The Storytelling Shift: Disability Representation in Content Creation

Over 20% of Australians have some form of disability, but are represented on our screens at a rate of less than 2%. The Shift 20 Initiative, and partners like Tourism Australia, are here to change that - through increasing representation and inclusion of people with disability in advertising and marketing campaigns. Join us for a discussion on the importance of disability representation, how disabled creators can navigate brand partnerships, how we should all be challenging brands to be more inclusive in their marketing, and examples of successful campaigns in this space.

Speakers:

🎙️Priya Addams Williams, Shift 20 Initiative Lead, Dylan Alcott Foundation
🎙️Zoe O’Sullivan, Global Advocacy Manager, Tourism Australia
🎙️Christine Balaguer, Deaf Beauty Queen, Model and Creator Economy

From Donut Shop to The Donut Daddy

A journey from entrepreneur to cult status, fuelled by creativity, courage
and a lot of dough.

Speaker:

🎙️ Anthony Randello-Jahn - Donut Daddy (@thedonutdaddy)
Founder & Creator of Donut Daddy, Founder of Levain Doughnuts & Jamm’d Dessert Barns

 The Creator Economy, Decided

Two leading voices from the creator economy, Ant McCormack and Jim Louderback, cut through speculation to call what’s next: what’s locked in, what won’t happen, and what only works if a few non-negotiables line up.

No trend-chasing. No hedging. Just sharp calls, lived perspective, and a clear view of where the creator economy is heading.

Built for creators and marketers who need to make smarter bets and stop wasting time on narratives that won’t survive contact with reality.

Speakers:

🎙️ Ant McCormack - Founder, Changer Studios
🎙️ Jim Louderback - CEO Ins

YouTube Killed the TV Star, Not Quite...

Television once set the rhythm for viewers and brands alike, but in a new era of on-demand viewing, primetime routines have given way to personality-driven media like YouTube. This conversation explores what it means to make entertainment in 2026 and why the traditional titans may be better placed to thrive by collaborating rather than competing with today’s data-driven storytellers. Speakers:

🎙️ Jayden James - Creative Lead at Spawnpoint Media
🎙️ Dan Fahy - Independant Consultant

Flipping the Script

Everyone loves a peek behind the scenes. Influence @ WPP Media is bringing the BTS of big media, entertainment and creators to centre stage. This session will turn the Hollywood tradition of table reads into a live creator pitch. Creators will go head-to-head pitching their content ideas in front of brand judges and AiMCO’s live audience with the potential to launch a real partnership and find a brand to back it!

Speakers:

🎙️Trent Peppercorn, Managing Partner, WPP Beauty Tech Lab
🎙️Joey Woodley, Creator
🎙️Harry Garside, Creator and Olympic Medallist
🎙️Plus, a panel of industry judges.

CREATOR KEYNOTE: How Partnerships Really Work

This podcast covers what creators wish brands understood, the pricing questions every creator should ask, and what the industry needs to let go of.

Speakers:

🎙️Ryan Jon
🎙️Matty Fahd
🎙️Steph De Sousa