Marketing veterans Kenny Powar and Neil Cotton launch new AI consultancy

Marketing veterans Kenny Powar and Neil Cotton have launched a new AI consultancy called Let's AI This which aims to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to harness the transformative potential of generative AI.

The Singapore-based firm seeks to bridge the technological gap that favours larger corporations in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, it said in a statement. 

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Let's AI This positions itself as an enabler for SMEs looking to compete more effectively in an increasingly AI-driven business environment. 

It works on AI strategy development, rapid prototyping and practical training. 

“Our mission is to turn AI curiosity into actual impact for SMEs,” said Powar. “We focus on cutting through the hype and enabling companies to put these emerging technologies to work for them.”

Cotton was previously the founder of Campus, targeting business and brands who want to be more strategic in their approach, but find it hard in a world that’s ever more short-term and tactical.

Campus offers a suite of plug-and-play moderated workshops and Sprints that teams can use quickly and easily to tackle today’s most pressing business challenges.

He has also held leadership positions in agencies such as Grey Group, Young & Rubicam and MullenLowe Group Asia Pacific. 

Powar on the other hand is also the co-founder of Rebel Owl where he is responsible for developing and managing client relationships, identifying new business opportunities and driving the overall strategy and growth of the business, according to LinkedIn. 

He was previously the APAC CEO of POSSIBLE and held leadership positions in BLUE Interactive, Cisco Sytems and Wunderman. 

The launch comes at a time when generative AI is increasingly seen as a potential equaliser for SMEs, offering capabilities once reserved for large corporations or well-funded tech startups, it said.  

While the potential of generative AI for SMEs is significant, challenges remain, with recent data suggesting that only 4% of SMEs have so far integrated AI or machine learning in their operations.

Many smaller businesses face barriers such as limited budgets, skills gaps, and uncertainty about technology adoption. Let's AI This positions itself as a guide through these challenges, emphasising practical, business-focused solutions.

Let's AI This differentiates itself through a fast and agile approach to AI adoption. “We believe you’ve got to think big, start small and iterate fast - that’s the way to get AI working for your firm,“ said co-founder Neil Cotton. “Our approach goes from the development of tailored roadmaps to rapid prototyping, to training all with a focus on business outcomes rather than the underlying technology,” he added.

Notably, Let's AI This maintains independence from specific AI platforms, partnering instead with leading specialist firms globally. This strategy, the founders argue, allows for unbiased recommendations tailored to each client's specific needs and the ability to work with the latest and greatest solutions, it said. 

As the business world grapples with the implications of generative AI, Let's AI This's approach offers a blueprint for SMEs looking to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.

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