Exit interview: Dian Gemiano on leaving KG Media’s CMO seat to lead KapanLagi Youniverse

Dian Gemiano (pictured) has swapped the chief marketing officer role for the chief executive seat, joining KapanLagi Youniverse (KLY) as CEO after more than a decade in leadership roles at KG Media.

Gemiano’s appointment marks a new chapter for a media executive whose career has largely been shaped by marketing, commercial innovation and media transformation.

Speaking about the move, Gemiano said the decision was driven by the opportunity to build something bigger, while his experience at KG Media had given him a broad view of how the media industry was evolving.

“As a professional, I’m always motivated by the opportunity to build something meaningful,” he told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.

“I’ve spent more than a decade in leadership roles at KG Media, which has taught me a lot about the media business ecosystem and how to navigate its dynamic. I’ve also been actively involved in the media industry activities and advocacy with the Indonesian Digital Association.”

Don't miss: Exit interview: Teejae Sonza reflects on 26 years at Coca-Cola and her next chapter

That experience, he said, helped him see KLY as being in an interesting position within the wider Emtek ecosystem as the media business continues to change.

“Having a wider perspective about how this industry is changing, I can see that KLY, within Emtek’s ecosystem, is positioned in a very interesting space to transform the media business moving forward,” Gemiano said.

He also pointed to the vision of Emtek Media leadership, particularly Sutanto Hartono, as another factor behind his decision.

From CMO to CEO

The move from CMO to CEO could appear to represent a significant shift in responsibilities. For Gemiano, however, the transition is more natural than it might look from the outside.

“It means I have to work harder!” he said.

Gemiano argued that marketing within a media company is already closely connected to the commercial and operational side of the business, requiring marketers to understand more than just audiences and brand positioning.

“The marketing role in a media company has a unique function that probably people are not aware of. Most of our time is spent developing and innovating commercial products to drive sustainable business growth,” he said.

Gemiano said his marketing role often required him to work closely with the company’s core business operations and finances, while he was also given responsibility for managing several business units during his tenure at the company.

Those experiences, he said, have made the move into the CEO role feel more natural, even as the scale of accountability changes.

Certainly, the role of a CEO will have different challenges and magnitude, but I feel more confident with the support and guidance from Emtek Media leadership.

A marketer's lens on media

For Gemiano, one of the most important principles he will carry from marketing into his new role is consumer-centricity.

“A marketer always works with consumer-centricity in mind and we tend to push more creative thinking in the process,” he said.

That mindset could become increasingly important as media companies contend with an abundance of content, rapidly changing consumer behaviour and the accelerating adoption of AI.

“In today’s chaotic and digitalised world where information is abundant and yet confusing, where rapid adoption of AI is driving faster commoditisation of any product, consumer-centricity and creativity will give us a unique competitive edge.”

The bigger adjustment, he said, is not necessarily moving away from marketing but taking responsibility for the entire organisation.

“The biggest difference between my previous and current role is the scope of responsibility, and to me it means that I have to create an environment where every single person in my organisation can thrive and perform well for the company.”

Looking back at KG Media

Gemiano leaves KG Media after more than a decade with the company, a period he credits with shaping him professionally as well as giving him a role in its business transformation.

“I’m always proud of how KG has nurtured and transformed me into the person I am today professionally,” he said.

The values they taught me about humanity, intellectual enlightenment and kindness will remain with me forever.

He also highlighted his involvement in KG Media’s business transformation, including the initiation of products such as VCBL, StratX and KG Media Lestari, as well as the latest development of the Bobo IP.

What comes next for KLY?

Gemiano sees the media and entertainment sector as continuing to offer significant opportunities, despite the fragmentation and competition created by today’s information-heavy environment.

“I believe the opportunities for a media company remain vast and compelling because people will not stop consuming content,” he said.

For KLY, the challenge is therefore less about audience demand and more about how effectively a media business can remain relevant to consumers.

“The key lies in staying engaging, relevant, and top-of-mind amid an information-saturated landscape, while continuing to deliver meaningful value to our audience. Again, it’s about consumer-centricity and creativity.”

Asked about his immediate priorities and longer-term ambitions, Gemiano was measured, given that he had only recently taken up the role.

“It’s too early for me to respond to this question, but my priority at the moment is to drive business growth and profitability,” he said.

For now, that puts commercial growth at the centre of Gemiano’s first phase as CEO, while his marketing background may offer a different lens on how KLY can grow its business and strengthen its audience proposition.

Discover what's next in Indonesia's fast-moving digital landscape at DMA Indonesia 2026 on 13 October in Jakarta, where marketing leaders will explore how AI, creator ecosystems, social commerce, and omnichannel strategies are reshaping customer engagement and business growth.

Related articles:
AIA Philippines CMO Melissa Henson steps up as BPI AIA CEO
How ex-Halodoc CMO Felicia Kawilarang pitches wellness through storytelling
Why marketing veteran Mediko Azwar left Bluebird to launch a fractional CMO venture