How Hilton Democratized Creativity Through AI—Breaking Down Barriers with Mark Weinstein

Jul 10, 2025

Mark Weinstein, the CMO of Hilton Hotels, dives into how AI is revolutionizing creativity in marketing. He discusses the importance of democratizing access to creative tools, making brand storytelling more inclusive. Mark shares insights from the Cannes Lions festival, highlighting strategic partnerships with celebrities like Paris Hilton. He emphasizes the challenges of maintaining authenticity in today’s fragmented cultural landscape and how adapting to technological disruptions is crucial for brand growth.

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INSIGHT

AI Democratizes Creative Access

AI and data are democratizing creativity, removing previous barriers related to resources and agency access.
This levels the playing field, allowing anyone with a great idea a chance for breakthrough success.

ANECDOTE

Hilton's Experiential Activations

Hilton offers themed experiential activations like McLaren suites and Wicked-inspired rooms to enhance the guest experience.
These activations are amplified by influencers to scale beyond just in-person guests.

INSIGHT

AI Changes Creativity and Marketing

AI enables cost reduction in production, allowing more creativity and testing of diverse ideas in the market.
Future marketing must also address AI interacting directly with AI, a concept yet to be fully understood.

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AI and creativity are 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.

What You'll Learn:

How AI is democratizing creativity and leveling the playing field for all brands
Why the future involves "agentic AI talking to agentic AI" and what that means for marketers
How to create experiential activations that scale through content amplification
The importance of maintaining share of wallet in constrained spending environments
Why being authentic in today's cultural landscape is more challenging than ever
How strategic partnerships with celebrities and brands create mutual value
The evolution of Cannes Lions and what CMOs should focus on at industry events

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