In today’s hyper-connected and fragmented marketplace, brands struggle to cut through the noise, build genuine engagement, and achieve sustained relevance. While the power of cultural alignment is intuitively understood, its direct correlation to tangible business outcomes has, until now, remained largely unquantified. This panel will unveil robust, data-driven insights that definitively tie cultural relevance to measurable business impact, proving that culturally resonant brands are not merely relevant – they are the market leaders driving superior effectiveness and tangible growth. Discover how to precisely identify and strategically engage with pivotal cultural moments and communities, equipping you with proven strategies to not only resonate authentically but demonstrably boost your brand’s bottom line.

Speakers:

– Candace Payne, VP Brand Marketing, Sephora
– Phil Cook, CMO, WNBA
– Laura Dyer, SVP of Global Marketing, SharkNinja
– Jim Mollica, President, Luxury Audio & Chief Marketing Officer, Bose

Moderator:

– Allison Cirullo, Global Chair, Consumer and Brand, Burson Group

Let’s face it, the world’s in freefall right now, and the political and social climate is almost impossible to navigate. Cultural relevance is still a shortcut to brand growth, but are marketers getting lazy, clunky, and thoughtless in how they engage with communities? How much are they hijacking culture vs. moving it forward? And perhaps most importantly, how much permission do brands have to take a stand? Join us for a passionate discussion as we debate – and vote – on how well brands and marketers are doing right now.

Speakers:

– Suhayl Limbada, CMO, KFC India
– Burçak Simsek, Global Marketing Lead, Women’s Health, Bayer
– Charles Besson, Global Entertainment & Content Creative Acceleration Director, L’Oréal 

Moderator:

– Thomas Bunn, Global Chief Client Impact Officer, Zeno Group

As digital fatigue grows, brands are rethinking what meaningful human connection actually looks like in an AI-powered world. While some are using immersive technologies to create more responsive and participatory experiences, others are moving in the opposite direction – embracing offline design, intentional presence and analog interaction as the antidote to always-on culture.
This session explores the growing tension between AI-enabled experiences and human-first design, unpacking how brands are rebuilding participation in physical spaces. From immersive retail and live events to phone-free activations and community-led experiences, discover the different ways brands are redefining connection IRL.

Speakers:

– Cheryl Guerin, EVP Global Brand Strategy, Mastercard
– Heidi Ware, Executive Creative Director, North America Stores, Amazon
– Judy Lee, Sr. Managing Director, House of Creative, Pinterest
– Nina Walsh, Business Development Leader for Media & Entertainment, Games & Sport, AWS

Moderator:

– Bonnie Preece, EVP, Group Account Director, Monks

We workshop cultural relevance and the associated growth opportunities in real time with brand and industry experts. A one-hour culture lab session where we work through as many issues as we can and emerge with proper, practical solutions. At our villa oasis, you’ll feel like part of the solution.

Speakers:

– Sally Barton, Director, Marketing Growth Strategy, US, Mondelēz International
– Paige Grossman, VP of Global Brand & Creative, Ancestry
– Lola Bakare, CMO Advisor & Inclusive Marketing Strategist, Author
– Joel Marlinarson, Founder, Creator & Social Strategist, Coldest Creative

Moderator:

– Spencer Fox, Founder, FOX. Creative Excellence Advisory

Are we over-exaggerating the erosion of culture, or is it a real thing? AI is undeniably the new reality, but how can brands be part of the solution to ensure that society doesn’t sleepwalk through life, that consumers look up beyond their feeds, and that brands create standout moments in a sea of sameness? Hear brand leaders’ stances on how AI will impact their cultural marketing strategy, their brand, and their responsibility to customers.

Speakers:

– Brandon Lentino, Chief Creative Officer, Viral Nation
– Yasmin O’Neal, Global Brand Senior Director, DECIEM
– Elizabeth Preis, Chief Marketing & Customer Officer, Victoria’s Secret & Co.

Moderator:

– Christine Cruz-Clarke, General Manager, Beauty & Wellbeing, Unilever

From the World Cup to the Olympics, the Super Bowl to F1, mega-sports moments generate enormous cultural energy – but for marketers, the spike is the easy part. The harder question is what comes after, especially with Gen Z, a generation deeply engaged with tentpole moments yet skeptical of the brands trying to reach them through it. This conversation debates what it actually takes to convert a cultural moment into a lasting relationship with the most discerning consumer generation alive.

Speakers:

– Ali Payne, CMO, Heineken USA
– Ricardo Aspiazu, SVP – Creative & Brand Design, Verizon
– Stevie Archer, CCO, M+C Saatchi North America
– Michael Nyman, Founder & CEO, Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC)

Moderator:

– E.J. Schultz, News Editor, Ad Age

Culture-led campaigns are one thing. Brands that are culturally disruptive in their DNA are another. Hear how business and brand leaders are thinking beyond the marketing plan cycle to grow brands that positively impact the world through their very essence, presence, and purpose. What does it take to build and scale brands that are culturally disruptive and challenge the status quo, and how can we learn from their playbook? This session will look at brands that are making people’s lives richer, better, and more interesting.

Speakers:

– Sona Iliffe-Moon, Chief Communications Officer, Yahoo
– Catherine Ferdon, CMO, Coinbase
– Alex Weller, Global VP of Creative, Patagonia

Moderator:

– Lia Haberman, Founder, ICYMI

Gstaad Guy has made a career dissecting what’s authentic in culture. Paul Wachter has made one investing in it and building companies around it. Together, they get candid about authenticity, character, and how the best businesses get built.

Speakers:

– Gstaad Guy, Creator & Founder, Poubel
– Paul Wachter, Founder & CEO, Main Street Advisors

Moderator:

– Charlotte Williams, Co-Founder & Chief Content Officer, Brands&Culture