Photo Credits provide by Getty Images / John Lamparski, Adam Polly, Andy Wallenstein, Alison Luntz
Infinite Icon, Paris Hilton and her next-gen media company 11:11 Media, took the Tribeca X stage and captivated the audience with insights on how optimism and authenticity drive lasting brand impact. “I know I’m the OG…” she said, with moderator Andrew Wallerstein agreeing, “…the OG brand master.”
Another standout session was a live recording of Lena Waithe’s “Legacy Talk” podcast featuring legendary actress Phylicia Rashad, which included a heartfelt discussion about the importance of honoring narratives that preserve cultural memory
Bryan Cranston captivated the crowd as he reflected on his journey from award-winning series Breaking Bad to co-founding Dos Hombres Mezcal, exploring how authenticity remains at the cornerstone of brand building. When discussing his previous projects and the impact they’ve had on his career, Little Miss Sunshine, a role in which required only one day of filming, stood out to him, “I was getting all of this praise [for Little Miss Sunshine] and that reinforced the idea that it is all about the written word,” Cranston said.
Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar joined Meena Harris for a candid fireside chat about the evolution of brand engagement, from traditional advertising to immersive experiences. Fresh off of a successful campaign with Lady Gaga, Rajamannar announced on stage that the company’s newest partnership is with Lionel Messi, showcasing how Mastercard is tapping into cultural icons to create brand moments that resonate with global audiences. “Our whole approach is, if you’re contextually relevant with what is happening at that point in time, the effectiveness of your campaigns is so much greater,” Rajamannar said.
Following this morning’s official announcement of the executive team behind Foolish Club Studios, Kansas City Chiefs CMO Lara Krug sat down with Kaylee Hartung to discuss launching the NFL’s first team-led entertainment venture. “For the past few years we’ve had the conversations internally, which is the roles of fans, and how fans are more global than ever. They’re constantly being connected by media and stories written by content,” Krug said. Their new venture is redefining what it means to be a sports brand through original content, giving access into the human side of athletes, and even leveraging the Taylor Swift effect.
Kenneth Cole, designer and founder of the Mental Health Coalition, sat down with journalist Chris Cuomo to discuss his decades-long career at the intersection of cause and commerce, ahead of the premiere of the new documentary A Man With Sole. “We take the world seriously but not ourselves,” Cole said.
Simon Huck, co-founder of Lemme and CEO of Command Entertainment Group, joined wellness entrepreneur Melissa Wood-Tepperberg for a thoughtful conversation about building founder-led brands anchored in vulnerability, trust, and community, proving that authenticity is the new currency of consumer loyalty.
In a conversation with Janice Min of Ankler Media, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz shared insights on legacy brand evolution, “It is about creating lasting impact, emotional connection, emotional relevance, and when you achieve that the result is remarkable,” said Kreiz.
From the convergence of crypto and film with OKX’s Haider Rafique and actor Chazz Palminteri, to unpacking the power of real-time marketing with Kraft Heinz CMO Todd Kaplan and UTA’s Julian Jacobs, both days explored a wide range of timely topics. Purpose-driven design took the spotlight with leaders from Canva and The Ordinary, while YOU BELONG HERE creators, actor Steve Zahn, filmmaker Rick Gomez, and chef Ouita Michel, explored themes of food, memory, and belonging.
Emerging and student creatives were celebrated in the ANDY Awards showcase, a keynote from 72andSunny CEO Evin Shutt engaged the crowd, while the team at Creative Theory dissected how storytelling drives cultural change. DIRECTV and American Eagle execs tackled personalization and capitalizing on tentpole moments such as Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl jeans, and SiriusXM’s Kelli Hurley joined comedian Adam Pally to prove that utilizing humor in branding can genuinely and authentically elevate your business.
Ally Financial CMO Andrea Brimmer led a conversation on the growing power and potential of women’s sports, joined by World Cup champion Crystal Dunn, Merritt Mathis, and Ari Chambers, highlighting Ally’s commitment to equitable media investment and its mission to level the playing field.
In a look at the future of technology-powered storytelling, creative leaders from Arm, Meta, Google Creative Lab, and filmmaker Eliza McNitt explored how tools like wearables and game engines are opening up new modes of artistic expression and more human-centered narratives.
Ford Motor Company premiered Call to Serve, a powerful short film about a veteran finding purpose through Team Rubicon, followed by a discussion with Ford Philanthropy President Mary Culler, filmmaker Cole Sax, and moderator Kate Bolduan on how brands can uplift their nonprofit partners through authentic storytelling.
FOX Entertainment executives offered a behind-the-scenes look at how the company is innovating with creators and consumers at the center, while Whalar brought together some of the internet’s most resonant voices, including Taryn Delanie Smith, Adam W., and Ugo Mozie, for a candid conversation about the evolving nature of creator identity and influence. DoorDash CMO Kofi Amoo-Gottfried participated in the AD Club of New York’s Young Pro Edition, flipping the script in a mentorship session that highlighted cross-generational insights on relevance and leadership.
