The World Marketing Summit (WMS) founder Professor Dr Philip Kotler's wife has undergone a hip surgery, prompting the marketing guru to miss the World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013 (WMSM 2013).

However, the WMSM 2013, a three day event, gathering the most innovative marketing minds in the world, is set to continue as planned.

Kotler apologised for his absense in a media statement.

“I am sorry for my absence at this wonderful WMSM 2013, as my wife has just undergone surgery on her hip on September 17, 2013. She will need four to six weeks to get full mobility back, during which I need to help her physically and emotionally,” he said.

Kotler also sent his best wishes to the WMSM 2013 and the delegates attending it.

"Your presence here says that you are the kind of person who cares deeply about the problems in the world and the need to find a solution.

"The World Marketing Summit has as its purpose the development of solutions to the problems of poverty, hunger, pollution, violence and social disorder,” he said in the statement.

The dialogue-filled, “think-tank” congregation of minds, will see an acclaimed cast of international thought leaders and speakers.

The WMSM 2013 aims to revolutionise the way people think, live and act as individuals within their community, nation and the global context.

The Summit in 2013 will be held from 28th to 30th September 2013 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) and is expected to draw up to 2,500 delegates and a stellar list of marketing world leaders.

More information about the Summit can be found at www.wmsmalaysia.org