A unique chance to learn from the biggest names in branded content 

Tom is a seasoned leader in advertising and media technology, currently collaborating with tech and media companies across the U.S. and Europe to drive global commercial growth. He specializes in advising on corporate, strategic, and revenue initiatives and frequently serves as a nonexecutive director. At CleverAds, a managed service for content promotion, Tom plays a pivotal role, while also guiding Accenture’s retail media practice, bringing extensive expertise to every engagement. With a 25-year career, Tom has held senior roles at industry leaders like Google—where he launched the company’s first premium programmatic team—Admeld, and Polar, and has advised firms including McKinsey. Based in London, he balances his professional life with a passion for discovering new music, often curating playlists for friends and colleagues, adding a personal touch to his dynamic career.

As Head of Creative Strategy, this accomplished leader manages a global team of multidisciplinary creative strategists and content creators, spearheading the development and execution of insight-driven, market-leading solutions. They specialize in brand, campaign, and communication strategies, committed to delivering exceptional client experiences through innovative creative thinking and strategic storytelling. Their career is marked by a strong track record of leading high-performing teams and producing award-winning proposals and content. Known for a collaborative approach and a passion for idea generation, they excel in fast-paced, creative environments. Their expertise and leadership continue to drive innovative strategies that resonate in today’s dynamic market.

Robin Bennefield is a visionary content strategy consultant and brand storyteller who specializes in building award-winning, data-driven content programs from the ground up. She brings a rare blend of strategic insight and creative flair, using editorial and multimedia storytelling to turn complex business goals into clear, human-centered narratives that resonate. Grounded in strong journalistic roots, Robin has honed a deep expertise in editorial content and multimedia storytelling, consistently pushing brands to innovate in how they communicate. Known for her ability to connect data with emotion, she helps organizations design content ecosystems that are both measurable and meaningful, aligning every story with broader business objectives while keeping the audience at the center.

Leah Bjornson serves as the Executive Producer for Content Works, Postmedia’s acclaimed full-service commercial studio. In this role, she leads a talented team of creatives, guiding the production of integrated, multi-platform content campaigns tailored to a wide spectrum of clients—from national brands to local businesses. Her leadership ensures that each project not only meets but exceeds client expectations, blending strategic vision with creative execution. Leah’s career is marked by a strong track record of collaboration and innovation. Prior to her current position, she worked closely with Fortune 500 brands and partnered with top-tier digital publishers, including Apartment Therapy, Elle Canada, and New York Magazine. This experience has honed her ability to deliver compelling content solutions across industries, establishing her as a trusted leader in the evolving landscape of commercial content production.

Becky Vinter leads Business Insider’s acclaimed custom content studio, where she spearheads the creation of premium brand storytelling that seamlessly blends editorial insight with creative innovation. In her role, she guides a talented team to craft compelling narratives that resonate with the world’s most curious and ambitious audiences, helping brands communicate impactful and forward-looking messages. With a deep understanding of both editorial and marketing landscapes, Becky has established herself as a trusted leader in the field of branded content. Her expertise lies in driving innovative storytelling strategies that not only engage but also inspire, positioning Business Insider at the forefront of custom content creation.

Steve Pearson is the Vice President of GET Creative & Content Operations, Gannett | USA TODAY Network’s in-house creative agency. Steve has played a key role in the growth and success of this team, earning the trust of clients and agencies. GET Creative delivers compelling, custom creative and unique branded content and is a nationally recognized leader.

Greg Moyer founded Blue Chalk Media in 2013 intending to create a world-class visual communications company whose productions demonstrate the power, importance, and appeal of documentary-style storytelling. Hundreds of films and awards later, Blue Chalk has become known for its cinematic production style and journalistic approach to stories, a reflection of Greg’s early love for visual journalism as an aspiring photographer and newspaper photo editor. 

Prior to Blue Chalk, Greg spent over 25 years in senior management roles for a variety ofnon-fiction television brands, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, VOOM HD and Food Network. While head of programming, Greg led Discovery to five George Foster Peabody Awards for editorial excellence. In his final role as a television channel executive, Greg managed the launch of the Food Network into 63 countries outside North America.

Co-CEO of Auspicious, a new creative services super group of creative agencies in London | New York | Portland | Manchester Studio Yes: Commercials and high end social content. Blue Chalk: Branded Content and Documentaries. Auspicious Comms: PR services and integrated teams. DBLX: Digital platforms and future of work consultancy. Nowadays: Emotionally intelligent storytelling

Alina Hotra is the Media Relations Team Lead at Medialister, where she oversees strategic partnerships between publishers and brands around the world. With deep, hands-on experience in native advertising and sponsored content, she helps media outlets unlock new revenue streams while keeping operations streamlined and efficient. Alina works closely with publisher teams to position their platforms compellingly and connect them with high-quality brand collaborations that support long-term growth. Throughout her career, Alina has focused on building transparent, mutually beneficial relationships across the media ecosystem. She is particularly committed to smart monetization strategies that respect editorial integrity while still driving strong commercial results. By championing win-win opportunities in an evolving media landscape, she enables publishers to navigate change with confidence and create sustainable value for all partners involved.

Roger Nairn is the Co-Founder and CEO of JAR Audio, where he leads the agency’s growth and direction while redefining how brands connect with their audiences. He focuses on immersive podcast storytelling and believes that authentic, narrative-driven content can fundamentally reshape brand-audience relationships. Under his leadership, JAR has become a leader in the branded podcast space, collaborating with global brands to create compelling audio and video experiences that resonate. Roger brings two decades of experience in advertising and client service, which informs his thoughtful, client-first approach. He is passionate about fostering happy, long-term client partnerships and continually pioneering innovative engagement strategies. This combination of creative storytelling, strategic thinking, and commitment to client success has been central to his journey and to JAR’s evolution as a trusted partner in podcast and content solutions.

Ben Baer is Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of Fast Company and Inc. Custom Studio, where he oversees all branded content programs for both brands. He leads the creation of high-impact campaigns for the award-winning studio, drawing on deep expertise in business journalism and a sharp eye for the stories that matter to modern innovators. Over more than twenty years in business journalism, Ben has covered transformative shifts in the global economy and the innovators driving them at Fast Company, Inc., Forbes, and CNN. He has led teams of writers, editors, and producers around the world, building award-winning storytelling that brings complex ideas to life and connects brands with influential audiences.

Farra Kober is the Vice President of StoryWorks at BBC Studios, where she leads the creative commercial content studio. With a strong focus on purposeful storytelling, she oversees multi-platform content strategies that enhance growth, customer engagement, and sales, all driven by strategic insights and data. Her leadership combines creativity with a results-oriented approach, ensuring impactful brand narratives. Farra's career spans senior roles at WeWork as Senior Director of Global Content Marketing and at theSkimm as Vice President of Content Studios, where she spearheaded branded content, podcasting, and editorial expansion. Earlier, at NBC Universal, she directed digital strategy for MSNBC, achieving record digital video viewership and launching the network’s first podcasting division. Beyond her professional achievements, Farra is passionate about discovering new voices and stories, always eager to find the next compelling narrative to share.