Brandweek Threw the Doors Open—and Marketers Stepped Through

“Don’t punish your workforce for suggesting doorways that might violate current doorways. Search for alternatives to be collaborative and artistic.”

This straightforward recommendation from podcaster Jonathan Fields, which he shared in a session at Brandweek final week in Atlanta, was not only a useful tip for each chief within the room; it was symbolic of the complete three-day occasion, which felt like an actual re-set of the business’s tone. 

The session, referred to as “Navigating Uncertainty,” was a humorous, informative, and deeply human presentation on the right way to assist your workforce keep optimistic and ingenious in troublesome occasions. This was a theme current all through the convention. 

I used to be lucky to talk at Brandweek this yr. Normally, my schedule requires me to zoom in and zoom out of occasions. This yr, I deliberately carved off a little bit of house to remain, hear, observe, and meet after my session. One thing instructed me that I’d discover one thing price bringing residence right here. 

The reality is, I discovered one thing fairly uncommon in our business lately: unbridled optimism. On the finish of Brandweek, I felt not simply higher ready for the longer term; I felt much more excited to greet the approaching years with the power of an innovator’s spirit. 

The shifting sands of AI, consolidation, and cultural uncertainty have left all of us feeling a bit of jumpy. (That is likely to be the understatement of the yr.) However whereas Brandweek acknowledged these shifts, it made them really feel extra like doorways opening than doorways closing. 

I felt creativity in each dialog, each encounter, each discuss I attended. It was the perfect form of creativity—explosive, curious, the sort that appears at what’s, after which, with a mischievous smile, proposes what could possibly be. 

Pumping up ATL

I used to be stunned to search out that one among my favourite classes was a shameless pump up present for Atlanta. 

That includes Jason Ippen from Georgia Pacific, Alex Ames from Coca-Cola, Tonya O’Connel from IHG, and moderated by Paul Carpenter of AMA Atlanta, the session centered on the ability of Atlanta’s creativity. Right here was a panel of 4, high-level entrepreneurs arguing why town they beloved was properly on its approach to being the following breakout.