The Future of Shopping @UNSW House | Thur 19 Nov

Shopping can be looked at as a collective mirror - reflecting our needs, desires and values in action. This series of talks interrogates the psychology, technologies and functions of shopping behaviours and retail settings, tracing them through to their impacts on individuals and society.

The Future of Shopping @UNSW House | Thursday, 19 November sessions

The Evolution of Advertising

2–2.40pm | Thursday 19 November

Over time, in store demonstrations made way for 30 second TV messaging. Fast forward to today, and the integration of digital shopping, influencers and the algorithm are part of everyday life. Executive Creative Director Annie Price and Professor Harald Van Heerde, in conversation with Siobhan Marin, will dissect the evolution of advertising and the next big thing.

AI Shopping Companions

4–4.40pm | Thursday 19 November

As global brands invest in sophisticated Al companions to plan meals, organise parties and curate wardrobes, how will chatbots and digital avatars reshape the way products are marketed and sold. Design duo INJURY and Dr Sue Keay, in conversation with Siobhan Marin, discuss what's at stake when algorithms influence our choices.

Speakers

Annie Price is the Executive Creative Director at award-winning agency Communicado, bringing more than 30 years' experience in advertising, spanning brand, shopper and retail. Price has led campaigns for well-known brands including Specsavers, Forty Winks and Jetstar. Drawing on this extensive career, she has witnessed the industry's transformation firsthand and gained an understanding of the evolution of advertising, tracing how the industry has adapted through each shift.

Professor Harald Van Heerde is a Research Professor of Marketing at UNSW. He specialises in brand equity, marketing mix effectiveness, mobile app engagement and social media marketing, with research examining how these levers combine to drive consumer behaviour and business performance. Harald also explores the role of PR, buzz and publicity in shaping brand perception and market success. His work offers valuable insight into how organisations can build stronger brands, engage audiences more effectively and navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.

INJURY is an interdisciplinary brand founded in Western Sydney by creative director Eugene Leung. Working across fashion, music, CGI film, digital fashion and art collectibles, the label merges classic and avant-garde aesthetics through hybrid physical and virtual design practices. INJURY has presented runway collections at international fashion weeks in Paris, New York, Sydney and Shanghai, and has been worn by a range of musicians and public figures. The label has been featured in publications including Vogue, Hypebae, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery29 and NOWNESS, and has presented CGI fashion films at international festivals in New York, Berlin and Cannes. The brand has also released digital fashion and wearable NFTs through platforms including DRESSX, Foundation and Crypto Fashion Week.

Dr Sue Keay is Director of the UNSW Al Institute and founder of the Robotics Australia Group, the nation's peak robotics industry body. She is widely recognised as a leading expert in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation. Drawing on a background in science and extensive experience across research, industry and government, Dr Keay specialises in translating cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions, helping organisations harness innovation to solve complex challenges and drive economic and social impact.

Siobhan Marin is a presenter and producer with ABC TV's Compass and Radio National, and host of the popular podcast Quick Smart. With a background in social influences and ethics reporting, Marin brings a sharp lens to how media, technology and culture are influencing behaviour, identity and the future of society, including the way we shop, connect and make decisions.