Past speakers

SOS24 speakers.

State of Social ’24 explored how strategy, creativity, technology, and human insight combine to create something more powerful than their individual parts. Australian and international speakers shared perspectives on turning ideas into outcomes across digital marketing and culture.

This year explored the rare intersection where technical mastery meets imaginative thinking. ALCHEMY focused on how data, platforms, creativity, and intuition combine to create marketing that feels human, resonates deeply, and drives real outcomes.

Rather than treating strategy and creativity as opposing forces, speakers showed how the two work best together, turning skill and insight into work that truly converts.

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All past speakers

At a glance

ThemeALCHEMY
EditionSeventh
Speakers28

Tuesday 27Wednesday 28

Tuesday 27 August

9.40 to 10.20AM

Keynote

Be on social without being on social

Michael Corcoran

10.30 to 11.10AM

Keynote

Why the smartest thing we can all do is be stupid

Paula Bloodworth

11.20AM to 12PM

Keynote

How to create true alchemy between brands and gaming

James Whatley

1.10 to 1.40PM

RVR1

The criticality of meaningful connections

Joel Pember

RVR2

Culture or creativity: what comes first? Live podcast

Paula Bloodworth, Ken Leung, Richard Berney

RVR3

Anatomy of an idea

Nia Pericles

1.50 to 2.20PM

RVR1

Why transparency matters: protection and performance in social environments

Imran Masood

RVR2

From clickbait to critical thinking: media literacy for a digital future

Taleesha Elder, Larah Kennedy, Meg Coffey

RVR3

Don’t despair, small budgets can unlock big ideas!

Bec Smith

2.30 to 3.10PM

RVR1

The alchemy of experience design: turning customer insight into memorable moments to build trusted brands

Emma Hollins

RVR2

The blank phone and social media account experiment

Josh Taylor

4 to 4.40PM

Keynote

Keynote with Tom Goodwin

Tom Goodwin

4.50 to 5.30PM

Keynote

A ‘social first’ state of mind

Lia Haberman

Wednesday 28 August

9 to 10AM

RVR1

What’s old is new again: how to speak to Gen-Z through organic social media

Georgia Tappy

RVR2

Self-care, burnout and the busy mind

Julian Pace

10.15 to 11.15AM

RVR1

Managing the social media outrage economy

Larah Kennedy

RVR2

Playful is powerful

Richard Berney

RVR3

From diversity angst to brand magic: the messy business of inclusion

Tess Palmyre

11.30AM to 12.30PM

RVR1

So you want a viral video strategy? It starts with…

Lily Hoffmann

RVR2

A social media law update

David Stewart

RVR3

Universal fan engagement: lessons from fandom to power social community cultivation

Dr Georgie Carroll

1.30 to 2.30PM

RVR1

20% less traffic: how AI answers will change your search marketing strategy

Will Bal

RVR2

Give us your faking attention: the rise and faux of fake OOH

Josh Gurgiel

RVR3

The alchemy of branding

Ken Leung

2.45 to 3.45PM

RVR1

Unlock the LGBTIQA+ golden pot at the end of the rainbow

Ashara Wills

RVR2

Tales from the world of the emoji overlords

Jeremy Burge

RVR3

Teach me something and be real with me

Scotty McDonald

4.20 to 5PM

Keynote

The TikTok honeymoon is over (and that’s a good thing)

Dave Jorgenson

Be in the next one.

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