It's No Fluke

As a thought leader on all things social media, Maren Hamilton has consistently driven community engagement for brands like The North Face, Starbucks and most recently Popfly. She holds a master's degree in Digital Media from the University of Washington and is a public speaker on social media strategy, creator marketing, and digital trends. When she's not on TikTok, you can find her on the trail or paddling the river with her pups.

Oksana Matviichuk partners with executive teams to adapt business models to the AI age, ensuring they remain relevant, resilient, and sustainable. She is the Founder & CEO of WBENC-certified OM Strategic Forecasting, a Forbes Agency Council member, and a three-time “Top Women Leaders of New York” honoree by Women We Admire. Oksana designs AI-native business models, operating standards, and decision systems. Her OM Sustainable Growth Assessment benchmarks a company across four verticals: Reputation, Relevance, Resilience, and AI & Automation Readiness, and OM Strategy scales organizations with clarity and control. She speaks on operationalizing AI while keeping human agency at the core.

Destiny K. Chambers is a seasoned marketing executive with a strategic approach to driving brand awareness and market leadership. With over 13 years of experience, she has a proven record of not just steering marketing initiatives, but igniting brand growth and achieving measurable business outcomes. Most recently, as Vice President and Head of Marketing at /prompt., she leveraged this expertise to spearhead the unification of marketing strategies across /prompt., Lippe Taylor and twelvenote, driving a cohesive vision for the agency's future.Chambers has a dynamic background in leading successful agency marketing campaigns at renowned organizations such as Young & Rubicam, WPP, and VML, consistently driving impactful large-scale activations both nationally and globally. Her influence extends beyond individual campaigns; she actively contributes to the direction of the marketing landscape as a member of the prestigious LIONS/ANA CMO Growth Council and the Forbes Communications Council. Previously, she shaped industry conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion as Chair of the New York Festivals Advertising Awards' DE&I Advisory Board.Further showcasing her commitment to societal improvement, Chambers is a former Youth Empowerment Program leader and proud alumna of Urban Underground, where she supported youth-led social justice campaigns. As a skilled public speaker and writer, she has shared her insights and expertise at prominent events such as Cannes Lions, Advertising Week NY, AfroTech, and WAATBP and featured in distinguished publications such as Forbes, Adweek, Ad Forum, Ad Age, PR Week, Campaign Brief, and Little Black Book.

Marissa Rosen is the Founder, Owner, and Principal Consultant of Climate Social, a boutique communications agency she launched in 2015 to help impact-driven organizations and leaders share their stories and drive meaningful change. Her work spans public relations, social media, branding, copywriting, and creative campaigns that strengthen community engagement and inspire action. In addition to advising clients, Marissa has built her own thought leadership through writing, speaking, and media appearances across the climate, energy, and sustainability space.

As the Vice President, Global Head of Growth at Amazon's Audible, Bolong Li spearheads cross-functional teams dedicated to fostering sustained growth and enhancing customer experiences across diverse platforms.Before his tenure at Audible, Bolong accrued two years of experience at Apple, where he concentrated on Business Development and Retail Management. His career trajectory began in the financial industry, leveraging his educational background in finance from both undergraduate and graduate studies.Beyond his professional roles, Bolong contributes to academia by teaching business and marketing courses at Columbia University.

Lauren Danis brings nearly three decades of experience to Eventbrite, where she serves as the Chief Brand & Communications Officer, overseeing the global integrated brand and communications team which includes brand marketing, creative, social media, community, brand content and global internal and external communications. Prior to Eventbrite, Lauren was the VP of Communications at Ancestry where she led all global brand and product communications, social media and influencer relations. Lauren also spent over a decade at leading global public relations firm Weber Shandwick where she worked on many of the firm's marquee accounts including Mondelēz International, Unilever, Motorola, Nestlé, Abbott, and one of the most iconic American campaigns in recent memory – “got milk?” Early in her career, Lauren held communications roles at Hyatt, travel start-up e.Gulliver.com, and Edelman after graduating from the esteemed Northwestern School of Communication and Media Studies. Currently, she brings her integrated brand-building expertise to Eventbrite in an effort to help advance the company vision and reputation amongst various stakeholders including Britelings, consumers, event organizers, brand partners and investors. In her spare time, you can find Lauren reading a good book, finding her zen on her yoga mat, taking a long walk with her husband and dog, or experimenting in the kitchen with a new recipe.

Sherilyn is the Founder & Global CEO of The Marketing Academy – a unique non-profit organisation dedicated to developing leadership talent in Marketing, Media&Advertising. The Marketing Academy opened in 2010, bringing together some of the world's best known & popular brands to provide world-class learning for all levels of talent from emerging leaders to CMOs. Their highly respected Scholarship and Fellowship programs are delivered in the UK, EMEA, USA, Australia & APAC.  When she gets the chance, she writes about talent development and all things ‘leadership' featuring in many articles in The Sunday Times, FastCo, Telegraph, AdNews, Marketing Week, AdWeek, MarketingMagazine, Management Today and CMO.com. She has been frequently recognised for her work; receiving the CIM Women in Marketing 'Special Award for Contribution to Marketing', inducted into the Courvoisier Future 500, invited to join the Marketing Group of Great Britain, identified as one of the UK's Vision 100 by Adobe and included in AdNews Top 50 list of most powerful influencers in Australia. 

Dr. Karen Sutherland is a multi-award winning educator and author from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. As a Certified AI Consultant and Director of Dharana Digital Marketing Agency, Dr. Sutherland specializes in using AI for strategic marketing and communication. In addition to designing and delivering training and workshops globally for over a decade, her research spans AI in strategic communication, B2B relationships, social media pedagogy and practice. She has authored two editions of her book 'Strategic Social Media Management – Theory and Practice' Palgrave Macmillan, downloaded more than 170k times, 'Transmedia Brand Storytelling - Immersive Experiences from Theory to Practice' Palgrave Macmillan, and 'Public Relations and Strategic Communication', Oxford University Press. Her latest book, '⁠Artificial Intelligence for Strategic Communication⁠,' , Palgrave Macmillan, has been adopted across 20+ countries. Dr. Sutherland has featured in global media including  the Wall Street Journal, Euro News AAP, ABC, Nine, Sky News and has been Ticker's AI and social media expert for the past five years. 

Anthony Delconte has 15 years of experience working across traditional and creator media ecosystems.He started his career at a video news startup during what he'll claim was the second pivot-to-video era (c. 2011), helping the company transform from a video hub to a syndication service and ultimately a white-label distribution tool.From there, he went to CNBC, where he joined a team responsible for managing distribution deals after business development signed them. He worked across editorial, product, and sales to drive additional revenue and reach.He then worked for Panda Global, an esports team, where he oversaw the company's creator initiative. The program was designed to identify rising stars (think VC coin-flipping for creators) while supporting the brand's event and merchandize operations, as well as building out digital video inventory.He later returned to traditional media, first at Men's Journal and most recently at Entrepreneur, where he oversees the social team and partnerships with creators designed to guide users into and down the funnel.He's also led an expansion to leverage those creator and influencer capabilities for Entrepreneur's partners and advertisers.

With more than 15 years of experience in the purpose and impact space, Whitney Dailey is a thought leader at the intersection of purpose and communications. At Allison, Whitney serves as Managing Director, Purpose and leads the agency's Purpose Center of Excellence – a dedicated team specializing in Purpose brand strategy and impact leadership, backed by Allison's global network of more than 1,000+ creatives and storytellers. She has personally authored upwards of 400 articles and 30 research reports on sustainability, social justice, and social impact topics and shared her message from the digital wavelengths of myriad podcasts, the lectern at Harvard University the stage of Sundance and Fordham's Responsible Business and Future Fashion Coalitions. In her previous role as Senior Vice President of Purpose Marketing, Research & Insights at Porter Novelli, Whitney transformed the agency into a Purpose-driven organization through powerful thought leadership, communications and marketing. Whitney holds an MBA in Environmental Management from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and a BA in Business Administration from the George Washington University. She also earned an MBA Certificate in Clean Energy and Sustainability from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is a frequent guest lecturer at colleges and universities including Boston College, Boston University and Simmons College and was an adjunct professor at Boston College during the 2022-2023 school year. Whitney was named a Top 100 Giving Influencer on Twitter by Give Local America in 2015 and in 2019, was a finalist for PR News Platinum Awards PR Professional of the Year. In 2024, she was named to the PRWeek Women of Distinction List. 

Traci DeForge, founder of Produce Your Podcast, an award-winning full-service production and audience growth marketing agency, is recognized as an international podcast expert, sought-after speaker, and media contributor. The creator of the Podcast Management Academy, the industry's only certified podcast manager training program, PodHive, and Co-Founder of the Podcast Professionals Association.  Traci hosts the Growth Accelerator Podcast, and co-hosts the popular Ask Brien Radio Show in Los Angeles.  She's been featured on all three major networks, including CNN, CTV, American Express Open, and RadioINK. She is also a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This is way more than just our first annual predictions episode. Victoria Bachan is the SVP, Creators at Wasserman. Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music, entertainment and culture, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Nashville, Chicago, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney.Formerly the Global President of Sixteenth, Victoria oversaw a team of 43 managers and over 300 diverse Creators, while spearheading the company's global expansion efforts.  Victoria and her team collaborated with some of today's brightest Creators, including People's Choice Award winner Doug the Pug, visual artist and best-selling author Adam J. Kurtz, Crypto and Gen Z Finance expert Taylor Price, best-selling author and gamer Kelsey Dangerous and the Nami Matcha Founder and CEO, Ashley Alexander. Previously her team was instrumental in launching two groundbreaking TikTok Creator houses, “The Crib Around the Corner” for Black content creators, and “Familia Fuego” for Latinx talent. In 2023, she also helped Doug the Pug launch Nonipup, a human-grade all-natural pet care brand. Under her leadership, 61% of the Sixteenth roster proudly identified as BIPOC, reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion. When Victoria isn't paving the way for prominent creators, she mentors South Asian executives and talent as a member of The Salon and supports fundraising efforts for Play Inspired.

Enoma is a seasoned expert in social media and influencer marketing with a proventrack record of creating internationally recognized, award-winning campaigns.As the Head of Social at SEK, Enoma leads the social media and influencer marketing unit at SEK, where she social 1st creativity, spearheads business development, new business and directs a dedicated team. She has collaborated with some of Finland's largest brands, providing consultancy on 360-degree digital brand experiences encompassing social media strategy, brand development, and influencer marketing. Enoma frequently shares her expertise at major branding, social media, and influencer marketing events. Her contributions have beenhonoured with awards at Cannes Lions, SABRE Awards, Finnish Comms Awards, and GrandOne. She has also served as a judge for prestigious global competitions such as Eurobest, GrandOne, TikTok Awards Nordic, and The Young Ones Competition.

Evan Horowitz is the co-founder and CEO of Movers+Shakers, a creative agency with numerous industry accolades and awards from Ad Age, Adweek, Fast Company, Digiday, Cannes Lions, among others. Movers+Shakers revolutionizes social media marketing, specializing in connecting brands with culture and generating unprecedented brand love among Gen Z and Millennials. With over 250 billion views, their campaigns include TikTok's most viral content, the first TikTok-native reality show, and iconic brand collaborations like e.l.f. x Chipotle.Evan's 20-year career includes roles at Fortune 500 companies like Samsung and Macy's. He's coached leaders, grown multimillion-dollar business units, and made strides in social justice campaigns. Evan holds an MBA from Harvard and a BS in Engineering from Stanford. A respected thought leader, he's spoken at numerous events hosted by WWD, Glossy, Advertising Week, and ANA and is often quoted in the industry's most coveted publications. 

Brooks Miller is Executive Vice President of Creator Marketing at Edelman and United Entertainment Group. Prior, Brooks spent nearly 8 years at Twitter, where she helped build their creator marketing discipline from the ground up, partnering with creators and brands across every platform and every vertical. She started her career as an account manager agency-side at 72andSunny and Barrett Hofherr (formerly barrettSF). Her work has won at Cannes, the One Show, the Clios, the Shorty Awards and has been recognized in AdWeek and Adage. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son & perfect basset hound, Dirk Nowitzki.

Maeher Bawa is a 3x Shorty Award–winning Social Media & Partnerships Consultant who helps early-stage lifestyle, beauty, and parenting brands build full-rounded partnership programs that drive awareness and growth. She specializes in developing and scaling influencer strategies, with an emphasis on product exchange collaborations that deliver real impact for startups working with lean budgets.

Kim Chackal is the Co-Owner and VP of Sales and Marketing at Equifruit. Over the past decade she has  established Equifruit as the North American market leader for Fairtrade-certified bananas and her sights  are set on Global Fairtrade Banana Domination. Her fearless and bold approach is making waves in the  produce industry. In 2021, Kim was recognized as “Produce Person of the Year” by the Ontario Produce  Marketing Association. In 2022, she was recognized on The Packer 25 list which highlights leaders,  innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. In 2024, Grocery Business  Magazine selected her as an Outstanding Women in Produce and The Packer recognized her as the  Produce Marketer of the Year. In 2025, the Globe and Mail listed Equifruit as one of the Top Growing  Women-Led Companies in Canada. With 20 years of sales experience, she loves challenging people to  rethink their consumption habits and consider Fairtrade as a sustainable solution in produce.

Tina Maher is the SVP of Client Services & Branded Franchise Management at Hartbeat — the global, multi-platform entertainment company creating content and experiences at the intersection of comedy and culture. With a mission to keep the world laughing together, Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces content across platforms; connects with audiences worldwide through its expansive distribution network; and partners with leading brands to co-create award-winning IP.Tina is one of the key figures behind Hartbeat's long-standing partnership with P&G and Old Spice/Gillette for Cold As Balls, Kevin Hart's hit athlete interview series which recently wrapped its 12th season. Shot in front of a live audience, the season featured conversations with some of today's biggest sports stars, including Tom Brady, Victor Wembanyama, CeeDee Lamb, CM Punk, and Ja'Marr Chase.  With more than 2 billion views to date — and P&G/Old Spice remaining the presenting sponsor since day one — Cold As Balls is a signature example of Tina and Hartbeat's ability to bring an entertainment-first approach to brand storytelling.

As a Hollywood screenwriter Michael Ashley sold the hit Halloween movie Girl Vs Monster to Disney—which launched a successful kids' toy line. Before this, he worked in development for the head of the literary department at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the biggest talent agency in the world. Pivoting to literary publishing, he now owns and operates a creative content agency, turning his clients thought leaders by writing their books, articles, and speeches.Michael has co-written 5 books on AI, including Own the AI Revolution, published by McGraw Hill and Neuromined: Triumphing Over Tyranny, named best technology book of the year by Indie Awards. The creator of The AI Philosopher podcast/Substack, Michael serves as a Forbes columnist on AI. His writing has been featured in Fox Sports, Entertainment Weekly, the United Nations' ITU News, and Yahoo! Finance. Michael also helps companies make the leap to AI by providing hands-on integration. If you want to literally touch grass we mention Travis Johnson's company in this episode:https://www.northwestsurvivalschool.com/

Sarah Crow is a brand marketer turned creator-strategy leader with nearly a decade of experience in DTC. As the first hire at ALOHA Collection, she helped grow the brand from zero to a multi-million-dollar lifestyle business over five years. She later shifted into the influencer-marketing software world, where she has advised hundreds of brands on creator programs, 360 marketing, and performance strategy. Today, Sarah leads Creator Strategy at Superfiliate, partnering with brands and shaping product direction to ensure influencer marketers have the tools they actually need, not the ones the industry thinks they need.

Rudi Anggono is the Global Head of Creative at Snap and previously the Head of Creative Innovation at the LEGO Group, leading its integrated creative team within Product and Marketing Development and collaborating with Creative Play Lab on new product ideas. With a career spanning advertising, product design, and research, he has shaped iconic global brands and experiences. Formerly Global Executive Creative Director at Beyond X and Google Commerce UX, his patented design work influenced Google Travel and sustainability initiatives recognized by Sundar Pichai at the UN. Previously Head of Creative at Google ZOO and Executive Creative Director at TBWAParis for Nissan Europe, Rudi's award-winning work includes Cannes Lions, EFFIEs, and an Emmy Award.

Kirsten Ludwig is a brand builder, cultural curator and thought leader. She is the Founder of IN GOOD CO, a global brand consultancy igniting challenger brands with fearless positioning. She built her reputation as an influential creative in the fashion and retail space. Leading brands Ralph Lauren, Anthropologie, American Eagle Outfitters, Fred Segal, Stella and Dot and others to stand out. Kirsten is the co-host of GOOD THINKING podcast, a top trend, brand and marketing Substack and Lit From Within, a high vibrational podcast (complete with the woo-woo).She's been featured in Forbes, judged Cannes Lions, is a frequent speaker stages including, SXSW, Brands & Culture, Worthy Women and Creative Week and is a bold voice on LinkedIn. She Co-Hosts Breakfast Club LA and is a member of invite-only communities, THE BOARD, Sunday Dinner and Intro.A lover of life, constant optimist and wellness nut. She lives in LA like every ex-New Yorker as a thriving single mom with two kids, Hudson and Sailor.

Greg Swan, Senior Partner, FINN Partners, fuses insight, culture, and tech to help brands tell stories that stick. At FINN Partners he leads digital and creative strategy across social, content, PR, AI, and emerging platforms. He also writes the weekly newsletter Social Signals and is co-host of The Cave Project podcast, exploring the tensions of tech, culture, and life as they intersect. Ask him about his fax machine. Or just fax him: 316-854-0132.

Ryann Carr is the founder of RiseWave Media, a creative growth agency built for the new era of digital storytelling. She's worked alongside some of the most influential creators in the world and brings that same high-level perspective to every project, whether guiding an emerging voice finding their footing or helping an established brand refine its edge.She doesn't just study trends; she lives them, shaping strategies and brand identities that resonate across platforms and audiences. From the spark of an idea to the systems that carry it forward, she has built a company that does it all: talent sourcing, content optimization, social strategy, and full-scale brand development. Based in Georgia with her three boys, Ryann is building both a company and a life rooted in creativity, resilience, and vision. Through RiseWave Media, she continues to shape the future of digital influence, helping creators not just rise but lead.

Lewis Williams is an accomplished Creative Director and Brand Storyteller who's enjoyed great success at two of Chicago's most iconic agencies—Leo Burnett and Burrell Communications, where he served as Chief Creative Officer. Most recently, Lewis had expanded his skillset even further as the EVP, Head of Brand Impact for global PR giant Weber Shandwick.Across 3 decades of his Total Market and Multicultural consumer marketing experience, Lewis has partnered with CMO's of some of the world's best-known brands. Toyota, McDonald's, Walt Disney World, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, The U.S. Army, Disney, American Airlines and Procter and Gamble to name a few. And Lewis has continually brought his client partners strategically driven, award-winning creative that's enabled great brands to establish and maintain strong emotional bonds with their customers.Lewis' work has been recognized by virtually every creative award show on the planet. And his opinion is so respected that he serves on the Creative Review Committee for The Ad Council. He's also served on the prestigious Cannes Lion Jury—including as a member of Cannes Lions 70—Glass: The Lion for Change.Most recently Lewis launched the podcast series OGs AND AUNTIES. The series highlights Advertising Legends that have shaped culture, shifted narratives and launched movements.

Christine Göös is a marketing leader and B2B creator who lives at the intersection of brand, culture, and the internet. She's helped tech and creative agencies tell stories that drive growth, working with companies like Smartly, Celtra, Billion Dollar Boy, and more. She currently runs US marketing for Croud, an independent media, data, and creative agency group.A two-time Young Lions contestant turned LinkedIn creator, Christine co-hosts House of Content, a podcast exploring the creator economy, viral marketing, and internet culture. Her work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, The One Show, and Top Women in Marketing, and she's part of the Hero100 Creator List and AWNewYork Big Creator Challenge shortlist.

Hafu Go started as a college student with nothing but curiosity and a camera. Today, his platform reaches over 15 million followers and 5 billion views, making him one of the most influential Asian voices in digital media. He has redefined the edutainment genre by blending spectacle with substance. Through bold experiments, unforgettable storytelling, and partnerships with global brands to showcase innovation, he inspires millions. Hafu Go reminds the world that learning doesn't stop at graduation.

Bita Jedo has 9+ years experience in the creator economy, spanning global platforms (TikTok), consumer tech (Bumble) and creative agencies (Dentsu), leading partnerships with globally recognised talent including Barry Keoghan, Aaron Pierre and Amelia Dimoldenberg. She also sits on advisory boards for VidCon, Global Influencer Council, Soho House, and is a judge for the bcreator & Shorty awards. She has recently been named in Forbes 30 under 30 and the Future is Female award.

Keely Cat-Wells is the Founder and CEO of Making Space, a platform that has supported over 10,000 Disabled professionals in building meaningful careers. Under her leadership, Making Space made history by training and placing the first-ever Disabled hosts on NBC Sports' Paralympics broadcast. Other partners include Indeed, Netflix, and Visa. Keely also co-founded Making Space Media, a division producing film and TV content centering Disabled voices, securing a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine. Notably, their documentary “Fight To Fly” exposed the inequalities that Disabled travellers face, triggering policy reform. Before Making Space, Keely founded C Talent, an agency that reshaped disability representation in media and grew a roster reaching more than 50 million people. Acquired in 2022, C Talent became the largest acquisition of a company specializing in Disabled talent. Keely is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a Diana Award recipient, and has served on the advisory board of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. She currently sits on the Los Angeles City Major Event Advisory Council, Human Rights Watch LA Committee and holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever Presidential Leadership Scholar. Additionally, she is an Obama Leader USA, White House Mental Health Youth Action Forum Leader, and inaugural Gloria Steinem Fellow.

Megan Lightcap is a Partner at Slow Ventures, where she helped build, and now leads, the Creator Fund alongside Sam Lessin since 2022. Before joining Slow, Megan held roles at L Catterton, J.P. Morgan, Olive, and others — bringing a strong foundation in finance and consumer investing and operations to her expertise.Megan also writes Slow Upload, a newsletter exploring trends in the creator economy and how creators can scale their businesses by cultivating deeper, more durable relationships with their audiences.Megan focuses on backing creators who are best-in-class in their category — those with high engagement, real influence, and a clear vision for building businesses that go beyond content. These creators are building enterprises powered by community trust, content and media, and long-term ambition.

Paul Brown is an expert at the intersection of creative strategy and technology. He is a Global Client Partner at London-based CreativeX, where he works at the forefront of creative AI. He guides global giants like Mars, Colgate-Palmolive, and Bayer, helping them make their advertising more effective by unlocking the power of creative data. Paul is also passionate about mentorship, and is an Industry Advisor for the Marketing and PR degree at the University of West London.CreativeX recently released their study "Are Creators Really Effective", which outlined how brands can unlock more effectiveness from creator content, and their annual "Gender in Advertising Report" which shows how much and in what way women are being represented in digital advertising.Before joining CreativeX, Paul had a front-row seat to the startup world as the 6th employee and Head of Customer Success at Spirable, a data-driven creative platform that was acquired in 2021. His journey in the industry began in client-facing roles at top creative agencies, including Ogilvy and TMW, giving her/him a deep understanding of what makes brands and their stories succeed.

Fiona Frills is a Gen Z founder, creator, & storyteller passionate about building community-driven brands and tools that empower the next generation.She started Frilliance at 13 after struggling with acne and realizing how many beauty products were packed with harsh ingredients. Today, Frilliance is available worldwide at major retailers like CVS, Amazon, SuperDrug and TikTok Shop, serving a vibrant teen community that values self-expression & real conversations around beauty.She is also the Co-Founder of Aurelia, an AI-powered platform giving micro-influencers smarter tools to pitch, grow, and get paid. Deeply passionate about Gen Z empowerment, teen innovation, creator economy, & building products that actually make a difference, Frills is quickly ascending.

Jeff Frommer is a tech entrepreneur and investor, known for founding MALKA, an adaptive content studio, which he sold to MoneyLion in 2021 for $75M. Frommer's career has spanned close to 20 years, and he continually strives to positively impact the lives of those around him. His professional experience includes working in technology, the creator economy, talent management, content production, and investing in various-stage startups. Through MALKA, Frommer previously produced eight feature films for Netflix, Amazon, and Showtime, as well as ran some of the largest digital shows, including Mike Tyson's Hotboxin, All the Smoke with Barnes and Stack, and Kevin Garnett Certified.  He spent more than five years at Adobe, leading the Digital Publishing SaaS business. In 2025, he founded and launched OWM, the first creator marketplace platform that helps founders discover, connect with, and activate creators as investors, advisors, and long-term strategic partners.

Xyla Foxlin is an award-winning mechatronics engineer and YouTube creator who shares the creativity and joy of engineering through a blend of technical skill, craftsmanship, and art. Featuring everything from proving impossible physics demonstrations to building a viable camper in just weeks, to high-power rocketry and organic chemistry. An advocate for women in STEM, she founded Beauty and the Bolt, a nonprofit now operated by Reinvented Inc that taught thousands of kids to use their first power tool and has worked with AAAS as an IF/THEN ambassador. She is also a voice for the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, advocating for the Mental Health in Aviation Act which would allow pilots to seek mental healthcare without losing their careers. The bill passed in the House unanimously in September as is expected to be introduced in the Senate this fall. Based in Los Angeles, she spends her free time flying her 1946 Cessna 140, backpacking, and building big ideas.

Emily Hare is the Global Influencer Lead at Publicis, driving innovation and excellence across influencer, social, and emerging platforms. She leads global client support and growth initiatives, including client education, strategic responses, top-to-top engagements, and collaboration with Global Client Leads (GCLs) for brands such as Haleon, McDonald's, PepsiCo and Mondelez.​ She played a key role in Influential and Captiv8 acquisitions and market rollout, vetting potential companies and working closely with in-market teams to adopt new offerings and go-to-market strategies

Marina Mogilko, known online as Silicon Valley Girl, is a YouTube creator, entrepreneur, and investor with a global community of over 18 million followers. She's the co-founder of LinguaTrip, a language learning startup she launched after immigrating from Russia to the U.S., and now hosts The Silicon Valley Girl Podcast, where she dives into entrepreneurship, AI, money, and the creator economy. Through her content and conversations, Marina helps millions build meaningful careers, grow online, and think like founders.

The Business of Creativity, part of the Whalar Group, launched Beyond Your Limits, a first-of-its-kind 7-week course created in partnership with former Nike Chief Marketing Officer Greg Hoffman. Built for modern Athletes, the program empowers them to confidently express who they are, shape their narrative on their own terms, and unlock opportunities that extend well beyond the game.Greg Hoffman is a global authority on brand leadership, the former Chief Marketing Officer of Nike, and founder of the brand advisory group Modern Arena. Over a 27-year career at Nike, he held senior roles across marketing, design, and innovation, most recently serving as Vice President of Global Brand Innovation, where he led teams exploring the future of storytelling and consumer experience. Today, through Modern Arena, Greg helps brands and leaders build bold, distinctive identities that inspire connection and cultural impact.Ben Lee is an entrepreneur and investor committed to unlocking human potential through creativity. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Business of Creativity, a platform that partners with leading experts to help individuals and organisations harness creativity as a strategic advantage. Previously, Ben was a partner at The Garage Soho where he led investments into a portfolio of early-stage consumer startups, supporting founders as a board member and helping them scale through building distinctive brands. Ben continues to champion creativity as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and cultural impact.

Ayden Syal is the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at MOGL, the leading athlete influencer marketing platform. He has been named to Sports Business Journal's New Voices Under 30 list, has been recognized as a Sports Business Journal NIL Power Player, and won the 2022 SXSW Pitch competition on behalf of MOGL. MOGL was also recognized as part of the Forbes 30 Under 30.Prior to founding MOGL, Ayden held key roles at Morgan Stanley, Lexington Partners, and S&P Global. His diverse professional background has positioned Ayden as a visionary leader in the NIL space, where he is dedicated to helping brands reach Next-Gen audiences at scale and with precision.Ayden graduated from the University of Notre Dame, served on the Young Alumni Board at the University of Notre Dame and is a proud partner of SeeHer and Every Kid Sports.

Diandra Binney is Director of Communications, North America at Xero, a global small business platform that helps owners supercharge their businesses with smart automation, strategic insights and expert support. With nearly 15 years of experience in B2B technology communications, Diandra specializes in building powerful brand narratives that drive market leadership and business results. At Xero, she leads the North American strategy for media relations, executive visibility and corporate reputation across the region. Before joining Xero, held senior roles at several high-growth agencies, where she played a pivotal role in helping clients navigate periods of rapid scaling, funding rounds and new market entry.

Jacques Keyser is the Director of Programming at VidCon, where he leads the strategy and execution of event programming across the US and international markets. With over 15 years of experience in music, entertainment, and the creator economy, he has worked with leading platforms, labels, creators, executives, and global brands. At VidCon, Jacques has helped launch and scale events worldwide, curating industry-leading programming that unites creators, executives, and fans on a global stage. Previously, he held senior roles in talent management and artist development, shaping the careers of top UK digital and music talent while building strategic partnerships across the industry. Jacques also shares insights on the creator economy through his bi-weekly VidCon industry newsletter.

Jessy Grossman is a long time entrepreneur in the digital media space. She's passionate about supporting women in business and being at the forefront of innovation. She's been quoted in the New York Times (again here), Forbes and was awarded a spot in the “Influencer Top 50” by Talking Influence. In less than two years she created one of the fastest growing influencer talent agencies in the country. Amidst unprecedented growth, she sold the multi-six-figure agency and pivoted to focus on her long-time passion project: Women in Influencer Marketing (better known as WIIM). Founded in 2017, WIIM is the premiere professional organization for those who work with influencers. The community offers networking and new business opportunities, career services, continuous education and so much more. Jessy also does consulting, advising and influencer marketing recruiting through her consultancy Tribe Monday. You can find inspiring stories and more about Jessy on the WIIM Podcast. Check out iamwiim.com and tribemonday.com for more information.

Aidan Brannigan is the Founder of No Boring Brands, the content agency making Memes + Skits for Fortune 500 companies, SaaS Unicorns, and legacy brands. They are generating 100s of millions of organic views for their B2B clients via evergreen content and built the largest marketing meme page on IG in less than 2 years. He lost $500k in crypto when he was 20, lost a spam eating contest to Joey Chestnut in front of 14,000 people and can probably hit a 4 hybrid further than you. He spoke at SXSW about memes - is a twin - his mom checks his follower count every day and takes a screenshot, so you better follow or you'll upset her - Featured in AdAge for a skit filmed in his bed.

Julie Alvin is a digital media executive, consultant, editor, and speaker. She has led cross-platform content strategy at brands like Refinery29, TheSkimm, InStyle, Real Simple, and Bustle, and now has her own content strategy and brand marketing consulting practice, taking on clients across fashion, beauty, lifestyle, wellness, tech, politics, and the nonprofit space. She is a former adjunct professor for NYU's master's in publishing program, a founding member of Chief executive women's network, a board Member at FOKO, and a former regular on Fox News.Julie's still very relevant piece in Adweek.

Bill Zimmerman is an assistant teaching professor in the department of advertising and public relations in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State. He's the author of “Understanding the Creator Economy: Making Digital Media Work for You,” published by Kendall Hunt. He teaches courses such as Digital PR and PR Campaigns, and in the spring semester will offer Digital Content and the Creator Economy, a new course launching Penn State's content creator certificate program. Prior to teaching, he worked as a newspaper reporter and public relations professional in higher education. He also holds the Accreditation in Public Relations.

With 15 years' experience spanning some of fashion's most influential global names, including Stella McCartney, Farfetch, and Net-a-Porter, followed by senior roles in both nimble independents and major network agencies, Lucinda Bounsall brings a rare blend of brand-side insight and agency-honed expertise. Her practice is rooted in both doing and thinking, interrogating outdated models and reimagining how strategy is applied for the way modern brands actually operate. The result is a sharper, more culturally attuned approach that bridges big-picture vision with tangible impact.

If you haven't seen the ad just yet, “Driven” kicks off with a high-octane brand campaign starring Chalamet and directed by Oscar-nominee James Mangold (A Complete Unknown, Ford v. Ferrari). The spot blends cinematic flair with automotive innovation, with Chalamet and a bride (played by Larsen Thompson) hijacking the Lucid Gravity SUV from a top-secret desert facility in a two-minute “director's cut.” Akerho “AK” Oghoghomeh is the Senior Vice President & Global Head of Marketing at Lucid Motors, where he's redefining what it means to build a premium brand in the EV space. Known for blending creativity, culture, and strategy, AK has led some of the most transformative campaigns in food, beverage, and now mobility. At Lucid, he's steering global storytelling and cultural partnerships around the launch of the Gravity SUV and beyond.Before Lucid, AK was Chief Marketing Officer at Beyond Meat, where he helped reshape how people think about food, and Senior Vice President of Marketing at Red Bull North America, where he drove record-breaking U.S. growth. From scaling Amazon's recruitment engine to building lifestyle movements with Red Bull, AK thrives on turning bold ideas into brands that inspire.Ian Grody is Chief Creative Officer of Giant Spoon, an independent, integrated agency that expands the ways people experience brands. As the only creative agency on Fast Company's Top 50 Most Innovative Companies 2023 and #1 in its Advertising category, Giant Spoon is known for turning marketing upside down. Obsessed with culture and driven by insatiable curiosity, the agency is composed of teams across creative, media, and strategy to stir shit up for ambitious brands.Leading creative at Giant Spoon, Ian has produced award-winning work for clients like Lucid, Autodesk, HBO, Johnnie Walker, Netflix, Away, Marvel, and Savage x Fenty across offices in New York City and Los Angeles.Over the course of his career, Ian has been named one of Adweek's 100 People Shaping Culture and Media and included on The Drum's 100 Most Awarded Creative Directors in the World. Ian has written superhero shows, dystopian thrillers, and raunchy country musicals for networks like MTV, SyFy, and CMT; optioned features domestically and abroad; and published a graphic novel with AWA Studios and The Tribeca Film Festival.

Latha Sarathy is the founder of SALIENT HQ, a first-of-its-kind research agency and advisory service providing best-in-class, real-world-tested insights and strategic guidance on a fractional basis. In an age of AI, SALIENT HQ is committed to blending human intelligence with rigorous, intentional research to help clients achieve their goals.With over 30 years in media and market research, Latha has held senior leadership roles across blue-chip companies and industry organizations. Most recently, she served as Chief Research Officer at the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), overseeing analytics, insights, and measurement while driving initiatives such as SeeHer.where she laid the groundwork for industry insights and benchmarks in gender equality in media and marketing.Previously, as SVP of Insights & Strategy Activation at Ipsos North America, she managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio of global consumer insights projects for leading media and technology clients. She has also built high-performing research teams at NBCUniversal, Univision, CBS, Disney Publications, Interactive One, and Wenner Media.A frequent industry voice, Latha has presented at Cannes Lions, ANA conferences, Advertising Week, ARF, Comexposium Japan, and CTAM. She has also led strategic workshops for brands including American Express, Walmart, Georgia-Pacific, and General Mills, helping organizations translate insights into innovation and growth.

Jordan Matter is a two-time New York Times bestselling author (Born to Dance and Dancers Among Us) and the most-followed photographer in the world, with nearly 50M followers across socials. As the creator behind the #2 most-watched YouTube channel in the U.S., and the #1 channel for female viewership, he has built a global audience of 31M subscribers and more than 11B views.Jordan's path to becoming one of the most prominent creators in the world began in photography, with his street portraits and dancer series gaining international acclaim and exhibitions across Korea, Moscow, France, Montreal, Chicago, and New York. His work has been featured by The Today Show, BBC, ABC World News, People, The New York Times, and more.At the core of Jordan's storytelling is joy, authenticity, and connection, reflected in his frequent collaborations with his daughter, Salish. Together, they've earned recognition, including People Magazine's Top 50 Creators of 2024, a 2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Family Creator, and a 2025 Webby Award. Salish was also named Kids' Choice Female Creator of the Year in 2025. Jordan and Salish launched their young adult skincare brand, Sincerely Yours, on September 6th in Sephora stores nationwide, further expanding their influence from digital entertainment into consumer products.

Sara Rezaee is Head of Creator Marketing for North America at Edelman, where she leads a best-in-class team of Creator specialists and helps clients across sectors harness the power of the Creator Economy to drive meaningful business impact. With 17+ years of experience in digital and communications, she has shaped DJE's global approach to creator marketing, building deep relationships with creators, agencies, and platforms worldwide. Her award-winning work—recognized by the Webbys, Shortys, Clios, and more—reflects her focus on data-driven, earned-centric, and culturally relevant programs that connect brands.

Vikki Chowney has spent over 20 years shaping how brands create and connect through content - spanning social, partnerships, and influencer strategy. At Burson, she leads the global influencer team, helping protect and build brand reputation through credible, creative, and data-driven collaboration.Previously, she was Global Head of Content & Publishing and U.S. Innovation & Creative Lead at Hill & Knowlton, where she built the agency's U.S. Innovation & Creative Hub and led a global network across editorial, branded content, social, and influencer marketing - delivering award-winning work for Pfizer, ANA, Intel, Huawei, and the United Nations.Vikki has also held senior roles at TMW Unlimited, where she launched the agency's social media department for clients including Unilever, INFINITI, Canon, and Sony, and at Condé Nast Britain, where she developed brand-owned content strategies with the talent behind iconic titles such as Vogue, GQ, and Vanity Fair. A former journalist, she has written and edited for titles like Econsultancy, Contagious, The Guardian, and Marketing Week.Recognized as a PRWeek U.S. 40 Under 40 and in PRovoke's inaugural EMEA Innovator list, Vikki is also a sought-after speaker and mentor, sharing her expertise at events such as Cannes Lions and SXSW. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her three children, Reformer Pilates, and curating the perfect playlist.

Josh Ott is a sales and marketing leader with over 15 years of experience in startups and media. He is currently Head of Revenue at The Shade Room, the leading digital media platform covering Black culture, with over 42 million followers across social channels. The early years of his career were spent leading ad sales and partnerships with former roles at ABC, BET, MTV,Scripps, and Pivot. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to create a successful grass-fed beef company, which further fueled his passion for brand growth and development. MAGNA Media Trials and The Shade Room released new research that quantifies how Black culture drives consumer spending globally. Despite this influence, brand investments in Black creators and Black-led platforms fall short. The report, Cultural Capital: What Black Culture Means for Modern Brands, highlights the growth opportunity and the risk for marketers who fail to engage authentically.