Creative Summit 2025

10-10-2025 10:00 AM - 10-10-2025 2:30 PM

On Friday, October 10, 2025, over 100 creatives gathered at Team One USA for the ThinkLA Creative Summit, an inspiring event designed for creatives at all levels—whether full-time, freelance, or in-between. The summit brought together industry leaders to share the latest practical tips, trends, and technologies required to bring creative ideas to life for clients in today's evolving advertising landscape.

The day began with a thought-provoking keynote from Gil Rief, an acclaimed TV writer, keynote speaker, and creative consultant, who set the tone for a day of exploration into the next chapter of advertising.

The first panel discussion, "The Next Chapter of Advertising," was moderated by Thomas Ma, Co-Founder of Sapphire Studios, and featured an exceptional lineup of creative leaders including Ellenor Argyropoulos, Co-Founder of Mermaid Toast; Shireen Jiwan, EVP and Global Chief Strategy Officer at BBDO Worldwide; Jason Zada, Founder of Secret Level; and Brendan Robertson, Chief Strategy Officer at David&Goliath. The panelists explored how the advertising industry is transforming and what it takes to stay ahead in an increasingly complex creative environment.

The second panel, "The Power of Authentic Narratives," moderated by William Esparza, CEO and Founder of Hyphenated, brought together Mina Park, CEO and Co-Founder of Crispy Chicken; Susan Lee Colby, Founder and CEO of Grace Creative; and Jason Campbell, Chief Creative Officer. Their conversation delved into the importance of authentic storytelling and how brands can connect with audiences through genuine, meaningful narratives.

The summit concluded with a panel on "The Next Generation of Creatives," moderated by Kelsey Hodgkin, CEO and Partner at Special US. Panelists Kirsten Rutherford, Executive Creative Director at TBWA\Chiat\Day; Kate Wolff, Founder and CEO of Lupine Creative; and Braden Blacker, Global Head of Content, Talent, and Growth at Galactic Markets, discussed the skills, mindsets, and opportunities shaping the future of creative professionals in the industry.

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to OUTFRONT for hosting our panel discussions and creating an engaging environment for conversation and learning. Special thanks to Adobe, Cut+Run, and Union for their invaluable sponsorship, which helped make this summit a reality. We also appreciate Community Films for sponsoring the espresso cart, keeping our creative community energized throughout the day. Your partnership and commitment to supporting the creative community are deeply valued, and we look forward to continuing to work together to inspire and elevate the next generation of creative talent.

Photo Albumn