Tech MVP 2024: What makes a standout entry

Belinda Clark, vice president of experience strategy for SEA, RAPP

"There are so many tech products on the market nowadays that it’s nearly impossible for clients to navigate between them. We’re also at a critical juncture when the best products are built to integrate, delivering a seamless end-to-end experience for client users and customers. It would also be remiss of me not to mention AI (the topic of the year), so I’ll look for products integrating AI and machine learning into their solutions to deliver faster, more effective solutions for clients."

Chandan Deep, vice president, B Capital Group

"A standout product has a solid technical solution bundled into a clear value proposition for end users, with a defined product market fit, ROI business case, and approach to scaling across multiple use cases and industries."

Dorothy Peng, partner, Deloitte Consulting 

"It must improve things, add value to the problem it solves, and add a bit of magic to the logic behind it!"

Hasan S. Hasnie, chief technology officer APAC, VML

"Innovative products solve everyday life and business problems quickly and cheaply through creative applications. They’re immediately useful and require very little ramp-up time. I’d be interested in seeing and judging all the entries to see which products are the most usable."

Nadiya Omar, media consultant

"I'm looking for human design thinking. All too often, potentially good innovative products fail because they're a pain to use or difficult to understand or explain. As cringe as it may sound, I'm looking for a product with purpose. For the greater good. We've lived through the era of products in our industry that are shamelessly designed to make advertising cheaper and commoditised. Thus, poor quality and killing creativity. We are now responsible for promoting innovation designed to help reverse the damage. Diversify the landscape sustainably and encourage a new way of thinking."

Nick Seckold, regional vice president for APAC at Microsoft Advertising

"Innovative products break the norm with fresh approaches and unique features, functionalities, or business models. They have a significant market impact and the potential to disrupt or create markets and achieve substantial user adoption by addressing real needs."

Niraj Nagpal, lead, channel sales and partnerships data and services for APAC, Mastercard

"Innovation and judging value are tricky concepts. Standout entries will be those that solve for clear use cases, consider regional diversity, are creative with their approach, and can show how they achieved success with constrained resources."

Sunita Kaur, director, Toothcomb 

"Product-wise, there have always been two standout boxes to tick: Utility and the ability to reimagine human behaviour, like finding a new way of doing an old thing."

Lu Kenn Wong, group director, addressable technology at Mediabrands Content Studios (Most Valuable Professional 2023)

"Truly great products not only help our clients/customer achieve their goals in new and innovative ways but need to be holistically outstanding—intuitive user experience, responsive customer service, and a strategic product roadmap. Ideally, a product that brings great value but not at a price point that would make it available only to the customer with the deepest pockets."

Belinda Clark, vice president of experience strategy for SEA, RAPP

"A standout tech professional entry for me would be someone who is both a T-shaped specialist and a generalist in the industry. This is someone who has a great depth of knowledge about their craft and the thousands of platforms available while having pleasing EQ to partner with other department specialists and their clients to deliver the right solutions for them. It’s also someone who has significant impact and influence in their organisation, understands what authentic tech leadership means, and can build the right relationships to deliver inspiring solutions and encourage their clients to be at the forefront of innovation and sophistication."

Chandan Deep, vice president, B Capital Group

"Solid technical skills are critical, but they are table stakes; I am looking for people with a big vision, passion, and plan to drive the growth of the tech industry and Asia."

Dorothy Peng, partner, Deloitte Consulting 

"I’d be keen to understand their work's impact on the businesses they work with and on the people around them."

Hasan S. Hasnie, chief technology officer APAC, VML

"A standout tech professional in the creative space would be successfully able to simultaneously deliver scalable and innovative technology and connect with the business and marketing side enough that the creativity of those teams translates into the tech work."

Nadiya Omar, media consultant

"Genuine enthusiasm and passion. Sadly, tech products need to be ‘sold’. As a result, many seasoned salespeople aren't naturally invested, and it shows. (No disrespect to them, of course! I don't hate the players.) I'm looking for people with lived and learned experience in the tech they work with, with a story to tell. It has to be personal. It would be great to see people who aren't afraid to challenge/ question the status quo. No matter how small or big. We're all guilty of the fear of change. A little inspiration goes a long way. And I'm looking for more women, please!"

Nick Seckold, regional vice president for APAC, Microsoft Advertising

"Exceptional nominations are characterised by a bold vision and ambition, aiming to revolutionise industries or solve critical issues. They should provide evidence of impact through data or case studies, demonstrating tangible benefits like efficiency, revenue growth, or enhanced user experiences. Moreover, outstanding products prioritise user-centric design, offering intuitive experiences and incorporating thorough design and usability testing."

Niraj Nagpal, lead, channel sales and partnerships data and services for APAC, Mastercard

"A valuable tech professional should be a leader and sharer of knowledge. They must see demonstrable results and outcomes and lead efforts to improve colleagues, their company, and the wider industry."

Sunita Kaur, director, Toothcomb 

"Naturally, innovative thinking and technical proficiency are crucial, but standout professionals also need adaptability and the ability to recognise their weaknesses. They can strengthen their teams and become better leaders by hiring complementary talents."

Lu Kenn Wong, group director, addressable technology at Mediabrands Content Studios (Most Valuable Professional 2023)

"True MVPs stand out by bringing the best products, services, and innovations to market and improving the lives of the people and communities around them—by mentoring youths to thrive in the field, helping clients succeed, and challenging their competitors to innovate."