WPP Unveils First Wave of Sessions to Debut at SXSW Sydney

Each session will bring together partners and clients, international guest speakers, local innovators and the most influential thought leaders under one roof, providing a space to converge on WPP’s creative disciplines and AI leadership. 

Today, WPP is pleased to announce the first five sessions set to debut at SXSW Sydney 2024:

• Rich Williams, group executive creative officer, VML 

• Sarah Bailey, best-selling author and managing director, VML 

• Troy Lum, producer at Brouhaha (the production company behind the Logie Award winning ‘Boy Swallows Universe’) 

• Anabelle Lee, senior podcast producer and host, Shameless Media

An author, a screenwriter, an ad executive and a podcast host walk into a bar. Despite their distinct creative processes, adapted to their respective mediums, they share a common thread: creativity. In this panel, we’ll pick apart the fascinating journey of these creatives as they navigate the challenges of writing screenplays, books, and advertisements within today’s commercial, political, and cultural climates to bring their unique ideas to life. 

• Moderator: Adrian Warr, South APAC CEO, Burson

• Natasha Brack, director of communications APAC, Snap Inc.

• Sami Shah, comedian and writer

• Dr. Susan Carland, academic, author and social commentator

Brands want to be bold, creative and take a stand on the issues that win the hearts and minds of stakeholders who are making values-based choices – from consumers and customers to employees and shareholders, all while navigating the highs and lows of public commentary across social media and other platforms. But, in a global multi-stakeholder environment, this can range from complex to outright contradictory. Burson’s panel will discuss how organisations manage their reputation whilst taking a stand on social issues in an interconnected and divergent world. Reputation as capital has never been more important as companies with a strong reputation are proven to commercially outperform their competition. It's a balancing act with equal parts excitement and risk – and a standing ovation for those who manage it best.

• Rose Herceg, president Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, WPP 

• Katie Rigg-Smith, chief strategy officer Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, WPP

• David Speers, journalist, ABC 

• Prof. Ross Gordon, professor of behaviour and social change, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney 

Australia 2035: what are our hopes, fears, aspirations and desires? What does your business, or you as an individual need to do to prepare for 2035? Are you ready for what’s coming? In the sequel to WPP’s hugely successful research series, Secrets and Lies, we have embarked upon a new research series to uncover the Hopes, Fears, Aspirations and Desires of Australia as we head into 2035. This session will see a lively debate where the audience will walk away with a different perspective on the future of Australia, potentially an idea for a business or a new career path.

• Facilitated by: Craig Reucassel, writer, comedian, and broadcaster

• Simon Holmes à Court, director, The Superpower Institute

• Tim Devine, executive creative director, techno-ecologist and artist, AKQA

• Amanda McKenzie, CEO, Climate Council 

Australia is poised to lead the global charge into a zero-carbon future. This panel will delve into how ground-breaking digital tools and innovative solutions are helping to accelerate Australia’s energy transition and how rapid progress will enable us to become a global economic and industrial superpower that helps decarbonise the world.

• Trish Folan, general manager Landor 

• Alexander Leggaree, head of digital communications, APA Group 

• Vanessa Brown, director business development APAC, TikTok

• Rebecca Masci, reputation management, brand, marketing, and communications, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games 

We live in an era of complex problems: intractable, constantly changing threats that defy easy solutions. Instead of calling in the management consultants, how can we use creativity to solve our problems? In this interactive session, Trish Folan, Landor’s general manager in Australia, will facilitate a panel discussion around how creativity thrives in chaos and collaboration, and how people and ideas can – and are – solving complex problems through the power of creativity.

These sessions continue WPP's commitment to bring together partners, clients, and thought leaders under one roof, providing a space to converge on WPP’s creative disciplines and AI leadership. Further details about the remaining sessions will be released soon. For more information, check out the website.