Branded Content Days: A decade of celebrating the best and brightest in Branded Content and Native Advertising

Andrew Davis is a bestselling author and internationally acclaimed keynote speaker. Before building and selling a thriving digital marketing agency, Andrew produced for NBC’s Today Show, worked for The Muppets in New York and wrote for Charles Kuralt. He's appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and on NBC and the BBC. 

Davis has crafted documentary films and award-winning content for tiny start-ups and Fortune 500 brands. Recognized as one of the industry's "Jaw-Dropping Marketing Speakers," Andrew is a mainstay on global marketing influencer lists. Wherever he goes, Andrew Davis puts his infectious enthusiasm and magnetic speaking style to good use teaching business leaders how to grow their businesses, transform their cities, and leave their legacy.

Luke Spano is the Founder & CEO at Avid Collective, Australia's home of branded content. Avid Collective has emerged as a prominent player in the advertising and publishing industry under Luke’s leadership. The business has seen exponential growth since its inception in 2021, on the back of developing a highly powerful solution to a complex problem - connecting over 140 digital publishers with hundreds of advertisers through its proprietary platform. 

Avid has since evolved further, introducing Avid PubSuite, a purpose-built SaaS platform, designed to help publishers simplify workflows, enhance advertiser experience, and maximise revenue from branded content. 

Luke has a set of valuable skills and interests including strategic planning, product design, business development, marketing strategy, and business process improvement.

Jerusha Raath leverages a decade’s experience as a journalist and editor in her role as Head of Adspace Studio, Media24 news’ content and design studio. Under her leadership, the studio was named best globally at the 2023 Native Advertising Awards (under 20 employees) and at the 2023 INMA Global Media Awards. A multiple-award winner for digital publishing, she was chosen as one of 28 women globally for the Poynter Institute’s 2018 Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media. She holds an MBA from Wits Business School, serves on the IAB South Africa’s Content Marketing Committee and is a coach for the South African Media Investment Partnership.

As a professional marketer educated in the UK and Australia, with an agency background from London, I am currently reshaping the digital advertising landscape in Czechia as the Head of Seznam Brand Studio, which I founded. My career-long mission is to improve the quality of ads for both clients and readers. By leveraging a variety of formats including articles, videos, podcasts, and others, my team and I connect the largest Czech online audience with brands, effectively telling clients' stories in a visually captivating and engaging manner that drives business results.

In 2023, Andy was named the Native Advertising Marketer of the Year.

Mikaela Folkestad is the CEO of one of Norway's largest content studios Schibsted Partnerstudio. She has previously worked within business and product development and tech in Partnerstudio, and brand management in Orkla.

Moreover, Mikaela was named 'Marketer of the Year' at the global Native Advertising Awards 2024'

Lars is the Global Chief Content Officer at Havas, where he leads the development and commercialization of original IP for the network and its brand partners. By applying serialized creator principles, Lars builds storytelling ecosystems that attract organic audiences and capture unprecedented time and attention. He spearheads brand partnerships with online and streaming platforms, bringing bold creative ideas to life across digital, social, and broadcast. Lars has defined his career working with ambitious brands and creatives to craft narratives that resonate with global audiences. At VICE Media, he built and scaled the integrated marketing team, launched the VICELAND cable network, and served as Publisher for the flagship VICE brand. At Thrive Global, he built a global creative team alongside Arianna Huffington and architected multidisciplinary partnerships with brands like P&G, Deloitte, and Salesforce. In 2020, Lars co-created the Webby-awarded pandemic hit Some Good News with John Krasinski, growing a loyal audience of over 10MM fans, amassing 100MM+ views, and driving $40MM+ in give-back partnerships with brands like AT&T and FedEx.

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.

Josh Robinson lead the Forbes Branded Content & Design Studio which produces high-impact content for many of the leading brands in the world. Prior to joining Forbes, he worked at The New York Times, AOL and two NBC television affiliates.

David Lennon is a branded content veteran who has built out successful creative teams within global media organizations. Lennon joined the newly independent Fortune Media (New York) in 2019 to launch FORTUNE Brand Studio. He previously led branded content teams at Vice Media (Brooklyn), The Wall Street Journal (New York), and Bloomberg (New York & London). Lennon started his career in advertising at McCann-Erickson (Manchester, U.K.). He has created content and commercial campaigns for the world’s leading brands and organizations, winning 500+ international creative awards, including D&AD Pencils, Webby, Cannes Lion, and Anthem Awards.

Ebony Jones is a VP of Content at Spark Foundry, a global media agency brand within Publicis Groupe. In this role, Jones spearheads all media partnerships for The Campbell’s Company’s portfolio of brands. She is responsible for crafting authentic brand storytelling and fostering innovation through partnerships to help achieve Campbell’s business goals and enhance consumer connection. Jones joined Spark Foundry in 2018. Throughout her tenure, she’s successfully executed innovative content experiences in industries including CPG, technology, and luxury fashion. Jones has received multiple industry accolades for her work, including an Effies and a Cannes Lion, and has been invited to speak at industry conferences, including ANA Masters of Marketing and Advertising Week New York. Jones is passionate about mentorship. Outside of work, she serves as a Vanguard sponsor and an alumni advisory board member at her alma mater, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Ryan is a key strategic leader at News Corp Australia, serving as the General Manager of Commercial Audio Visual & Content. In this role, he drives the growth and commercial success of innovative audio visual (AV) and content products across a diverse portfolio that includes Free News & Lifestyle, The Australian & Prestige, and various State & Community publications. With a focus on shaping the future of media consumption in Australia, Ryan creates engaging content experiences that captivate audiences on owned platforms and throughout the broader digital landscape. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to innovation and excellence, aimed at redefining how audiences interact with media in an ever-evolving environment. Ryan's vision extends beyond immediate commercial outcomes; he is dedicated to fostering a dynamic content ecosystem that resonates with diverse audiences while achieving the commercial objectives of News Corp Australia.

Anders Lithner is CEO and co-founder of Brand Metrics, a tech platform used globally for measuring the brand lift outcome of digital advertisement, including thousands of native campaigns. His background is in academic media studies, followed by many years as entrepreneur in the market research industry.

Drawing on a one-of-a-kind background spanning entertainment, media, social, strategy and production, Annie Granatstein excels at identifying brands’ most compelling stories and architecting where and how to tell them across a complex global content ecosystem. She founded Marriott’s first-ever Global Content Marketing Dept., garnering 130+ honors, launching two series on Amazon Prime Video and overseeing the brand’s first custom content partnerships across The Washington Post, Vox, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Prior to Marriott, Annie ran multimedia content at Edelman, across diverse clients like HPE and eBay and founded The Washington Post’s content studio, pioneering award-winning multimedia journalistic programs for hundreds of iconic brands, including Mercedes, Coca-Cola, Ikea, AT&T, Hulu, and Canon.

Kate Pfetsch combines her expertise in marketing strategy, entertainment, production, media, and branding to craft award-winning storytelling and amplify content across platforms, driving measurable impact.

Kate pioneered Marriott’s Content Studio, leading the company’s global entertainment strategy and developing award-winning video series, podcasts, and social content. Her work earned prestigious awards such as the Telly, Webby, Shorty Impact, Brand Film, NAACP Image Awards, and film festival official selections.

Jennifer Hartsough has 18 years of digital advertising expertise, with 11 years at Google specializing in YouTube strategy for telecom, travel, and CPG clients. As a Video Lead, she's dedicated to crafting data-driven strategies that help brands break down traditional advertising silos and align with modern media consumption. She's focused on leveraging user behavior and data results to drive impactful campaigns.

Kaylee is an Emmy award winning executive producer and managing director with over 15 years of experience in commercial, branded content and documentary filmmaking. Prior to joining Special Operations, she was an Executive Producer at The New York Times where she managed creative teams across the newsroom and advertising departments — including overseeing creative for T Brand Studio International in London. Along the way, she has won numerous awards including a Cannes Lions Grand Prix and founded The Selects, a filmmaking incubator for new directors within The Times. Kaylee has worked on campaigns for dozens of brands including Samsung, Cartier, Volvo, Philips, UBS, Cole Haan, and more.

Kristine is a versatile design leader and mentor with a rich background in digital, print, and product design. In her current role as the VP of Design at the Forbes Content & Design Studio, she specializes in crafting visually captivating branded content experiences. With a career spanning both entertainment giants and innovative startups, she is relentless in combining design expertise, strategic vision, and seamless collaboration with her team to create engaging user experiences that leave a lasting impact.

Bria Bell’s superpower is storytelling. As a Vice President on the Payments — Industry Engagement Marketing team at J.P. Morgan Chase, she leads the Speakers Bureau for North America and Latin America. Bria's day-to-day includes partnering with internal teams, business stakeholders and subject matter experts in developing thought leadership engagement, highlighting and strengthening speaker/corporate influencer positioning at industry and client events.  

Bria previously worked as the Director of Marketing at a tech software startup in Dallas. Before that, this Texas native spent nearly a decade working as a TV reporter. Her journalism journey includes stints in Iowa, North Carolina, and her hometown of Dallas. She’s interviewed presidential candidates during the 2016 election year, battled Midwest blizzards on-air, and led coverage for the CBS affiliate in Charlotte during the 2020 George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests.

Bria graduated with a Master of Liberal Arts from Texas Christian University while balancing a full-time on-air job, is a National Association of Black Journalists member, and a career mentor for first-generation college students at Louisiana State University. Before that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, where she was a part of the women’s basketball team.

Outside the office, you can catch her working out in a HIIT class (probably kickboxing), searching for her next weekend adventure, or playing with her dog, a black and white Border Collie affectionately named Oreo.
 

Megan Gilbert is Vice President of the award-winning FORTUNE Brand Studio (Fortune Media), driving editorial direction, strategy, and production of campaigns for clients such as Salesforce, AWS and PayPal. 

Her career includes positions at Gawker/Gizmodo, Fusion/Univision, The Washington Post, Slate, and VICE. 

Megan is a graduate of Boston University and earned her M.F.A. in nonfiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches Branded Content at New York University. She was named WICMA Content Marketer of the Year (2022) and was included on the 100 Most Significant Women in Native Advertising list (2018).

Natasha is a Senior Vice President in Burson’s New York Corporate Affairs practice where she leads strategies that leverage impactful branded content to drive corporate reputation. She has 20 years of journalism, agency, and in-house strategic communications and media relations experience. Natasha has helped a range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to national non-profits and global foundations share their stories, safeguard their reputations, manage risk, and inspire action for good.

Natasha holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Roanoke College and a Master of Mass Communication in Integrated Communications from the University of South Carolina. She currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of breast cancer research non-profit, The Pink Agenda, and helps plan its annual gala. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband and cats and is likely training for her next half or full marathon.

Crystal Luce, APR currently serves as the senior director of public relations for Dollar General Corporation where she leads global corporate public relations for the major retailer that operates more than 20,000 Dollar General, DG Market, pOpshelf and MiSuper Dollar General locations.  She has more than 20 years of award-winning communications and public relations leadership experience across political, hospitality, nonprofit, tourism, financial, agency and education sectors.

Luce earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of South Alabama where she was also a member of the NCAA Division I women’s golf team (Go Jaguars!). She also graduated from the Executive Development Institute at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and is an adjunct instructor at the University of South Alabama.

Dennis Quinn is the Creative Director for Special Projects and Creator Marketing at WP Creative Group, The Washington Post's award-winning, in-house brand studio and creative agency. In his role, Dennis develops first-to-market digital, experiential and social opportunities for advertisers to engage The Washington Post’s B2B, B2G and consumer audiences. He is a seasoned media veteran with brand and creative strategy roles at Turner Broadcasting and WarnerMedia for global media brands including CNN and Adult Swim.

Coming Soon

In addition to founding the Native Advertising Institute, Jesper Laursen is the CEO of Brand Movers and Media Movers. The companies work with content marketing and journalism, respectively.

Jesper, a passionate content marketing and native advertising entrepreneur and speaker, believes that native advertising done right holds great potential for getting your message across to the right people, at the right time and in the right manner.

His company Brand Movers publishes the largest magazine in Northern Europe on the subject called Content Marketing Magazine and works with various brands and media on native advertising projects.

Stuart Feil is an award-winning branded content and thought leadership expert who works with leading brands to develop successful, impactful and creative content strategies. He is the former VP of Branded Content at Adweek.

Richard Pattinson is Global Senior Vice President of BBC StoryWorks, the BBC’s brand studio within BBC Studios. BBC StoryWorks operates in nine countries across North Americas, EMEA and APAC, working with clients to develop and deliver commercial branded content and the sponsorship of BBC editorial across BBC Global News digital and TV platforms.

Previously, Richard was Global Partnerships Editor at BBC World Service Group, the BBC’s global news division which broadcasts weekly to an audience of almost half a billion people on BBC World News TV, BBC World Service radio, bbc.com, and the BBC’s forty plus non-English language services. Prior to that position he was Commissioning Editor for BBC News and bbc.com, where he oversaw the creation of a large range of editorial content to serve the organisation's global audience in news, across TV and online.

Richard has worked at the BBC for more than twenty years, in which time he has produced some of the organisation's most recognised television news programmes, including its flagship nightly UK current affairs show Newsnight from 2004 to 2008.