Truth, Trust, and Experience: Protecting Brand Value in the Age of Deepfakes with Philip Thomas

In this episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Philip Thomas, Chief Creative Officer at Informa PLC and Chairman of Cannes Lions, to unpack why creativity, experience, and human connection have become some of the most powerful revenue levers in today’s data- and AI-driven economy.

From the transformation of Cannes Lions into a global brand ecosystem, to why public markets consistently undervalue event businesses, Philip shares a candid, operator-level view of what actually drives long-term enterprise value in B2B media and events.

This conversation explores how innovation must be paired with process, why not every business should chase a 365 model, and how AI will ultimately increase, not replace, the value of in-person connection.

Why Listen

This episode is essential for leaders who are:

• Rethinking creativity, experience, and brand as core revenue drivers
• Navigating the shift from transactional events to experience-led ecosystems
• Managing complex global portfolios across media, events, and communities
• Balancing innovation, process, and scalability in growth strategies
• Evaluating when 365 engagement models make sense — and when they don’t
• Understanding AI’s role in trust, authenticity, and human connection

If you’re a CEO, CMO, CRO, or revenue-critical executive building for 2025 and beyond, Philip’s insights offer clarity, perspective, and a grounded framework for creating long-term enterprise value.

CONNECT WITH PHILIP THOMAS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-thomas-127a541/

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.