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Host

Erin Gee

In a landscape of endless scrolls and AI-generated sameness, standing out is more vital — and more difficult — than ever. In this conversation, Jason Brown, Global CEO of Pearlfisher, Liz Zack, Global Brand & Design Strategy at PepsiCo, and Max Ottignon, CEO of Ragged Edge, explore how bold, strategic design can cut through the noise. What does it take to build brands that are not only visually distinctive, but emotionally resonant? And how do today’s most ambitious teams balance creativity, consistency, and cultural impact?

Design with difference: Building brands in a copycat world

Volatile markets, declining consumer confidence, rising anti-American sentiment, and trade wars—disruption is the new normal. International politics are now part of daily life. Consumers are thinking like citizens at the supermarket; citizens are voting with consumer concerns in mind. In these uncertain times, brands must speak to people as both citizens and consumers.

In this exclusive session, Angus Reid, renowned Canadian entrepreneur, pollster, and sociologist, and Tyler Turnbull, Global CEO of FCB, will launch the Citizen Consumer Project—a new research study on how people are navigating disruption—and reveal how local, national, and global brands can meet this challenge and win in today’s marketplace.

Brands in uncertain times: The citizen consumer project

In an industry shaped by streaming algorithms and viral moments, how do independent labels still break artists through - and build lasting careers? Jonathan Simkin, President & CEO of 604 Records, shares insights on navigating today’s fast-moving music landscape. From discovering and developing talent like Carly Rae Jepsen and Marianas Trench to launching Canadian artists onto the global stage, we'll explore the evolving role of indie labels and what it really takes to cut through the noise without losing creative integrity.

Erin Gee

Host

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