Former Apple chief and UN strategist among first speakers for The Drum's Can-Do Festival
A former chief executive of Apple and the strategist behind the UN's open brief to crack coronavirus communications are among the first speakers to be announced for The Drum's Can-Do Festival, a new event dedicated to creative disruption at a time when the world has never been more disrupted.
First speakers for The Drum's Can-Do Festival revealed including former Apple chief John Sculley and the UN's Dawda Jobarteh
Streaming online for two weeks from 15 June, the virtual gathering will celebrate the best practice, amazing innovation and can-do attitude which lies at the heart of the marketing industry.
John Sculley, who was chief executive of Apple for 10 years and also previously served as president of Pepsico, will share his wealth of business insights alongside David A. Steinberg, the vastly experienced marketing entrepreneur who now runs Zeta Global.
Dawda Jobarteh, global head of the Sustainable Development Strategy Goals at the UN, will tell us what he learned from the organisation's recent open creative brief to source Covid-19 campaigns which drew thousands of responses from around the world. He'll be joined by Talenthouse co-founder Maya Bogle, whose community helped support the effort.
Also confirmed on the bill so far are Sherilyn Shackle, The Marketing Academy's chief executive, and Fred Levron, the FCB Global worldwide creative partner who was crowned the world's top industry talent in this year's World Creative Rankings.
Levron will be joined by fellow global creatives who performed strongly in our rankings, including Publicis Italy’s chief creative officer Christiana Bocassinni and BBDO Mena's chief creative officer Paul Shearer, to discuss the secrets of running a world-class creative department.
Continuing with the creative theme, Havas London's chief creative officer Vicki Maguire, M&C Saatchi London chief creative officer Ben Golik and The Beano's managing director Amy Garrett – all fresh from judging this year's Chip Shop Awards – will share wisdom about harnessing great ideas.
And completing the launch line-up are two industry heavyweights: Nils Leonard, founder of Uncommon Creative Studio and Dr Ryan Wallman, associate creative director of Wellmark. More names and sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Gordon Young, editor-in-chief of The Drum, said: "The Can-Do Festival is dedicated to creative disruption at a time when the world has never been more disrupted, and creative thinking has never been more needed.
"All the things the industry has talked about for decades – the demise of the high street, the end of cash, education going online, the end of print, the rise of home working and adoption of tech to solve medical issues are happening now. These are historic times and this festival will help the industry take stock and work out its role in this new reality."
On the launch line-up, Stephen Lepitak, executive editor of The Drum, added: "The Drum's Can-Do Festival will aim to help the global media and marketing sector bounce back from the hardship it currently faces by generating business insights from industry leaders from all around the world. Watch this space as we add more top talent and inspiring leaders to our line-up."
More speakers will be announced over the coming ahead before the festival swings into life from 15 – 26 June.
To find out more about The Drum Can Do Festival register your interest here or contact Lynn Lester, The Drum’s director of events for more details.