Chris Baker
Chris is keenly focused on what the future of marketing looks like — he writes, speaks and works with Fortune 100 clients to unlock growth across new markets, channels and technologies. Over 20 years he has connected the global, China and APAC ecosystems, re-mixing the best of each.
About Chris
As the founder of Totem Media, Chris helps global brands navigate the fastest-moving marketing landscape in the world. Over two decades he has connected the global, China and APAC ecosystems — re-mixing the best practices of each — and helped some of the world's top brands achieve meaningful breakthroughs: Apple, Volkswagen, Starbucks, Nike/Converse, Virgin, Omega/Swatch Group, Tencent, New Balance and Disney among them.
Totem's reports and white papers on China, DTC branding, AI and social commerce have been downloaded more than a million times and viewed over two million — giving Chris an unusually data-rich, front-line view of where marketing is heading.
Recognized as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert (2026) and a judge for the Effie Awards and ANA Awards. Co-host of Commerce Beyond Borders, a podcast on cross-border commerce and brand strategy. Speaker at WARC, AmCham China, What's Next in Marketing Singapore, Coresight Research, AdAge, Campaign, Forbes, and CB Insights.
What Chris speaks on
China & APAC
Reading the world's fastest-moving consumer market — and what the rest of the world can learn from it.
Cultural marketing & brand growth
Winning attention inside culture rather than renting it — measured through SOCV, Totem's Share of Cultural Voice.
Social commerce
How China's live, community-led commerce playbook is reshaping discovery and selling everywhere.
AI & the future of marketing
What's real, what's next, and what it actually means for brands, agencies and media.
On Stage & In Media
Chris speaks and is featured across leading marketing platforms, research and events worldwide.
Commerce Beyond Borders
Chris co-hosts Commerce Beyond Borders with Renée Hartmann — conversations with the operators, founders and investors shaping cross-border commerce, retail and brand growth across the US, China and Asia.
Why Most DTC Brands Are Scaling the Wrong Way
How Korea Became a Global Culture Engine
Attribution, AI Agents, and the New Rules of Discovery
Web Summit's Casey Lau on Why China is Moving Faster Than Anyone Realizes
Invite Chris to speak
Keynotes, panels, workshops and executive briefings — in person or virtual, worldwide.
Get in touch →What people say
Chris and his team pulled off the most innovative, high-impact campaigns I have ever been associated with, while I was running multimedia at Nokia. The work they did won awards, improved our business — and became the template for social media in China.
Totem is one of the most innovative digital agencies in China. They have been at the leading edge of rapid development and change on social media, mobile and brand strategy — and China is a market that requires partners who lead innovation.