It's No Fluke

David Shelley is Chief Executive Officer of the Hachette Book Group, which is home to seven publishing divisions – Basic Books Group; Grand Central Publishing; Hachette Audio; Little, Brown and Company; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orbit; and Workman Running Press Group. He also serves as CEO of Hachette UK, the second largest UK publisher, with 12 autonomous divisions and over 50 imprints.  

During his tenure, he published bestselling authors including Mitch Albom, Mark Billingham, Patricia Cornwell, Carl Hiaasen, Dennis Lehane, Val McDermid, and J.K Rowling. 

In 2015, he was named CEO of Orion and Little, Brown, and later appointed Group CEO of Hachette UK in 2018. In 2024, Lagardère tapped David to also oversee Hachette Book Group in the US as part of a new English-language management structure. He has since transformed the New York-based company, ushering in new imprints, high-profile hires, and boosting revenue and profit – HBG sales were up 7% over 2023—the biggest jump posted by any of the groups in Lagardère’s publishing business.  

David’s leadership is defined by the company’s four strategic business pillars: Understanding Consumers, Changing the Story, Owner Mentality and Growth Mindset. He fosters open communication with the 3,500 employees he leads across

 both sides of the Atlantic, cultivating a sense of community while aligning all business teams. David is an Officer and past President of the Publishers Association, a trustee of The Reading Agency, and a director of Tate Enterprises.

Jamie McLaughlin is the Founder and CEO of Monday Talent. He is regarded as an authority in Marketing, Creative and Communications recruitment and search, successfully working in the industry for nearly 20 years, across 5 continents and partnering with the world’s most regarded brands.

Jamie has an unrivaled global network and has created formidable tactical partnerships with some of the most high-profile organizations. He sits on the boards of the Institute for Public Relations, USC Annenberg School of Communication, creative agency ConCreates, influencer marketing firm Social Studies - as well as advising The Marketing Academy and Celtic Football Club

Maria A. Rodriguez is the VP of Marketing and Communications at Open Influence, a global creator marketing agency that has shaped the industry since 2013. With over 13 years of experience spanning journalism, digital media, and strategic communications, her career has been built at the intersection of media, culture, and technology.

She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations from USC, where she began her research on the global creator economy. Since joining Open Influence in 2017, Maria has led brand, content, and communications efforts—positioning the agency as a trusted partner to Fortune 500 brands and a thought leader in creator marketing. She is passionate about helping modern marketers harness the creativity of creators to build authentic, engaged brand communities.

Barbara Duffek is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Barbara holds a PhD from Imperial College London.

In her research, she explores the cooperation between different stakeholders in influencer marketing, with the goal of better understanding how influencers can be effectively leveraged. She also explores the use of AI in consumer behavior, including how it impacts pro-social behavior, interaction with influencers and virtual influencers and the metaverse.

Barbara's research has been published at leading marketing journals, including the Journal of Marketing, the Journal of International Marketing, and AMS Review. She teaches Generative AI Applications in Marketing to undergraduate students, and Customer Relationship Management to graduate students at Georgia State University

She has been invited as an expert speaker at various industry and academic events to discuss how AI is shaping the future of marketing

James Heath is the VP of Creator Marketing at TelevisaUnivision, boasting 8 years of experience in the creator economy. With a career spanning various roles in growth strategy, audience development and talent management, James has navigated every creator era, from MCN to TikTok house.

In his current role, he has reshaped TelevisaUnivision’s creator capability by launching a new model for brand partners that integrates U.S. Hispanic creators into Latin culture’s biggest moments across music, sports and more, executing campaigns for 40+ blue-chip brand partners. James is at the forefront of developing innovative practices in the ever-evolving creator marketing landscape.

Anne-Margot Rodde, Founder & CEO, Creators Corp.

For nearly two decades, Anne-Margot Rodde has been a pioneering force in video games, digital media, and the metaverse, holding strategic roles at leading agencies and driving high-profile projects for brands like Microsoft Xbox and PlayStation. Margot launched her first gaming venture with experiential agency WePlay, serving clients such as EA, Riot Games, Nexon, Epic Games, and IGN. After the pandemic opened new doors, she transitioned from the agency world to launch Creators Corp., an award-winning Fortnite Creative studio at the intersection of the creator economy and the metaverse. Creators Corp. specializes in designing original games that inspire and engage global audiences, partnering with IP holders and content creators across entertainment and gaming, while thoughtfully integrating brands where it adds value.

Jake Laumann, Data Analyst at Creators Corp. 

As a former esports leader at Major League Baseball and video game expert, Jake Laumann holds the position of data analyst at Creators Corp., where he supports the team with gameplay optimization and on-platform marketing. 

Kevin Herrera is a veteran of the creator economy with 18+ years in the game. Currently operating TheMachine and previously at The Gersh Agency, Kevin's prophetic thought leadership has led to a sizable LinkedIn following, hundreds of millions of dollars earned for his clients and a network of creator representatives nearing 1,000 members. Kevin is a rare mix of storyteller and business acumen. He is based in Southern California.

Armando Turco is the President of Mojo Supermarket, a certified minority owned agency headquartered in Chinatown, NYC. Mojo Supermarket helps make brands more interesting, and is the Social Content AOR for brands like TikTok, Lululemon and The Truth Initiative.

Armando Turco was previously the SVP of Global Brand & Creative at Oatly, the world’s original and largest oat milk company. In his role leading the Oatly Department of Mind Control, Armando was responsible for all global brand strategy and creative development, earning him a spot on the Adweek Creative 100.

Prior to joining Oatly, Armando spent 20 years managing brand partnerships at Vox Media and agencies including BBH and McCann. He has developed strategies and content with leading brands like Sephora, PlayStation, Johnnie Walker, Axe and Verizon. He lives in New York City with his rescue mutt Andre Johnson.

Jennifer Wakefield, APR, is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP). In her role, she is responsible for collaborating with public and private sector stakeholders to set and drive the organizational vision.

She assumed her current role in February 2021 after joining the organization in 2017. During her time as President and CEO, she created a new strategic framework for the organization, doubled the size of the Board, added new investors and increased the private sector budget over 70 percent in the last 3 years. 

Prior to GRP, Jennifer served as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Orlando’s regional economic development organization for 11 years. She worked on numerous transformational projects including the Amway Center, Citrus Bowl, Lake Nona Medical City, SunRail, and the merger of two Orlando-area economic development groups.

In her 20+ year career, she has garnered extensive experience in strategic planning, marketing and communications, operations and management and is a recognized thought leader in developing marketing strategies for economic development. Jennifer also has experience in the transportation, utility and financial services industries.

Alessandra Catanese serves as CEO of Smosh, the internet’s largest sketch comedy brand and a pioneer in creator-first entertainment, redefining comedy for the digital generation. Catanese’s career has spanned the evolution of the digital creator space, from helping establish the talent department at Maker Studios during the early days of YouTube, to launching the Los Angeles division of Patreon in 2016. She went on to become a leading talent manager at Anonymous Content, where she signed creators including BennyDrama, Anthony Padilla, and Kelsey Darragh. In 2020, Catanese co-founded Pressalike alongside Padilla, producing digital-first creator content that has earned multiple Streamy nominations and a Webby Award.

In 2023, she helped lead Pressalike’s acquisition of Smosh, where she now oversees operations for the pioneering comedy collective, helping it double in size, both in fanbase as well as employees. Under her leadership, Smosh continues to build on its legacy, having grown into an independent media and production company pushing the boundaries of digital-first comedy.