AI-powered creativity is reshaping brand marketing, democratizing access to tools while challenging CMOs to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
In this special Cannes edition of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Mark Weinstein, CMO of Hilton Hotels, to explore the intersection of technology, experience, and authentic brand storytelling.
From leveraging AI to democratize creativity to partnering with Paris Hilton and McLaren Racing, discover how to build meaningful experiences that resonate in an uncertain world.
Whether you’re navigating budget constraints, technological disruption, or cultural pitfalls, this conversation offers essential insights on staying relevant while maintaining authenticity.
Mark Weinstein has spent 15 years helping transform Hilton into a modern hospitality and experience leader. He took over the CMO role during the pandemic, when the company had essentially zero revenue, leading the marketing strategy that fueled Hilton’s recovery and growth.
Before joining Hilton, Weinstein studied marketing and finance at the University of Maryland and worked in consulting at PwC. He joined Hilton when it was taken private by Blackstone, helping establish the central marketing department as the company expanded from 10 to 24 brands.
Episode highlights:
[00:23] The Democratization of Creative — “What’s really encouraging to me is the democratization of creativity. If you look at data and AI, there used to be so many barriers for brands, for great people out there with great creative ideas that were limited by the agency they could afford, the resources available to them, the creatives on their team. We’re leveling the playing field to the point where anybody with a great idea has a chance to have a breakthrough.”
[02:45] Why Cannes Predicts the Future — His perspective on the festival’s evolution: “What’s interesting about Cannes is that you actually have the folks that are making the trends here. And so it’s not about prognosticating. It’s not about predicting. It’s actually about the folks that are putting their hands on the keyboards to code the things, the artists that are creating, the investors that are putting the money behind it.”
