Marketing Technology

Tom Roach, VP Brand Strategy, Jellyfish Tom is a marketing and communications strategist with 25+ years of experience in some of the world’s best agencies, including adam&eveDDB, BBH London, Leo Burnett and AMV BBDO. He is one of the most highly awarded authors of IPA Effectiveness cases in its history, with multiple gold IPA Effectiveness Awards to his name, including for Sainsbury’s, McDonald’s and John Lewis. His regular articles on marketing and creative effectiveness for Marketing Week, WARC and his own blog are required reading in the industry, and consistently include thought leadership which has become widely adopted in marketing practice. He is the originator of cutting edge marketing thinking on a diverse range of topics including bothism, brand building in the platform age, the new marketing funnel, the performance plateau, and latterly the application of GenAI for brands. As VP Brand Strategy at integrated digital marketing business Jellyfish, part of the Brandtech Group, Tom works across their global client portfolio to deliver more effective digital marketing strategy and execution, with a particular focus on how brands can achieve a balanced approach across brand and performance activity and the convergence of creative and media in the new platform landscape. Before moving to Jellyfish, he was Executive Strategy Director and Head of Effectiveness at adam&eveDDB, where he worked alongside the ‘Godfather of Effectiveness’ Les Binet. Prior to this he was proud to have steered BBH London to the title of Effectiveness Company of the Year at the IPA Effectiveness Awards 2018, in his role as Head of Performance at BBH. He is in demand as a speaker at major marketing industry events, including at SXSW, Cannes Lions, Google Think, Google Firestarters and the IPA’s Effweek.

Meet Rodney Williams Rodney Williams is the Co-founder of SoLo Funds, the largest community finance platform in the US. Since 2018, SoLo has surpassed 1M loans funded and redefined access to capital and returns for 1.5 million users. As the US’s only Black-led Certified B Corp fintech, SoLo continues its leadership (4x growth 22’ vs 21’), but grounded in the same hope and mission: to build a community that enables financial autonomy for all. Prior to founding SoLo, Rodney founded LISNR (Visa-Backed Fintech) and led the company to numerous awards and partnerships across retail and financial services. He currently serves as the company’s Chairman. LISNR is an ultrasonic data platform that enables secure wireless device-to-device communication for payments, mobility, and connected devices. Some of LISNR’s customers include Lenovo, Jaguar/Land Rover, Ticketmaster, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s company RocNation, and Media Saturn, Amdocs, and the company has commercial partnerships with Visa, Synchrony Financial, DSP Group, and Intel. Prior to founding LISNR, Rodney served multiple brand roles at Proctor and Gamble, most recently as Brand Management – Pampers NA. He began his career as a Financial and Business Development Analyst at Lockheed Martin & Department of Energy. Rodney is a former trustee of the board of directors for the University of Cincinnati, a member of the board of advisors of Howard University, and Chairman of the board and co-founder of Solo Funds, Inc. Rodney has been recognized with numerous awards, including Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2012; the Ernst & Young EDGE Award in 2013; Cannes Gold Lion award in 2015; Tech Entrepreneur of the Year by Black Enterprise, 2016; NAACP Inspiring Innovation list 2017; 25 Inspiring Entrepreneurs Under 40 by Entrepreneur Magazine 2016; Entrepreneur of the Year in Connected World Communications in the Ohio Valley Region by EY in 2017; Ebony’s Power 100 in 2018 and CNBC Disruptor 50 List in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2023. Rodney attended West Virginia University, earning his BBA in finance, his BA in economics, and his MS in integrated marketing communications. Rodney also holds an MBA in finance and supply chain management from Howard University. He is a member of the 2019 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute.

Meet Shontavia Johnson Shontavia Johnson is an entrepreneurship and innovation expert who has helped hundreds of people build personal brands, businesses, and intellectual property portfolios. Twice named one of the top young lawyers in America, Shontavia is an educator at heart. Shontavia was the first African-American woman to receive full tenure and an endowed chair at Drake University Law School, where she also directed the Intellectual Property Law Center. Today, she leads the intellectual property efforts for a half-billion dollar research and development center. Shontavia is also an entrepreneur and creator. She founded the Brand and Business Company to provide women and people of color with greater access to entrepreneurship. The company’s Academy gives professionals a formula for entrepreneurship that allows them to pursue ideas that make an impact while also making money. And, the company’s media platforms provide free education about entrepreneurship, law, and leading a purposeful life. As a speaker, Shontavia has spoken at the Smithsonian, SXSW, and given the closing talk at TEDxAtlanta. She has also shared her message globally in places including Europe, Asia and across North America. She has appeared in TIME, the Washington Post, the LA Times, NPR, and on Hear to Slay with Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom. She has also been named one of 200 black women in tech to follow on Twitter (@ShontavaJEsq) for the past five years. Shontavia is a Liberty Fellow through the Aspen Institute and served as a Fulbright Specialist to Uzbekistan in 2022.

Meet Max Lenderman Max Lenderman has a pulse on the future so that you and your business can win today. Throughout his career as CCO, CMO and CEO at global ad agencies and fast-growing brands, Max has worked at the forefront of marketing’s evolution. His first book 15 years ago made the term “experiential marketing” part of a brand’s lexicon and is still considered “the best book on experiential marketing.” His second book presented outrageously effective marketing campaigns from around the world. And for the past decade, he has consulted Fortune 100 companies on the power of purpose in marketing – years before the term “brand purpose” became a must-have in business. He is also a well-known marketing voice in the world of web3, having launched one of the earliest web3 consulting agencies in early 2021. He is currently helping brands and businesses understand the “phygital” connections between digital and physical worlds that will be the next frontier of marketing and advertising. He is a columnist for Adweek and Campaign magazines, where he writes the “Into the Metaverse” column. He has spoken at major conferences like SXSW, Consensus, Forbes CMO Summit, Advertising Week, The Art of Marketing and X-Prize, as well as dozens of marketing conferences and company off-sites. Max is a masterful “explainer” and connecter. If you are interested in innovation, creativity and insight to unlock business growth and social impact, Max will help you look within and see around the corner.

Meet Courtney Caldwell Courtney Caldwell is the Cofounder & CEO of beauty-tech startup, ShearShare, the largest provider of on-demand salon and barbershop space rentals and the most affordable leases in the market. The ShearShare app gives licensed beauty and barbering professionals the freedom and flexibility to rent workspace by the day in cities all over the world, while salon and barbershop owners make money on unused space. Prior to co-founding ShearShare, Inc., a 2022 Fast Company World-Changing Ideas App, Google Demo Day winner 2018, Tech. Co’s Startup of the Year, and a YC Fellowship and 500 Startups alum, Courtney managed an award-winning salon with her husband and cofounder, which was the genesis behind ShearShare. Before that, Courtney ran a boutique consulting firm where she fast-tracked international sales and marketing success for brands such as Zendesk, Zenefits, and Qualtrics. Courtney spent two decades building winning teams in tech marketing and has held leadership positions in both early-stage and late-stage technology organizations: vice president of marketing for Marketing Advocate, global director of Oracle’s worldwide digital marketing strategy and innovations group, head of digital demand generation and JAPAC field marketing at RightNow Technologies. Her leadership in demand and revenue generation at RightNow Technologies was instrumental in the $1.45B acquisition of the company. Courtney received an honorary doctorate degree from Miracle University and is the 33rd African-American female to raise $1 million in venture funding. She was named a 2022 Hype Hair magazine 30 for 30, first African-American female to be inducted into the 2021 Texas Military Institute Hall of Fame, Inc. magazine 2019 Female Founders 100 list, is the first African-American female to be named the SMU Cox School of Business Outstanding Young Alumna, the 2019 Ada Lovelace Female Tech Founder of the Year, is a 2018 Dallas Business Journal Women in Technology, and the 2017 L’Oreal Women in Digital NEXT Generation Award winner. Courtney has her BBA in Honors Marketing from Southern Methodist University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Dallas. She volunteers with various children’s, education, and civic organizations, and serves on the Advisory Board for Ogle Cosmetology School, the Alumni Board for Southern Methodist University, the President’s Council at SMU, the Board of Trustees for Texas Military Institute, and the Board of Directors for the UT-Dallas Entrepreneurship Council. Courtney relocated from McKinney, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, with her cofounder husband, Dr. Tye Caldwell, and is mom to their 22-year-old son, Trey, a senior cadet and football player at the United States Air Force Academy. Courtney recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, in seven days.

Meet Damian Pelliccione As Hollywood’s only openly Non-Binary CEO, Damian Pelliccione (they/them) was named one of Business Insider’s “Top 16 Power Player Execs in AD Video Streaming Space” and is one of 4x intersectional diverse co-founders of Revry, the 1st global Queer (LGBTQ+) (Certified Minority Owned and Operated) streaming media company. Revry is available worldwide on over 60+, Connected TV (CTV), Free-Ad-Supported-TV (FAST), Over-The-Top (OTT), desktop, mobile devices, smart TV, and major ad-supported networks. Revry was named ‘App of the Day’ by Apple IOS and Damian’s story was featured globally on Apple IOS in the ‘Developer Spotlight‘. Damian was named one of Goldman Sachs ‘Top 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs‘, was featured on the ‘Out 100’ list, and is a proud recipient of the West Hollywood Rainbow Key Award. Damian also recently won a GLAAD Media Award for an original series Damian created “Drag Latina”. Damian and their co-founders are all graduates of Goldman Sachs Black and Latinx 2020 accelerator program. Damian has acted as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago and has lectured at over 20 universities and colleges across the globe including the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Film School, and BAU University Istanbul Turkey amongst others. Damian is also a proud member of StartOut, Out in Tech, and Trans Tech Organizations. Damian also serves as a board member of The Trans-Chorus of Los Angeles.

Bobby Umar – Heart-Centered Leadership Expert, Global Influencer, Award-Winning Speaker With over two decades of experience, Bobby Umar has delivered 1,000+ keynotes and workshops across four continents, inspiring audiences on topics such as authentic connection, personal branding, digital marketing, and heart-centered leadership. Named an Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker alongside global icons like Richard Branson and Brené Brown, Bobby is a 5x TEDx speaker who has impacted over 500,000 individuals worldwide. Bobby has graced stages at prestigious events including InfoShare in Poland, Social Media Week Mumbai, and the Middle East Association Congress in Abu Dhabi, sharing actionable strategies for meaningful networking, personal growth, and leveraging digital platforms. Beyond the stage, Bobby is a coach who has designed programs such as TEDx Mastery Intensive Program, Personal Branding Discover Course, Paid Speaker Mastermind Program, Thought Leadership Branding Program, and aNetworking Mastery Course. These programs have guided and helped over 1,000 individuals hone their storytelling, craft impactful messages, develop a strong, branded digital presence, and deliver life-changing talks on global stages. Audiences leave Bobby’s sessions inspired, motivated, and equipped to: Develop and communicate their authentic personal brand. Build meaningful, results-driven connections. Leverage social media for professional growth and influence. Lead with heart, empathy, and purpose in all aspects of life. “Bobby’s clarity, passion, and actionable insights have transformed the way I approach my business and relationships. He truly walks his talk as a masterful connector and leader. Bobby is not just a speaker; he’s a catalyst for personal and professional growth.” — Janelle Morrison, Former Ironman Tri-Athlete Bobby’s unique blend of expertise—engineering (Bombardier), brand marketing (Kraft and Unilever), and performing arts (Second City)—gives him a distinct ability to connect with audiences across industries. As the founder of DYPB – Discover Your Personal Brand, Bobby led North America’s largest conference dedicated to personal branding, featuring 60 experts and 300+ attendees. His influence extends beyond the stage, with 750,000+ social media followers and over 2 billion impressions worldwide. Bobby is the speaker to book because… He is a well-known thought leader in networking, connections, building relationships, personal branding and social media He has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years He loves to and will make himself available throughout the entire time of your event, not just the talk His topics are relevant and of huge interest to your target market. He has been professionally speaking for over a decade to over 500,000 people around the world – Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and North America. He has a huge social media reach to promote the event and your organization. This includes 750k+ on social media and 10k in his email list. He has written a book on his networking expertise along with hundreds of blogs and video blogs sharing insights. His focus and why is to help small business owners and entrepreneurial leaders. When you book Bobby Umar, you’re not just hiring a speaker—you’re gaining a true partner who amplifies your event’s impact. Known for his high-energy delivery, deep empathy, and actionable takeaways, Bobby creates an immersive experience that leaves audiences energized, informed, and ready to act. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, leadership summit, or community gathering, Bobby is the ideal choice to deliver transformational results that resonate long after the event ends.

Kathryn Strachan is an award-winning fractional CMO, strategic advisor, and expert keynote speaker whose insights drive transformative growth for businesses globally. Known for her engaging presence on stage, Kathryn has spoken at prestigious events including Money20/20, the London Tech Summit, and the India SEO Conference, and has lectured as a guest at NYU’s MBA program. She regularly serves as an MC and panelist at industry summits like The Drum or FinTech Fringe and also hosts advanced marketing workshops for Semrush. With a strong online following of over 16,000 LinkedIn followers, Kathryn’s reach extends beyond the stage, where she actively connects with a global audience on topics from B2B marketing to leadership and workplace innovation. Her speaking repertoire spans courses and conferences such as the WEConnect Conference, CMA Summit, and MoneyLive, where she shares her expertise on B2B marketing and innovative workplace practices. She also actively contributes to podcasts on these topics, showcasing her thought leadership across various platforms. Formerly the founder and CEO of CopyHouse, Kathryn led the agency to a market-leading position with a team of 32 and a $1.5 million turnover, attracting top-tier tech clients. Her forthcoming book, Scaling Success: Building Brands that Break Barriers (Fall 2024) and her podcast, Marketers Unleashed, continue to expand her impact as a thought leader. Recognized by the CMA, The Drum, IoD, and BIMA with accolades like Young Director of the Year and Content Marketing Person of the Year (two years running), Kathryn’s expertise and leadership are acknowledged across the industry.

About Scott Deming Scott Deming is a highly accomplished senior executive with more than 30 years of success within agriculture, franchising, restaurants, food & beverage, not-for-profits, automotive, healthcare, retail, pharmaceuticals, utilities, visitor and tourism, financial and professional services, insurance, technology, distribution, manufacturing, and real estate. He leverages extensive brand development and strategic planning experience to improve an organization’s standing while implementing innovative solutions to support growth. Scott has proven his ability to build and motivate teams while developing unparalleled customer experience, innovation and leadership initiatives with his internationally acclaimed keynote presentations, training sessions and consulting arrangements. Scott works with companies spanning any industry with current clients including Kansas Hospital Association, Canadian Association of Fairs & Exhibitions, Daikon Heating & Cooling, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., McDonald’s of Russia, Hershey Foods, Pfizer, Delta Airlines, Verizon Wireless, General Motors, Farm Credit Bank, AT&T and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Scott works closely with clients to identify core requirements and develops solutions with an emphasis on culture transformation, employee motivation and engagement, and corporate goal attainment, drawing on 30+ years of corporate experience. Key indicators of his success are represented by his training and workshop sessions that have been considered so impactful, that The Vision Council issued CXO Certification to all attendees.; his consultancy input to a national manufacturer recognized in supporting the company’s achievement of record sales figures; and assisting a Verizon Wireless subsidiary franchisee with customer service improvements which resulted in an 80% increase in sales. From 1986 to 2003, Scott managed his own advertising company, establishing Deming Advertising and building a client portfolio prior to a company merger in 1991. By 1993, Scott had negotiated a buyout and returned his company to standalone status, rebranding the business as Ryan Communications Inc. He worked with B2B and B2C companies to formulate advertising solutions and grew the business to 70 employees and $30 million in annual revenue. His clients included Mom & Pop businesses and companies such as Benjamin Moore Paints, The Scotts Company, Bryant, Carrier, TroyBuilt, and Oki Data. In addition to his executive career, Scott is President and Chair of Safe & Sound with Amaya; Founder and former Board Member of Service Nation / Service Roundtable; and former Board Member with Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation. He has also served as an Advisory Board Member with United Way, American Heart Association, Salvation Army, Children’s Cancer Foundation, and Upstate Medical. He has also served as an Advisor and Lecturer on the topic of Career Development at various Universities and an Advisor and Mentor at Prison Engagements. Proving his thought leadership, Scott regularly contributes to blogs and Magazines. He has published articles in media including Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, Boston Globe, Sales & Service Excellence, and the Huffington Post. Scott is a confident and prolific public speaker. He has spoken at national leadership retreats, global leadership, sales and customer events, and user conferences. Scott has been interviewed for Fox News and national radio shows and has participated in live radio Q&A.

Hatem Salem: A Visionary Odyssey From Paris to Cairo: Crafting a Legacy Hatem Salem, the architect of narratives, weaves a tapestry of brilliance that spans continents. His journey, marked by innovation and impact, resonates through time. Let us delve into the symphony of his life. Versatility Unleashed Hatem’s journey unfolded across two cities: Cairo and the romantic city Paris. As a professor and lecturer, he wove narratives of Marketing, Media, Branding, and Advertising. His classrooms were canvases, and his words painted vivid futures for eager minds. But he was more than an academic; he was a seeker. In France, he donned the mantle of a senior researcher, unravelling the mysteries of communication. Parisian streets whispered secrets to his journalist’s pen. The Paris-Cairo Melody 1. Education and Enlightenment: Hatem’s journey began at the Jesuit, International French School, where he earned his high school certificate in French. Cairo University welcomed him, where he immersed himself in Mass Communication. His bachelor’s degree embraced Journalism, Mass Media, New Media, Cinema, Marketing, and Publicity. Seeking higher knowledge, he ventured to France, where he secured his Master’s Degree (D.E.A) in Mass Communication, Press, Publicity, New Media, and Cinema Science from Stendhal Grenoble 3. 2. Parisian Echoes: As a researcher at Stendhal University, he explored the nuances of Media Sciences for 5 years. Parisian streets whispered secrets to his pen. For over 5 years, he served as a press correspondent, capturing the pulse of the city. The Maestro of Agencies Media Hatem Salem: Founded in 1991, this agency orchestrates advertising, event management, PR, and broadcasting. Visit their realm at Media Hatem Salem. Brands & Branding: Since 2000, Hatem Salem has been the driving force behind this branding agency. Act CSR: Established in 2010, this agency champions Social Responsibility Communication. Explore their impact at Act CSR. Global Arabian Network (GAN): Since 2014, Hatem Salem has steered this global network, connecting minds across borders. Entrepreneurship: The Sonata of Creation The spotlight shifted to entrepreneurship. Hatem Salem founded and conducted symphonies of change: The International Branding Conference: A gathering of visionaries shaping the world’s narrative. Egypt CSR Day: Where corporate responsibility danced with societal impact. Salon du Chocolat France / Egypt Chapter: A sweet fusion of cultures. Cairo Fashion Week: Catwalks transformed into runways of dreams. Cairo Mobile Film Festival: Frames captured stories, and screens echoed applause. Egypt Shopping & Tourism Festival: Commerce met wanderlust. Blue Star Award: Business Global Award Golden Notes 1. Awards and Accolades: Seven golden prizes adorn Hatem Salem’s journey. The International Advertising Association New York/Egypt Chapter and the American University in Cairo crowned him Agency of the Year. Applause echoes through time. A Journey Across Borders and Disciplines Lecturer Extraordinaire Professor Hatem Salem embarked on his educational odyssey at Cairo University, where he ignited minds with captivating narratives. His lectures transcended mere presentations, bridging theory and practice. Dynamic Teaching on a Global Canvas At the French University, Professor Salem’s teaching style resonated with students, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Crossing borders, he enriched the academic landscape, infusing it with cosmopolitan flair. Keynote Speaker and Branding Visionary As a keynote speaker at: The International Branding Conference The Shopping & Tourism Festival Cairo Fashion Week Cairo Mobile Film Festival Salon Du Chocolat/Paris-Cairo The Future of Education Conference The Global Arabian Network Conference The Business & Branding Conference/London-Prague-Paris Egypt CSR day Channels: Sky News, Egyptian TV, Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera, BBC, France 24, Reuters Professor Salem wove together branding strategies, storytelling, and cutting-edge technology. His talks left audiences inspired, ready to transform their own narratives. A Visionary in Artificial Intelligence Crafting Tomorrow’s Narratives Hatem Salem, the maestro of media symphonies, transcends borders—from AI algorithms to deep learning. His expertise, honed across Cairo and Paris, is a beacon for the industry. Let us explore the symphony of his knowledge in AI. AI algorithms Enhancing Creativity Behavior Testing and Influence Predicting Behaviours Robots Brain The Unwritten Chapter The Impact of AI on Media: Hatem Salem, the storyteller, prepares to unveil his magnum opus—a book that delves into the soul of media. The unwritten chapter awaits—a canvas for his insights, observations, and revelations. Global Notes Hatem’s passport bore stamps of influence: French Chamber of Commerce, Egypt – A bridge between cultures. Apple Inc. Egypt – Cupertino’s heartbeat synced with his vision. Global Branding Network England / Egypt Chapter: Threads woven across continents. French Salon du Chocolat – A legendary show Global Arabian Network for Media, Marketing, and PR – A constellation of connections. French University in Egypt UFE – A Vision of Marketing British University in Egypt BUE – A Path to Positive Students Research University of Grenoble France: Future of Media

Meet Hamilton Mann Hamilton Mann is the Group Vice President of Digital Marketing and Digital Transformation at Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies, focusing on digital and ‘deep tech’ innovations such as artificial intelligence, big data, connectivity, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies to build a future we can all trust. As a forefront leader in digital transformation, he leads global transformative initiatives across the organization’s presence in 68 countries, helping large corporations, institutions, and governments make the world safer, greener, and more inclusive with the power of AI and digital technologies, in critical areas foundational for economic stability and the world’s sustainability: defense, aeronautics, space, cybersecurity, digital identity, and security. Prior to his tenure at Thales, he served as Director at Capgemini Invent, focusing on Business Technology, Innovation, Marketing, Globalization Strategy, and Organizational Transformation for Energy & Utilities, Transportation, and Aerospace Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate how to harness digital transformation to serve shareholder and stakeholder interests for the greater good of society. Hamilton is also Senior Lecturer at INSEAD, HEC Paris, and EDHEC Business School, where he imparts knowledge in Digital Transformation with the perspective of enabling the greater good in society. mentoring at the MIT Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center. He hosts ‘The Hamilton Mann Conversation,’ a masterclass podcast on ‘Digital for Good’ aiming at democratizing knowledge on what digital for good is, giving as many people as possible the opportunity to understand how digital can help make a better future for society. Regarded as a global thought leader, Hamilton has contributed to Stanford Social Innovation Review, Knowledge at Wharton, INSEAD Knowledge, Forbes, Harvard Business Review France, The European Business Review, Technology Magazine, and Les Echos, covering diverse topics about Artificial Integrity (that he coined as the new ‘AI’), Digital for Good, Digital Transformation, Sustainability, Innovation and Business Models for social good strategies. His upcoming book, Artificial Integrity (out in October), is essential for AI professionals and anyone interested in AI’s societal impact, equipping readers for the challenges and opportunities in a human-centered AI future. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Ethical AI Governance Group (EAIGG), a diverse community of AI practitioners focused on democratizing the growth of ethical AI through best practices and innovations in AI development, deployment, and governance. As a visionary pioneer of Digital for Good, he was recognized in the Thinkers50 Radar as one of the top 30 emerging business thinkers globally in 2024.