Learn from the very best in the space of branded content and native advertising

Stine is the Chief Growth Officer at Native Advertising Institute. She recently returned to NAI after 4 years away. Previously, she has been NAI's Chief Operating Officer running the Native Advertising Days Conference and building and running the Native Advertising Awards Program.

Before her return to NAI, Stine headed up marketing for Solita A/S. Solita is one of the fastest-growing next-gen data consultancies in the Nordics with a rather advanced in-house team of tech-savvy marketers and is present in 8 markets.
Stine is first and foremost a firm believer in data-driven marketing fueled by content marketing, and she believes in running a well-oiled marketing machine by creating interest and excitement through inspiring, relatable, and relevant content designed to attract, engage, and delight external and internal stakeholders. She sees native advertising as a valuable means to increase the chances of presenting GREAT content and important messages to good people in their preferred channels.

Peter Wallace is General Manager for EMEA at GumGum. Peter has been at the forefront of shifting trends in the digital media industry for over 15 years: he led a team of digital specialists at behavioural planning agency Total Media and quadrupled revenue at audience data platform Eyeota before entering the brave new world of contextual advertising at GumGum six years ago. During that time, he has seen the business grow exponentially through both organic growth and acquisitions to now being the global leader in its space.

Natalia Talkowska is the CEO of NATALKA, a strategic innovation and storytelling consultancy that helps global organisations turn complexity into clarity and action. She partners with leaders in high‑stakes environments to align stakeholders, influence outcomes and drive tangible results, drawing on a distinctive blend of neuroscience, storytelling, foresight and visual thinking. Her clients include Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies such as Google, Disney and PwC, who rely on her to help critical ideas land and decisions move.

Across her career, Natalia has been recognised for building an AI creative tool for leaders, earning the title of Engineer of The Year. She is a six‑time TEDx speaker and global keynote, sharing practical insights on how to communicate with impact. In parallel, she serves as an Expert in Residence at Imperial College and guest lectures at leading institutions including LBS, UCL, UAL and CSM.

Bram de Leeuw is Creative Strategy Director at &C Media and creative lead of &C the Brandstudio, where he shapes the creative vision across platforms and formats. With more than 15 years of experience in diverse roles at several advertising agencies, he brings deep strategic insight and creative rigor to every project he leads, guiding brands from concept to compelling execution.

Since 2017, Bram has been one of the founders and the creative lead at &C, a Dutch independent 360 content brand and publisher known for its monthly lifestyle glossy, printed specials, online and social platforms, live events, podcasts, and e‑commerce initiatives. At in‑house agency &C the Brandstudio, he and his team develop and produce branded content campaigns for a broad range of brands in the Netherlands, blending editorial strength with smart, engaging storytelling that resonates across channels.

Lasse Nikkari is an award-winning Executive Producer and Head of Formats & Branded Entertainment at Sanoma Media Finland, the country’s largest multimedia house and second-largest commercial broadcaster. He leads the development, localization, and production of scripted and unscripted formats, and has built one of the strongest branded entertainment track records in the Nordics. At Nelonen Media, he plays a key role in shaping content strategy and guiding the business through ongoing digital transformation. Over his career, Lasse has introduced major global hit formats such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, Top Gear, The Traitors, Love It or List It, and Shark Tank to Finnish audiences, while growing branded entertainment output more than tenfold in just a few years. A lifelong student of brand marketing, he thrives on the changes reshaping the television industry and is energized by new opportunities, fresh ideas, and bold collaborations that push the boundaries of what TV can be.

Bart Gunst is Head of Intelligence at Mediafin, publisher of the leading business media brands De Tijd and L’Echo. In addition to leading B2B marketing at Trustmedia, Mediafin’s advertising sales house, Bart heads the company’s intelligence unit, which oversees all market research activities. 

With more than thirty years of experience in media, marketing, and market research, he has built deep expertise in translating the needs and purchasing behaviour of businesses and consumers into strategic recommendations for brands, advertisers, and media companies.

Karim Meggaro leads the content strategy team at Reuters Plus, the branded content studio of Reuters. He is also deeply involved in the AI strategy for Reuters Professional, working on the intelligence layer that increasingly underpins the business.

He has spent over fifteen years in content, starting as a journalist on oil-and-gas country reports and later founding an independent travel magazine out of Mumbai and Madrid. 

Before Reuters Plus, he was Head of Content Strategy at Delinian, formerly Euromoney; Commercial Director at Grist and Senior Editor and Account Director at FT Longitude. 

Karim read philosophy at Edinburgh, concerned with how humans form beliefs, make decisions, and justify action. He has spent much of his time since in B2B marketing working on an applied version of the same questions — only at scale, with a budget, and a deadline.

Kristina Magnusson has worked with Native Advertising for many years. When AI started to emerge, she was quick to jump on board. How can we create even better solutions for our clients? Kristina now works with automation and AI as a business developer at Bonnier News, involved in everything from HR and the reader business to advertising. She creates the conditions to improve business, workflows, and make knowledge easily accessible for everyone at Bonnier News.

Gavin McAuliffe serves as Group Head of the Content Studio at The Irish Times Group, where he leads creative teams and drives content innovation across multiple platforms. With a keen eye for storytelling and a strategic mindset, Gavin brings a wealth of expertise to the intersection of media, communications, and brand engagement. His career spans the publishing, broadcasting, and agency worlds, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the evolving media landscape. Gavin’s academic background includes an MBA from UCD Smurfit School and an MSc in Creative Commercial Communications from TUD/IAPI, underscoring his commitment to both creative excellence and commercial impact.

Veronica Valdes serves as the Global Director of Creative Strategy at Condé Nast, where she leads international branded content and creative solutions for top fashion, luxury, beauty, and travel brands. She focuses on crafting compelling, multi-market storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences, using her strategic insight and collaborative leadership to enhance some of the world’s most influential lifestyle brands. Veronica has built a strong reputation for combining creativity with strategic precision, establishing herself as a key industry figure. Her approach centers on partnership and innovation, driving impactful campaigns that connect brands with global audiences. At Condé Nast, she continues to push the boundaries of branded content, ensuring each project aligns with the brand’s vision and the evolving market landscape.

Raquel Bubar is a London-based leader who oversees all creative partnerships for New York Times Advertising across EMEA and APAC. Renowned for her bold, inspiring approach to branded content, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the NYT’s international advertising presence. Raquel’s expertise in creative storytelling has driven award-winning campaigns for global brands such as L’Oreal, Birkenstock, UBS, and Cartier. Her leadership has earned her the title of “Marketer of the Year” by the Native Advertising Institute in 2025, while her team—spanning London, Paris, and Singapore—has been recognized by the Muse Creative Awards, Signal Awards, Digiday Awards, World Media Awards, and The Drum Awards. Before joining The New York Times, Raquel led public relations and social media campaigns at Edelman in New York and Washington, D.C. She holds an M.A. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in History and Psychology from Brandeis University. Originally from Washington, D.C., Raquel now calls London home, where she lives with her husband and son.

Eva Van Driessche serves as Creative Director at Roularta Brand Studio, where she leads native advertising and storytelling initiatives across a diverse range of premium lifestyle and business media. She is recognized for her strategic insight and editorial expertise, guiding teams to create branded content that deeply connects with audiences and enhances brand narratives. With over twenty years in publishing, Eva has developed strong journalistic instincts and leadership capabilities, steadily advancing through editorial roles focused on bridging brands and readers through authentic, impactful stories. Outside of work, Eva enjoys uncovering new stories, whether flipping through a magazine or sharing a coffee with friends, reflecting her passion for connection and discovery.

Romy Oltuski is the executive editor of the Forbes Content & Design Studio, where she leads a talented team in crafting engaging editorial and branded content. She combines a strong editorial vision with a collaborative leadership style, ensuring each project reflects both creativity and strategic purpose. Romy’s expertise lies in content development and design, guiding her team to produce award-winning work that resonates with diverse audiences. Her professional journey includes key roles such as features director at InStyle and staff writer positions at Self, Harper’s Bazaar, and ABC News. Romy’s bylines have appeared in prestigious publications like The New York Times, Vogue, Playboy, and The Cut. She has conducted interviews with notable figures including Stacey Abrams, Katie Couric, Misty Copeland, and Tina Fey. Romy holds an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a BA in English literature from Tufts University, and she is based in New York City.

Megan Gilbert is Vice President of the 350+ award-winning Fortune Brand Studio. She drives the editorial direction, strategy, and production of all branded content, leading the creative studio team and guiding storytelling in all formats for high-profile global clients such as Salesforce, PayPal, De Beers Group, Accenture, and more. Her career includes positions at VICE, Gawker/Gizmodo, Univision, The Washington Post, and Slate. She was named to the 2024 class of Ragan’s ranking of Top Women in Marketing, won Content Marketer of the Year in 2022 (Women in Content Marketing Awards), and was included on the 100 Most Significant Women in Native Advertising list in 2026, 2025, and 2018. Megan holds an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College and teaches Branded Content at New York University.

David Lennon is a seasoned leader in branded content, currently spearheading Fortune Brand Studio at Fortune Media in New York. He excels in building high-performing creative teams and developing innovative content and commercial campaigns for some of the world’s most prominent brands. His leadership is distinguished by a commitment to creative excellence, evidenced by over 700 international awards his teams have earned, including D&AD Pencils, Webby, Cannes Lion, and Anthem Awards. David began his career in advertising at McCann-Erickson in Manchester, U.K., establishing a solid foundation in the industry. He then advanced to lead branded content teams at Bloomberg in New York and London, The Wall Street Journal, and Vice Media in Brooklyn. Throughout his career, David has consistently demonstrated an ability to guide teams in delivering impactful, award-winning work across the global media landscape.

Yolanda Morgan is a Creative Strategist at the Financial Times. After moving from sales into strategy, she has worked with countless blue chip companies to drive high engagement through high quality, compelling content. As part of her commitment to innovative storytelling, Yolanda has found a passion for understanding how AI can can become an effective part of the creative process.

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

Nico Sarti is a seasoned global marketing and media strategist, recognized for his expertise in leading integrated marketing campaigns and shaping brand strategies for some of the world’s most influential companies. With a keen ability to blend creativity and data-driven insights, Nico consistently delivers marketing solutions that not only resonate culturally but also drive measurable business growth. Over the course of more than 20 years, Nico has built a distinguished career partnering with industry leaders such as Condé Nast, The Economist, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Nike, and Disney. His experience spans a diverse range of sectors, underscoring his adaptability and depth of knowledge. Colleagues and clients alike value his strategic vision and approachable leadership style, which have been instrumental in elevating brands on a global scale.

Rob is the co-founder of Exhibit B Partners, where he specializes in helping organizations develop and expand their thought leadership strategies. He combines a sharp understanding of emerging trends with a collaborative style to create impactful, forward-thinking content that enhances both brand presence and industry expertise. Before founding Exhibit B Partners, Rob co-founded and led FT Longitude as CEO, a B2B content strategy firm that earned a strong reputation for excellence and was acquired by the Financial Times Group in 2018. His career reflects a steady progression in thought leadership and B2B marketing, marked by frequent speaking engagements and insightful commentary. Outside of work, Rob enjoys sharing ideas on business storytelling and is always eager to explore new perspectives, making him a dynamic and approachable leader in his field.

Hannah Springett is the Founder and CEO of HLabs, a London-based creative strategy and digital agency recognized for bespoke interactive experiences and award‑winning work. She leads a global team of more than 40 creatives across multiple time zones, overseeing end‑to‑end services in creative direction, digital strategy, design, development, production, video and animation, illustration, 3D, editorial, and content creation. With strong expertise in no‑code platforms, she and her team bring complex interactive ideas to life quickly while maintaining a sharp focus on creative excellence. 

Originally a graphic designer, Hannah has built her career into leading HLabs as a full‑service agency that supports clients with everything from pitch decks and campaign landing pages to full website launches. Under her leadership, HLabs continues to push the boundaries of web design and interactive storytelling, helping clients solve problems, streamline processes, and deliver standout digital experiences.

Emma is Head of Client Solutions for WIRED's Consulting division — a team dedicated to connecting businesses with the WIRED brand and network, giving them the insight to understand emerging trends, anticipate change, and future-proof their organisations.

Deeply passionate about innovation and technology, Emma oversees the creation and execution of WIRED Consulting's flagship programs. Working with clients including JP Morgan, Ford, Microsoft and LinkedIn, she translates complex needs and emerging trends into dynamic initiatives that leverage WIRED's DNA to engage and inspire audiences across diverse channels and global markets.

Rob brings over three decades of media expertise to his current role at Immediate Media, where he leads with a blend of creativity and boldness. Known for his approachable style and innovative thinking, he thrives in an environment that values positivity and encourages pushing boundaries. Rob’s leadership is marked by a genuine passion for his work and a commitment to fostering a culture of creativity within his team. 

His career spans a rich variety of agency and client-facing positions across numerous newspaper and magazine publishers, reflecting both depth and versatility in the industry. With more than 15 years dedicated to building successful partnerships, Rob has established a strong professional network, including a following of over 3,000 on LinkedIn. His journey showcases a steady progression and a reputation for embracing new challenges with enthusiasm and expertise.