Today’s digital marketplace has revealed that brands are locked in a relentless race for visibility, chasing clicks, impressions, and viral reach. Speaking exclusively at AIBC Asia 2026 in Manila, Gerry Go, CEO and founder of Magniviral 360 Performance Branding Corporation, said these metrics are no longer enough.
“Attention is easy, trust is hard,” says Go. He highlights a shift in how success should be measured. While attention sparks curiosity, trust secures commitment.
Go shared one of his campaigns. When he was promoted to BitGet, he guided users through crypto airdrop withdrawals, onboarding 20,500 new users. The success stems not from virality but from proof: audiences acted in such a way because they saw tangible value.
He also shed light on the failure of market update promotions to convert. In other words, visibility without credibility points to a shallow victory. According to Go, proof-driven branding is a strategy. It offers audiences evidence rather than empty promises. Campaigns that consistently solve problems or deliver utility often outperform those that just chase reach alone.
Since 2020, influencer marketing has evolved. During that time, audiences often accepted endorsements at face value. But today, they are more insightful, research claims, and demand authenticity. Go puts the challenge simply: “Does my audience trust me? Do they see that value in men?”
According to Go, reliable influencer marketing means partnering with collaborators who genuinely believe in their products, not just reading a script.
Authentic influencer marketing, he insists, means working with collaborators who genuinely believe in the product, not those reading from a script. Reach may spark attention, but trust drives action.
(Source: AIBC World/YouTube)
AI has reshaped today’s branding workflows, like its ability to streamline campaigns, conduct onboarding, and manage influencers. Yet despite it all, Go emphasises that it cannot replace human storytelling. Personal narratives continue to be the true differentiator. “AI makes me faster, but authenticity makes me different,” he explained.
Consumers today are shifting from public feeds to private spaces like WeChat, Discord, and Telegram. Influence now depends on authentic engagement within nice groups.
Go also shared his own journey. He lost $21,000 on Dogecoin in 2020, but it led him to build Magniviral into a performance branding leader. By sharing his story with his audience, including his failures, he turned his followers into a community that believes rather than just watches.
Additionally, this balance establishes AI-accelerated storytelling. Technology, for one, amplifies reach. But human experience continues to build connections. Data shows that in APAC, 64 per cent of markets already use AI to improve productivity. Moreover, 7 in 10 organisations mobilise AI agents in workflows, according to media reports. Still, over-dependence on AI may erode authenticity if there is no balance with human storytelling.
Go sees branding shaping both technology and human storytelling in the coming years. Brands must push boundaries with experiential activations and influencer-led campaigns. Additionally, Go says the future lies in community-driven branding. Inviting audiences into this journey, brands become part of their evolution. Furthermore, with trust becoming the new currency, credibility remains the foundation for long-term success.
