Setup

@thomwinstanley shared what he’s most excited for for marketers in 2026 backstage!

Closing remarks—see you at Happy Hour! #AIMS2025

“Give the people what they want, but introduce them to what they didn’t know they needed.” @thomwinstanley on crafting the messaging at Edible Brands.

@thomwinstanley EVP & GM at Edible Brands, takes the stage #AIMS2025

“Red tape isn’t always a restriction. Red tape is an opportunity if you look at it.” @thomwinstanley discusses the policy and press that has crafted the cannabis industry and how he’s changing the narrative at Edible Brands. #AIMS2025

“Make it fun, but not funny.” @thomwinstanley shares they are targeting an older demographic at Edible Brands that isn’t just looking to get high, they’re looking to cannabis to help them sleep, relieve pain, and more. #AIMS2025

We caught up with Shivram backstage where he shared his number one tip for marketers planning for 2026. #AIMS2025

“There is no performance without a brand. Your bottom of the funnel doesn’t work if people don’t know what your brand is.” -Shivram Vaideeswaran

Next up: Shivram Vaideeswaran, SVP of Brand Marketing at @PapaJohns sits down for a fireside chat with Joe Koufman #AIMS2025

On the topic of AI, Shivram shares that AI is just a “calculator” that’s only “as good as the input.” He wishes it would create content with a higher “appetite appeal.”

“Everything starts with the consumer.” Shivram discusses product development and how @papajohns consistently launches campaigns in 3000 stores globally.

Midway break—attendees are enjoying networking activations by SWARM and @SagepathReply! Have you met anyone new?

Joe shares more on his vision for #AIMS2025

@DeishaBarnett shares that 90% of her team is using AI. She shares she knows how to write a killer prompt because she knows “the long way”. She’s finding the struggle has been teaching the younger generation how to leverage these tools when they don’t know the “long way”.

@DeishaBarnett, President, Global Communications (CCO) at @UPS takes the stage with Setup founder Joe Koufman for a fireside chat at #AIMS2025

“Our differences are the superpowers of an organization” @DeishaBarnett shares the importance of a fully integrated plan when executing at a large organization.

Behind the scenes at #AIMS2025 with Julie Bowerman from Kellanova. Julie shares the one thing she wants you to take away from her talk today!

“Authenticity is a valuable currency. Corporate speak is the devil. Keep it real.” @DeishaBarnett shares how important it is to speak in plain language to be an effective story teller, both internally and externally.

In a world of influencers Julie suggests you stay connected daily in culture. Examples she shared are Pringles collab with Crocs and Club Crackers collab with Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. #AIMS2025

Julie Bowerman (CMO, Kellanova) takes the stage at #AIMS2025

Julie shares it’s imperative for marketers to understand their audience, segment, and build a full funnel consumer journey.