Our Speakers

• Jeff Swystun

  CCO, DDB

  Topic: Insights that Incite

  Jeff leads DDB Worldwide’s branding and marketing communications, is Dean of Catalyst, DDB’s University, and is a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to DDB, Jeff led brand and marketing communications at Interbrand, where he was the Chairman of the Interbrand Foundation. He has held senior leadership roles in financial and professional services firms, including Assante Corp., Pollard Banknote and Price Waterhouse. At Price Waterhouse, Jeff led the competitive intelligence program, served on the firm’s brand positioning task force, and created methodologies in strategy and marketing.

  Jeff is a prolific speaker and writer. He has spoken at more than 100 conferences in over 25 countries. He is the editor of The Brand Glossary, The Brand Marketers Report, Best Global Brands, Best Canadian Brands, and Best Chinese Brands. He is a guest editor for Marketing Magazine, Infobrand, and brandchannel.com, where he writes on brand consistency, catalysts for branding, and global branding. Jeff has featured in The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, AdAge, Fast Company, BusinessWeek, Forbes, BrandWeek, Rolling Stone, Managing Intellectual Property, Brand from the Inside, The Nature of Marketing, Why Mexicans Don’t Drink Molson, Business and Society, Online Marketing, and Marketing Management.

  Jeff frequently appears as a marketing expert on CNBC, ABC, NBC, CNN, BNN, CTV, CBC and BBC. A Nightly Business Report series on China featuring Jeff as a branding expert received an Emmy. He is the Branding & Marketing Expert for the Society of Industry Leaders, a member of the Design Management Institute, CMO Network, Strategy Professional’s Network, and sits on an advisory panel of a leading strategy consultancy.

  In Jeff's Conversuasion discussion, he emphasizes the importance of originality in our industry that should be brought to the table. “That’s why I love this business, it’s all about objectivity. The number one reason clients bring you in? Fresh thinking.”

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• Mia Wedgbury

  Co-Founder, High Road Communications

  Topic: The Living Nature of Your Culture: Cultivating or Killing It

  As president of High Road Communications, Mia operates Canada's largest public relations agency focused on technology and digital lifestyle. A seasoned PR expert with over 20 years of experience, Mia has directed global brand positioning programs, handled crisis communications, managed international product launches and developed PR strategy for companies across the entire tech and lifestyle spectrum.

  In her discussion at Conversuasion, Mia suggested that more companies should implement a review system which rewards risk, even involving failure if the employee can prove the lessons learned are of value.“We need to create confidence for people to be able to take risks. We need to become more hardcore about the fact that we’re experts. Our ideas are being watered down to something we’re not proud of.”

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• Greg Hounslow

  Manager, Emerging Media, WestJet

  Topic: From Polar Bears to Social Media

  Greg oversees WestJet's award-winning social media program, including channel strategy, social media marketing, social customer service, analytics and community outreach. His program is frequently referenced as a case study in how to do social media right. He is continuing to push himself push creative boundaries, and utilize different approaches to maximize ROI. He is an active contributor to WestJet's Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram communities, and truly believes he has the best job in the world.

  Greg is the father of three including twins, holds a degree in Tourism Management and has travelled to five continents.

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Our Host

• Ed Lee

  Sr. Director, Social Media, Tribal DDB

  About Ed

  As Social Media Director for Tribal DDB, Ed explores the exciting social media landscape with clients, guiding them through the use of new technologies, providing innovative ways to engage stakeholders online, and spreading social creativity.

  A leading blogger in the Canadian PR, social media and marketing space, Ed is fascinated with all new and online media channels and their application to communications and marketing. Ed was recognized as one of Marketing Magazine's "30 Under 30", and is a frequent speaker on the online marketing industry, writing articles for trade media and appearing on BNN as an expert in social media.

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