Truth, Trust, and Experience: Protecting Brand Value in the Age of Deepfakes

Heather Holst-Knudsen is a distinguished figure and expert in the events, media, marketing and technology sectors. Using her extensive experience, she guides clients in adapting to structural economic and market changes, seizing the chance to innovate and evolve. She specializes in digital and data disruption and opportunity, exploring how these overarching factors can impact revenue growth,customer-centricity, operational efficiency, profit margins, and the overall valuation of companies in both public and private markets. Her journey began at her family business, Thomas Publishing Company, where she honed her skills. She further expanded her expertise by holding positions at early industry giants Miller Freeman, Reed Elsevier, and IDG. Returning to Thomas Publishing, Heather founded and spearheaded Manufacturing Enterprise Communications, an integrated media portfolio connecting buyers and sellers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Starting in 2015 and spanning the next seven years, she leveraged her expertise as a revenue and business leader in various SaaS businesses, including Feathr, Gleanin, Brella and Edflex. Heather is deeply passionate about digital innovation, data monetization, and AI and how these strategies fuel revenue growth, profitability, and company valuation. To serve and create value for clients in these areas, she launched H2K Labs, dedicated to generating and leveraging value through data for media, business information, events, and adjacent technology and service markets.

Over three decades of leading global businesses, I have focussed on growth, innovation, and transformation across digital, marketing, events, and media.

Currently, I serve as Executive Chairman of Informa Festivals, partnering with very talented people on the development of a portfolio of global events, including Cannes Lions, Game Developers Conference, Money 20/20, Black Hat, and the Tech Week portfolio, including London Tech Week.

As CEO of Ascential, a FTSE 250 company, I spearheaded major M&A initiatives, and returned over £850 million to shareholders.

I led the development and growth of Cannes Lions and Money 20/20 from their acquisitions by Ascential, at a combined cost of £185 million, to their ultimate sale to Informa for £1.2 billion in 2024 — achieving a 55% premium and one of the highest multiples ever seen in the sector.

My board and advisory roles — including positions with the BBC, Media Trust, and Malaria No More— allow me to focus on talent, innovation, and equity within the media and marketing industries and beyond. I was recognized as an Agent of Change by Management Today for my work on gender equality. I am an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.