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The Revenue Room™, by H2K Labs
Welcome to The Revenue Room™, brought to you by H2K Labs. Our podcast is designed for CEOs and their revenue-critical executive teams leading media, events, data/info, and marketplace businesses. We focus on boosting revenue, enhancing profitability, and elevating enterprise value. Each episode delves into cutting-edge data-driven strategies to accelerate revenue, manage risks, and establish scalable, predictable processes. We also discuss elevating revenue to the core of operational excellence, empowering you to consistently outperform your competitors.
The Revenue Room™, by H2K Labs
Truth, Trust, and Experience: Protecting Brand Value in the Age of Deepfakes with Philip Thomas
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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.
[00:00–02:00] Why This Conversation Matters
Heather sets the stage around how creativity, experience, and brand are now revenue-critical assets in a data- and AI-driven economy.
[02:00–06:00] Philip Thomas’ Career Shift
Philip shares his move from media into B2B events, recognizing early that human connection increases in value as digital scales.
[06:00–10:00] Cannes Lions as a Growth Engine
Cannes Lions evolved from a niche awards show into a global platform by treating the event as a brand, ecosystem, and year-round value creator.
[10:00–16:00] Creativity at the Executive Level
Informa created a Chief Creative Officer role to ensure experience, creativity, and commercial outcomes are aligned, not siloed.
[16:00–24:00] Scale, Acquisitions, and Integration
Global scale accelerates growth, but integration only works when organizations share mission, culture, and long-term vision.
[24:00–32:00] AI, Trust, and Industry Risk
AI raises both opportunity and risk. Trust, authenticity, and governance will separate leaders from laggards.
[32:00–40:00] Events Are Undervalued Assets
Events deliver predictable revenue, retention, and IP, yet remain undervalued by public markets.
[40:00–47:00] Final Takeaway
Growth happens when creativity is operationalized, measured, and directly tied to revenue strategy.
