch Ampersand Advisory, a digital-centred consultancy that provides clients with business solutions in media, creative, PR and data. The team has grown to 90 people and Ampersand Advisory has won over 470 awards. In his spare time, Sandeep is a filmmaker, columnist and slightly hopeful Manchester United supporter.
SPONSOR:
Tricia Loh, Country Manager - Discova Malaysia
Since 2020, Tricia Loh has been part of IAAM especially taking part in the bidding of IAAWC 2024. Known for her passion and energetic works in the tourism, she connects people and places through memories, creatives and legacies. Now, being the Country Manager of Discova Malaysia, she is dedicated to inspire many youngsters to turn passion into a career in tourism & hospitality. Enlivening a humanised tourism!
Discova is the global destination management division of Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX-listed company), with operations across 15+ countries in Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. As a leading Destination Management Company partner, we specialise in designing tailor-made travel solutions — from group series and educational travel to mass-affluent, luxury, and MICE experiences.
Discova's integrated model combines local expertise with global standards in sustainability, safety, and service excellence. In Malaysia, Discova Malaysia focuses on showcasing authentic cultural, adventure, and community-based tourism, while building collaborative partnerships that drive destination growth and visitor satisfaction. 3 Branches in Malaysia: KL, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu.
