Leadership & Growth

Sessions

• The Marketing Society Changemakers Conference: Challenge Breakfast

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Michelle FroahGlobal Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, SVP of Corporate SolutionsETS
  • Sophie DevonshireCEOThe Marketing Society

  Changemakers: Challenge is a call to action for marketers to not only adapt, but to lead and drive the change that is needed in today’s world. This year’s theme is CHALLENGE – something we all face, from professional to personal. But challenge isn’t just an obstacle – it’s an opportunity. We’ll dive deep into the stories of those who have answered the challenge to change. You’ll discover fresh viewpoints, creative concepts and thinking that will help you excel, create positive impact and ignite your full potential.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 5:30AM EDT30minIn person

• Uncomfortable Conversation. The Next Era of the CMO

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Nandini NandakumarGlobal Marketing Director, SmirnoffDiageo
  • Zach PeikonManaging DirectorHeller
  • George HammerGlobal Head of Luxury MarketingMarriott International
  • Michelle FroahGlobal Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, SVP of Corporate SolutionsETS

  Is it Time to Redefine the Role? The remit of the modern marketing leader is expanding rapidly – and so are the expectations from boards, CEOs, and teams. Once seen primarily as brand stewards and storytellers, today’s CMOs are being called to do much more: drive innovation, shape customer experience, unlock new revenue streams, and lead with data-driven foresight.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 6:00AM EDT30minIn person

• Seeing Gen Z: Closing the gap between visibility and authenticity

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Jo ShoesmithVP Global Chief Creative OfficerAmazon
  • Jon EvansChief Customer OfficerSystem1

  Gen Z is the most visible generation in advertising today, appearing in 93% of U.S. ads and 78% of U.K. ads. But despite their presence on screen, their stories often lack depth and relevance. Current portrayals focus heavily on friendship, family, and sport, while critical topics like mental health, self-image, and financial pressure are rarely shown. This is not a case of underrepresentation, but of misrepresentation.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 6:30AM EDT25minIn person

• I am Different

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Michelle FroahGlobal Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, SVP of Corporate SolutionsETS
  • Rich TingActor
  • Tim WangFounderTDW+Co
  • Tim WalshShowrunner

  An open and honest conversation that pushes past surface-level inclusion and explores how we can truly shift narratives when we question what we show, how we show it and who gets to tell the story. Working together on Amazon Prime’s series ‘On Call’, actor Rich Ting and showrunner Tim Walsh will share their story around the power of conscious relationships and how the care and attention to authenticity can also drive engagement.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 6:55AM EDT25minIn person

• Creators, Culture, and the AI Challenge

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Jarren BarbozaCreator
  • Marina IngvarssonCreator
  • Suresh RajChief Growth OfficerM+C Saatchi

  The rise of the creator economy has reshaped how ideas spread, how communities form, and how culture is made. Now, with AI accelerating creativity and changing the rules of engagement, both creators and brands face a new challenge: how to stay authentic, relevant, and trusted in a world of infinite content.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 7:20AM EDT25minIn person

• Yes, And to Challenge: Improvisational Agility for Changemakers

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Tamara NolteFacilitator, DesignerThe Second City

  In a world where marketers must respond to impossible deadlines, shifting trends, and constant disruption, challenge is the new normal, and improvisers are experts at thriving in the unknown. In this interactive keynote from Second City Works, we’ll explore how the foundational skills of improvisation can empower creative professionals to meet challenge not with resistance, but with readiness.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 7:45AM EDT25minIn person

• The Price of Trust: How Challenger Brands Redefine Loyalty

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Raphael BouquillonSVP, Account ManagementSPCSHP
  • Andrea GilmanChief Marketing OfficerZelle¬Æ and Paze¬Æ

  When it comes to money, trust is everything. Many consumers still turn to banks and credit unions over Big Tech, but challenger brands are reshaping what loyalty looks like. In this conversation we will explore how creativity, rapid experimentation, and agile thinking can help brands find new opportunities, empower customers, and stay relevant in a crowded market.

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 8:10AM EDT25minIn person

• Under the Spotlight

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Helena VerellenCMOThe Second City
  • Wendy KulaMost recently, VP, North America Women's Brand MarketingNike

  In our ‘Under the Spotlight’ series we invite top business leaders for an honest, no holds barred conversation in a relaxed and intimate setting. Provocative (where necessary) and searching, the aim is to dig deeper into their personal experiences to understand what lead them to becoming the person and leader they are today. We aim to uncover the untold stories, the challenges they have faced and overcome, brave decisions that had to be taken, and understanding how we as leaders can make a positive impact

  Presented by

  Thu 10/9 • 8:35AM EDT25minIn person

• The AD Club NY Young Pro Conversations With: AI and the Human Touch Edition

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Khari MotayneVice PresidentCMI Media Group
  • Paolo ProvincialiHead of Paid MediaLinkedIn

  AI and the Human Touch: A Candid Career Conversation

  AI is rewriting the rules of advertising and media-but what does it mean for your career? In this 30-minute fireside chat, an exceptional young professional sits down with an industry leader to talk openly about how AI is reshaping creativity, the skills that matter most, and the ethical choices leaders can’t ignore. Expect real talk, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on thriving in an AI-driven world.

  Thu 10/9 • 9:10AM EDT1hourIn person

• Respect as a Strategic Growth Driver

  Scale Up Lounge

  • Leadership & Growth

  • Dovilƒó BuinickaitƒóVP Human ResourcesAdform
  • Lana McGilvrayFounder and CEOPurpose Worldwide and Co-Chair of ANA Council for Brand Purpose
  • Lola BakareInclusive Marketing Strategist at be/co and Author of Responsible Marketing: How To Create An Authentic & Inclusive Marketing Strategybe/co

  Respect isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a powerful business advantage. When organizations intentionally cultivate respect, they create an environment where ideas are exchanged freely, collaboration deepens, and innovation thrives. Leaders who model respect help teams navigate conflict constructively, reduce turnover, and build trust across all levels of the company. This session explores how respect, when woven into strategy, becomes a true catalyst for sustainable growth.

  Thu 10/9 • 10:40AM EDT30minIn person