As GenAI generated content floods our feeds, brands are taking a step back to reassess what truly engages audiences. What wins trust? What is effective rather than just efficient? And who do people want to hear from?

Sought after international keynote speaker Robin O’Connell is here to share what works for the most successful brands on LinkedIn. He’ll explore how B2B marketers can make the shift from informational content to emotionally resonant storytelling and how you get your cast of employees, leaders and creators into brand videos and turn workplace culture into creative currency?

Learn how to build your brand presence on social with real-life examples from B2B brands.

+ Panellist on AI in B2B Marketing 2026 - From Tools to Teammates Panel

About Robin

Robin O’Connell is a sought-after keynote speaker and content marketing consultant who has worked with clients across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and APAC markets.

Currently based in Australia, Robin has collaborated with some of the world’s largest brands on their marketing and branding strategies.

With a particular specialty in B2B and employer branding, Robin is currently the head of LinkedIn’s content solutions consultancy team in ANZ. Robin and his team help companies create better, bolder content strategies that connect professionals to brands across APAC.

Learn more about Robin on LinkedIn.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Quantrill is a senior marketer with over 20 years’ experience working for some of the most respected and well-loved brands in New Zealand and overseas. She started her own business, Cue Marketing Partners in 2024, specialising as a fractional CMO.

She’s currently the Marketing Director at Hell Pizza , helping deliver a new brand platform  “Worth Going to Hell for” and redefining the channel strategy to deliver effective marketing in the highly competitive world of QSR.

She’s passionate about long term brand building and loves talking marketing and advertising with anyone who will listen.

About Canned the Marketing Podcast

Ben van Rooy and Stephanie Quantrill break down what's actually happening in marketing, from creative and content to digital, CX, and data.

We've done the work. Built campaigns, managed budgets, wrestled with stakeholders. Now we're unpacking it: what moves the needle, what's worth your time, and what's just noise.

Whether you're in B2B, B2C, or somewhere in between, we're talking about the stuff that matters when you're trying to build brands that perform.

No jargon. No guru shit. Just real talk from people who've been in the trenches.

Made in Aotearoa. For marketers everywhere.

In 2026, AI isn’t a sidekick, it’s embedded across the B2B buyer journey. This practical, future-facing panel unpacks what’s actually changing for B2B marketers as AI becomes an always-on copilot and agent across GTM stacks.

Drawing on real-world use cases - from AI-powered buying committee insights and hyper-personalised ABM to agent-led search, sales enablement and automation - this session will show where AI is delivering impact today, where teams are struggling to adapt workflows, and how to build trust, differentiation and discoverability in an AI-mediated world.

Key takeaways for the audience:

• Practical ways to be discovered and trusted in AI-driven search and research
• Real examples of agentic AI improving ABM, content, and GTM execution
• How to organise tools, workflows and “teams of agents” without chaos
• What to prioritise next to shift marketers from execution to strategy

About David

David Visser is an experienced eCommerce leader with over 14 years in key account management, digital strategy, and tech leadership. As CEO of Zyber, a Shopify Plus & Klaviyo Master Platinum Agency, he drives strategy, sales, and production, delivering data-driven solutions to help online retailers scale. A seasoned public speaker, he has presented at 150+ industry events and serves on the Partner Advisory Boards for Klaviyo, Rebuy, and Okendo. He is also a Klaviyo Community Champion. Outside of work, David enjoys exploring New Zealand’s outdoors and group fitness classes.

In 2026, AI isn’t a sidekick, it’s embedded across the B2B buyer journey. This practical, future-facing panel unpacks what’s actually changing for B2B marketers as AI becomes an always-on copilot and agent across GTM stacks.

Drawing on real-world use cases - from AI-powered buying committee insights and hyper-personalised ABM to agent-led search, sales enablement and automation - this session will show where AI is delivering impact today, where teams are struggling to adapt workflows, and how to build trust, differentiation and discoverability in an AI-mediated world.

Key takeaways for the audience:

• Practical ways to be discovered and trusted in AI-driven search and research
• Real examples of agentic AI improving ABM, content, and GTM execution
• How to organise tools, workflows and “teams of agents” without chaos
• What to prioritise next to shift marketers from execution to strategy

About Sophie

Sophie is a senior marketing leader with over 17 years of experience across the full spectrum of the marketing lifecycle. Throughout her career, Sophie has excelled in senior leadership roles at prestigious blue-chip companies, overseeing global teams and driving transformative marketing strategies on an international scale. Currently Sophie is the Global Head of Digital Marketing and Content for ABB’s Electrification Service division, a $100 billion USD technology company based in over 100 countries, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

A seasoned expert in building and leading high-performing marketing teams, Sophie has consistently established and optimized key marketing functions. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching initiatives that have resulted in substantial commercial success. With a deep well of expertise and a strategic vision, Sophie adeptly harnesses marketing insights to fuel business growth, elevate brand presence, and drive innovation.

About Fiona

Fiona Cresswell is a seasoned B2B technical marketing leader with 25 years of experience in global medical device manufacturing at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. She has successfully led teams of Clinical, Marketing and Operational professionals through numerous international product launches and transformation projects driving the growth of the organisation’s sleep apnea business to a turnover of more than NZ$350 million.

In recent years, Fi’s focus has been on improving the efficiency and collaboration of marketing business-wide, and leading a digital transformation of marketing systems, processes and practices to enable scalability and innovation.

About Ben

Ben van Rooy has been solving growth problems for 20 years, working with brands like American Express, Commonwealth Bank, and Deloitte in New York, London, Sydney, and Auckland. Now, as CEO of Human Digital, he helps marketers build brands that not only look good, but also deliver leads that convert.

He co-hosts Canned the Marketing Podcast, breaking down what actually works in marketing and what's just noise.

About Canned the Marketing Podcast

Ben van Rooy and Stephanie Quantrill break down what's actually happening in marketing, from creative and content to digital, CX, and data.

We've done the work. Built campaigns, managed budgets, wrestled with stakeholders. Now we're unpacking it: what moves the needle, what's worth your time, and what's just noise.

Whether you're in B2B, B2C, or somewhere in between, we're talking about the stuff that matters when you're trying to build brands that perform.

No jargon. No guru shit. Just real talk from people who've been in the trenches.

Made in Aotearoa. For marketers everywhere.