Brandweek Threw the Doors Open—and Marketers Stepped Through

“Do not punish your team for suggesting doors that would violate existing doors. Look for opportunities to be collaborative and creative.”

This simple advice from podcaster Jonathan Fields, which he shared in a session at Brandweek last week in Atlanta, was not just a helpful tip for every leader in the room; it was symbolic of the entire three-day event, which felt like a real re-set of the industry’s tone.

The session, called “Navigating Uncertainty,” was a funny, informative, and deeply human presentation on how to help your team stay optimistic and inventive in difficult times. This was a theme present throughout the conference.

I was fortunate to speak at Brandweek this year. Usually, my schedule requires me to zoom in and zoom out of events. This year, I intentionally carved off a