Jess Northend, policy lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, joins Future Thinking to explore innovations that are changing the world – from AI to biotech to crypto – and how brands and organisations can keep up with the pace of change. We also explore the Innovation of the Week and the Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts.

Future Thinking was in Austin, Texas last week for the annual SXSW festival, where we spoke with brands including extended reality (XR) specialists Spatial, wireless tech giant Qualcomm, and the Human Rights Foundations, and a host of start-ups showcasing their innovations at the SXSW Creative Expo. Also featuring insights on key SXSW trends from Stylus experts.

Benedict Evans, independent analyst, and former partner at US venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, joins us to discuss the state of tech in 2022 – covering everything from crypto and privacy to the metaverse and beyond. We also explore the Innovation of the Week and the Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts.

Donna Dozier Gordon, head of inclusion & diversity at H&M, joins us to discuss the retail brand’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) work, why it makes both ethical and commercial sense, and how socially conscious Gen Z consumers are reshaping the cultural landscape. We also explore the Innovation of the Week and the Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts.

Bruce Daisley, ex-VP EMEA at Twitter – now host of the business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat and author of The Joy of Work – joins us to discuss the future of the workplace post-pandemic. We also explore the Innovation of the Week and The Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts. 

Ford’s chief futurist Sheryl Connelly discusses the automotive brand’s 2022 Trend Report, which explores the macro trends set to shape the next few decades of consumer engagement. From the future of family to work and socialising, Connelly reveals how businesses can embrace the power and potential of change. We also examine the Innovation of the Week and The Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts.

Manya Koetse, editor-in-chief of What’s On Weibo, and Rui Ma, founder of Tech Buzz China, discuss key tech, media and consumer trends in China – from what’s shaking up e-commerce, to opportunities in social media engagement. We also explore the Innovation of the Week and The Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts. 

Kelsey Weekman, editor at Yahoo’s youth culture platform In The Know, reveals the secrets to successfully engaging with Gen Z. Also on the show, Kimberly Joi McDonald, founder of interior design firm Designing Joi, discusses how she advocates for diversity and inclusion in design; and we explore the Innovation of the Week and The Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts. 

Kerry Thorpe, head of communications at Ben & Jerry’s, discusses all aspects of the ice-cream company’s activist mission – from balancing purpose and playfulness, to ensuring brand fans are engaged long-term. Also, Carlos Silis, founder of Mexican marketing firm The Moonshot Company, talks digital strategy; and we explore the Innovation of the Week and The Next Big Opportunity with Stylus experts.

A special edition of Future Thinking exploring key trends that will impact brands and consumers in 2022. Amanda Ho, CEO of conscious travel platform Regenerative Travel, and Sam Field, Director of Creative Technology at Yahoo Creative Studios, offer insight and inspiration for the year ahead; and Stylus experts discuss Stylus’s Look Ahead 2022 series of reports.