As entertainment, technology, and brand storytelling converge, the creative landscape is being reshaped in real time. This one-hour session in partnership with The 4As explores two defining shifts shaping the future of storytelling: the rise of multidisciplinary creators working across culture and commerce, and the evolving role of AI — examining what remains distinctly human in an era of rapid change.
The New Creative Class: Where Film, Music, and Brand Storytelling Collide
The boundaries between advertising, entertainment, and culture have collapsed. Today's most compelling creative voices move fluidly between platforms, formats, and industries — building careers that defy traditional categories. This conversation brings together a filmmaker premiering at Tribeca, a media creator who went from internet comedy to Showtime to rebuilding independently on his own terms, and a brand strategist shaping how the world's biggest companies connect with culture, to explore what it means to build a career at the intersection of everything.
Sheldon Candis
Director, They Fight (Tribeca 2026 Premiere)
Candis is a Baltimore native and USC School of Cinematic Arts grad whose feature debut LUV premiered at Sundance. His credits include Colin in Black & White for Netflix and Ava DuVernay, NBA 2K20's When the Lights Are Brightest executive produced by LeBron James, documentary Baltimore Boys for ESPN Films, and feature film They Fight, starring André Holland and Wendell Pierce
Desus Nice
Creator, Host, and Executive Producer, Desus Pieces
Desus Nice is a comedian from the Bronx who made his start on Twitter. He is the host of Desus Pieces, a new comedy and cultural commentary show. He previously co-hosted Showtime's WGA award-winning late-night talk show DESUS & MERO for four seasons covering the week's hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics, and more. He also co-wrote the New York Times bestselling life advice book God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons from the Bronx, which was released by Random House in September 2020. Elsewhere in television, Desus has lent his voice to Disney+'s THE PROUD FAMILY: LOUDER AND PROUDER, Comedy Central's CRANK YANKERS, ABC's BLACK-ISH, Netflix's NEO YOKIO, Adult Swim's THE SHIVERING TRUTH, and Disney's STAR VS. THE FORCES OF EVIL. Desus currently resides in New York.
Bukky Ojeifo
Global Brand Strategist and Cultural Marketing Leader, Ogilvy
Bukky Ojeifo is a global brand strategist and cultural innovation leader shaping how brands connect with people through the power of culture. As Global Director of Brand Innovation & Strategy at Ogilvy and former Global Head of Culture & Community at Twitter, she has influenced some of the world's most iconic brands. She is also the founder of The Adfrican Women's Collective, a newly formed global network of women in advertising, marketing and business dedicated to continued progress of Africa's creative economy and elevating African talent, innovation, and influence on the world stage.
Justin Thomas-Copeland
Moderator (CEO, The 4As)
Thomas-Copeland is CEO of the 4As, leading efforts to advocate for and modernize the agency ecosystem. With 30+ years of global leadership, he has served as CEO of RAPP, OPMG Health, and DDB North America, and as CDO of Novartis, leading engagements for Microsoft, Adidas, Virgin Atlantic, and the U.S. Army. Founder of KINDRD Global, he mentors global brand leaders and advocates for inclusive talent pipelines in collaboration with the T. Howard Foundation. Babson College Executive MBA.
David Jones
Founder & CEO, The BrandTech Group
David Jones is the Founder and CEO of The Brandtech Group, which is today the world's #1 generative AI marketing group. It is the largest AI and digital content partner for many of the world's biggest brands and works with 8 of the world's top 10 largest advertisers and 60 of the top 100. He is also the Founder and Chair of One Young World, the world's largest platform for young leaders driving change.
Dani Jackson
Founder, the Cre8tors
Dani Jackson-Smith is Founder of The Cre8tors, a creative talent and production management company. Over a career spanning Edelman, Havas, and Leo Burnett, she has led work for brands including Starbucks, Nintendo, Samsung, and Kellogg's. Today, she helps brands, agencies, and creators build culturally relevant partnerships and productions.
Chaka Sobhani
Global Chief Creative Officer of TBWA
Chaka Sobhani is the Global Chief Creative Officer of TBWA and formerly DDB Worldwide, where she led the network to Cannes Network of the Year in 2025. An award-winning filmmaker turned advertising leader, she began her career in television before setting up ITV's first in-house creative agency and holding creative leadership roles at Mother and Leo Burnett. Named one of Campaign UK's Top 10 Creative Leaders for five years running, she serves on the boards of D&AD, The One Club, and the Design Museum.
Justin Thomas-Copeland
Moderator (CEO, The 4As)
Thomas-Copeland is CEO of the 4As, leading efforts to advocate for and modernize the agency ecosystem. With 30+ years of global leadership, he has served as CEO of RAPP, OPMG Health, and DDB North America, and as CDO of Novartis, leading engagements for Microsoft, Adidas, Virgin Atlantic, and the U.S. Army. Founder of KINDRD Global, he mentors global brand leaders and advocates for inclusive talent pipelines in collaboration with the T. Howard Foundation. Babson College Executive MBA.
Human Creativity in the Age of AI Entertainment
AI is transforming how content is created, distributed, and discovered. But what does that mean for human creativity? This conversation brings together voices from advertising, entertainment, and technology to explore how AI is reshaping storytelling and production while increasing the value of distinctly human ideas, emotional intelligence, and creative instinct.
