As a seasoned marketing leader both in and advising the C-suite across brand strategy, advertising, and purpose-driven initiatives, SETH MATLINS understands the disconnect between marketing’s true value and how it’s perceived. He unpacks why marketing has a marketing problem—often undervalued, misrepresented, or sidelined—and what must change to position it as a critical business driver. Drawing on his expertise in brand storytelling, consumer engagement, and cultural strategy, Matlins provides actionable insights for marketers and business leaders to illuminate the impact of marketing as the heart of business success.

With years of experience leading consumer-first marketing strategies, SETH MATLINS has seen firsthand how the explosion of data has transformed—and sometimes hindered—the marketing industry. In this talk, he addresses the growing paradox: while data enables precision, over-reliance on analytics can dilute creativity, intuition, and human connection. Tapping into his unparalleled expertise, Matlins offers an expert perspective on how marketers can use data as a tool without losing sight of storytelling, authenticity, and the emotional triggers that drive real consumer engagement.

Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network SETH MATLINS has built a career helping brands navigate the intersection of commerce, culture, and human behavior. In this talk, he explores why marketing must go beyond traditional segmentation and performance metrics to truly connect with people in their real-world, ever-evolving contexts. Drawing on his expertise in purpose-driven marketing and cultural strategy, Matlins shares how brands can create meaningful, relevant campaigns that resonate not just with target audiences but with the broader cultural moment—ensuring impact, loyalty, and long-term success.

With extensive experience across branding, media, and consumer engagement both in and advising the C-suite of some of the world’s biggest global brands, SETH MATLINS has seen how marketing touches every facet of business—whether companies recognize it or not. In this talk, he makes the case that marketing isn’t just an isolated function but a core business driver embedded in product development, corporate values, customer experience, and beyond. Leveraging his expertise in brand positioning and storytelling, Matlins shows how businesses that embrace this holistic view of marketing can differentiate themselves, foster consumer trust, and drive lasting success.

SETH MATLINS's other speech topics include: 

• Creativity In Service of What
• Everything Connects But Not Everything is Connected
• The Purpose of Purpose is Profit
• What CEOs (and the rest of the C-Suite) Don’t Know—And Need To
• Marketing Has Lost The Thread