Leila Fataar’s Post

Looking forward to chopping it up about inclusivity and AI with Laura Montarroso Daher Kelliesha W. Christopher Kenna and Dr Kevin Stanley-Dowd at UK Creative Festival today 🗣️ I also cover this in my incoming book: #CultureLedBrands so can’t wait to learn more ✍🏾 Forever repping Platform13 #platform13_ 🔋

🇬🇧ELECTION DAY, UK, 2024 🗳️ Heading out to vote in what should be a historic moment in the UK. In fact, in a time of radical transformation, this year is the tipping point with 49% of the world voting, which means all our lives are going to be impacted…and not necessarily for the better. But it also means using our voice and power in a world where we can feel helpless with decisions made by our ‘leaders’. This year has really shown exactly where and how this works. Politics impacts everything, and especially and ALWAYS culture. I talk about what that means for brands in my book #CultureLedBrands, out next year. Currently finishing a chapter entitled Political Sensitivity globally: Navigating Brand Positioning in a Polarised Era Image: Maria Ressa, Lionheart Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity ✊🏾

In a world in such radical transformation, feeling grateful for another year around the sun. Loving being 51 today. 🎉 My book, #CultureLedBrands is almost there and out next year, marking 30 years in my field, from pre-internet to now, with everything learned literally from the ground up. 😬 It’s been amazing reliving my path, finally appreciating how much I have achieved (from where I am from, this was not supposed to be my life), and realising just how much I love what I do. Long may it continue🔋 Photo from the Speakers Lounge at #canneslions2024 using Rayban Meta glasses 😎

Thurs, 20th June at 11am, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, is my 2nd session repping Platform13 💚🗣️ I was so happy to be asked by Sharon Harris to be part of this important conversation with Keisha Taylor Starr and hosted by Marissa Nance on a subject I am passionate about. Titled “Weaving Threads of Culture: The Essence of Storytelling,” we delve into the heart of narratives that transcend time and place. ‘Our esteemed panelists will explore how storytelling serves as a powerful vessel for preserving and conveying cultural heritage, beliefs, and values. They will discuss the intricate ways in which stories reflect the diversity of human experience and how cultural relevance in storytelling fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of different perspectives. Through a series of engaging conversations, the panel will highlight: ● The Role of Cultural Context: How the setting, characters, and plot are shaped by the storyteller’s cultural background. ● Cultural Identity and Expression: The ways in which stories can affirm cultural identity and serve as a form of expression for marginalized voices. ● Adaptation and Evolution: How stories evolve when they travel across cultures and the significance of adaptation while maintaining cultural integrity. ● Impact on Audiences: The influence of culturally rich stories on audiences and their ability to build bridges between diverse groups.’ Can’t wait 🔋💯#platform13_

Amazing reunion with one of my fave people Edward Pilkington at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity - he brought me onto his Leadership Team at drinks heavyweight Diageo to ‘disrupt’ the business…and I learned a lot! Together, we created the Culture & Entertainment Dept working across the portfolio of big brands across Europe - Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Gordon’s, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan. Just some of the projects from year 1 of the 2 years I was there here: https://lnkd.in/eyTFzenN This is an appreciation post for a very senior leader who covered me when the biz didn’t understand what I was doing there, backed me when I needed to update processes and ways of working incl procurement and believed in me (even when he may not have totally agreed) to deliver non-traditional brand projects. This has enabled me to do some of my career and brand defining projects, supported the launch of Platform13 and I am honoured that he has agreed to write the foreward in my upcoming 2025 book, #CultureLedBrands So good to catch up. 💯

In the first of my 2 panels at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, today’s is at the debut Brands&Culture Villa - talking culture and repping Platform13, as always🔋 Hosted by Laura Davis, I’ll be sharing my knowledge on the subject with Robbert de Vreede Stephanie Shaw François VOGEL and Matt Watson 🗣️ Topic: Brands both reflect the world & offer a window into new worlds. But as savvy brand marketers know, you can’t dabble or force your way into culture. It’s a long-game, but also one that sometimes requires a very immediate response. It’s a delicate balance of robust, values-driven strategy, a strong point of view and agility when it matters most, (i.e responding to significant moments and events). In this panel, our speakers will explore the foundations of shaping culture as a brand and business growth driver and why shaping and creating is always better than imitating and reacting to culture. We’ll cover how not to culturally misfire, why credibility is about what matters to your consumers and the critical role of internal culture. Congrats to Charlotte Williams and team to putting this together 💚 #platform13_

On way to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and saw my book publisher Kogan Page Publishing 🔌 Is that my space Donna Goddard-Skinner Jeylan Ramis? 😬🤟🏾 #CultureLedBrands out 2025 🔋 Sign up at our Platform13 newsletter for updates and pre-sale info: https://lnkd.in/ezhNCA_s #platform13 _

Was lovely to be back at this years YMS - Youth Marketing festival. This time, I hosted 2 sessions across the Trends & Culture and Social Media tracks. A Platform13 ‘In Conversation’ around the theme of FANDOM with an old friend: Daniel Richmond, global Head of Marketing for Umbro - the brand literally doing the most at the moment. We swapped do’s and don’ts from our years of experience in this area. Fun times! The second was on behalf of Pion (owners of YMS) hosting a chat about the Ultimate Collab with Tom Rainsford of Beavertown Brewery and David Morris from Bang & Olufsen sharing stories from my time at adidas and Diageo covering sportswear to fashion, FMCG to luxury. And had a quick catch up with the legend Paul McEntee too. Shouts to Olivia Newman again. #platform13_ #genz #genzalpha #gena #fandom #fanculture #collaborations

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity incoming. There all week. Who is about and what should I not miss? Besides the inspiring talks, one incredible memory was from a few years ago (when I was Head of Culture & Entertainment at Diageo) was an intimate event by our partner Live Nation Entertainment in the Cannes Hills, featuring Nirvana and Foo Fighters legend, Dave Grohl in a surprise performance and great drinks of course 🤌🏾