The LifeLab

Sean Pattwell is the CEO and Founder of CW8, a global strategic advisory firm operating at the intersection of reputation, geopolitics, capital and emerging technology.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Sean on The LifeLab back in 2023 ( episode 15 if you’d like to revisit it), and it felt like the right moment to invite him back to share his perspective on how the global communications industry is evolving, and what the role and responsibility of advisory firms looks like in the age of AI.

By way of background, Sean founded CW8 after nearly two decades advising founders, boards, investors and governments as they navigate moments of strategic inflection; from market entry and regulatory pressure to geopolitical risk, public scrutiny and rapid technological change.

Sean has also served as Vice Chairman of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, covering Macau and Guangzhou. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Sanjana Gandhi is a recognized thought leader in tourism and hospitality space with over 15 years’ experience as a management consultant advising governments and private sector organizations in the culture, travel, and tourism industries.

One of the youngest ever female partners at Price Waterhouse Coopers in the Middle East, she has built a distinguished career helping clients shape national visions, implement long-term strategies, drive destination development, and embrace digital transformation for sustainable growth.

At PwC Middle East she leads strategic and transformation initiatives for public and private clients across the region specializing in tourism, entertainment, and culture.

Over the course of her career, Sanjana has advised most of the region’s leading tourism authorities, including Dubai Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, and Qatar Tourism.

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Sanjana has designed and led executive sponsorship and mentorship programs aimed at empowering female talent across organizations across the Middle East and beyond.

John Linden is the CEO of Mythical Games, a game company focused on building player-owned economies with top game developers and publishers in addition to own portfolioof games (Blankos, NFL Rivals, Nitro Nation, Pudgy Penguins coming soon).

Prior to Mythical Games, John was the President of Seismic Games, developer of Marvel Strike Force and Magic the Gathering: Valor’s Reach). Prior to Seismic Games,he was a Studio Head at Activision Blizzard on the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises.

Before the games industry, John was the Co-Founder / CTO at Adknowledge and at OpenX and built his own startups, Planet Alumni (acquired by Reunion.com) andLitmus Media (acquired by Think Partnership).
John is passionate about video games, the future of blockchain technologies and bringing emerging technologies to the mass market.

*This episode was recorded in December 2024

Majed Al Tahan is the Founder & CEO, International Applications Company (IACO) and the Co-Founder & CEO of Danube Online. He innovated Saudi Arabia's first online grocery shopping service in 2016 in partnership with BinDawood Holding and led the development and operation of e-commerce channels for Danube and BinDawood retail chains in Saudi Arabia. He has played a pioneering role in Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce grocery market. Majed is also the Executive Director of AlTahan Investments where he leads venture capital funding across fintech, healthcare, food production, technology, and media industries. He has founded and advised several businesses and sits on the boards of several companies and is a key figure in the Middle East’s tech landscape.

Jassem “J” Osseiran is an experienced entrepreneur and operational investor based in London. With a deep understanding of global finance gained through his Economics degree at the University of San Francisco, Jassem began his career as a tech venture builder with Rocket Internet in New York. He then shifted his focus to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), managing media portfolios and founding startups tailored to the region.

A sought-after advisor for high-growth brands and cutting-edge technology platforms, Jassem has orchestrated multiple successful exits, including a notable IPO on the London Stock Exchange. In 2020, he founded 611 Capital Investments, concentrating on investments, incubation, and market scalability across the EU, the Middle East, and Asia.

Currently, Jassem is the founder and Chief Strategy Officer of PlaysOut Technologies, where he is spearheading the commercial framework for seamlessly integrating mini-games within super apps.

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As a visionary leader, Erika has demonstrated a consistent ability to craft strategies that drive brand growth, cultivate authentic connections with consumers, and seize commercial opportunities.

Currently, Erika serves as the Global Vice President and General Manager of adidas /// studio, orchestrating the end-to-end go-to-market strategy, PNL, and business model for adidas's initiatives in blockchain, web3, gaming, and virtual experiences. Her leadership spans product development, content creation, marketing, and communication strategies, ensuring cohesion across all facets of the brand's initiatives.

Erika's career encompasses over 15 years of experience across industries including action sports, fintech, accelerated tech, fashion, gaming, and advertising, enabling her to cultivate iconic brands that resonate with diverse audiences. Previously, as the Global CMO of adidas originals, collaborations, and basketball, she led a global team of 90+, introducing 'The New Age of Originality,' a portfolio strategy that secured adidas's appeal to a new generation. Under her leadership, groundbreaking collaborations such as Gucci x adidas, Balenciaga x adidas, and the adidas originals collab with the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Gmoney, and Punks Comics emerged, solidifying her legacy in brand development.

In addition to her corporate roles, Erika is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and advisor on topics at the intersection of culture, commerce, and emerging technologies. Her expertise provides valuable insights to organizations navigating these rapidly evolving fields. Erika's mission is to help businesses become a force of positive commercial + social change.

Eithne Treanor is a professional conference moderator and international communications consultant. Having worked as a business TV reporter, her expert knowledge covers energy, technology, security, infrastructure, and leadership.

She is the founder and CEO of ETreanor Media, a successful communications training company based in Dubai, UAE.

As a former international broadcast journalist, her TV reporting experience spans major television networks including ABC News, Sky News, BBC World, Bloomberg and CNBC.

Mohammad Al Duaij graduated from Leeds University Business School in 2002 with an accounting and finance joint honours degree. Mohammad started his career at the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development as part of the Asian projects funding team. He followed this by joining Global Investment House as investment manager, forming and managing real estate funds around the world.

In 2008, he became the CEO of a single family office, Alea Global, where his responsibilities include investment in real estate and private equity, investment advisory, commodities trading and business development. Mohammad has earned his experience by working in diversified projects and dealing with high level individuals around the world. In 2017, he won the ‘Man of the Year’ Award from the Business Worldwide Publication. The title was awarded due to the success of Mohammad’s global mediation work, bringing countries together through business.

Adam Ridgway, Founder & CEO, ONE MOTO

Adam Ridgway is a sustainabilist, keynote speaker and focused entrepreneur. Adam specialises in sustainable product development, tech-driven vehicles and delivering the future of mobility to the everyday commuter and logistics sector.

In 2018 he founded, ONE MOTO, a multi-award-winning electric vehicle manufacturer company focused on smart mobility which offers a fleet of vehicles such as electric motorcycles, bikes, scooters, delivery and grocery vans, catering to the last-mile industry, as well as urban commuters. ONE MOTO has operations in 10 countries including the UAE, UK and India and Adam has pledged to showcase ONE MOTO’s journey towards creating a more equitable and sustainable world.

Adam moved to the UAE in 2008, where built a portfolio of start-up companies of four respected brands under The MEDIACUBED Group; with a collective of fantastic award-winning clients, a proud portfolio and a team that supported the vision of the businesses. He exited in 2019.

Before moving to the UAE, he spent a decade in the media industry in Europe, in front and behind the camera for production companies including; BBC, Channel 4 and Tiger Aspect.

With a love for story-showing and seeking out experiences, he’s a creative businessman with a mission to bring change.

Seán Pattwell is the CEO and Founder of CW8 Communications. Prior to forming the Company in 2018, Sean was the Global Head of Communications at aircraft leasing giant Avolon. Sean advises global technology leaders, NGOs, Governments and corporate players the world over. Sean spent over ten years in Asia advising many of the world's leading brands, and advised on some of the largest M&A transactions in Asia. A seasoned crisis communications advisor, Sean has also advised many leading corporations and governments through rapid response and crisis and issues preparedness and management.