It was a whirlwind at ANA Masters of Marketing in Scottsdale, AZ. The content was incredibly engaging with amazing speakers from Bolthouse Farms, Facebook, Starcom, and Visa. Check out some of the top marketing insights that I came away with. Audience YOU.0: Letting People Define Themselves , Mark Pavia, EVP/Digital Managing Director, Starcom USA Mark reminded us to step back and think in more human terms.

Who knew baby carrots were so cool? I didn't until watching Bryan Reese's session at ANA Masters of Marketing. Reese, Bolthouse Farm's Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, took us on a carrot journey, where carrot farmers came together to transform the carrot from a veggie to a go-to munchie. Here's what he shared: The Problem: Consumers were telling Bolthouse Farms they love carrots. But it didn't match the numbers.

Who knew baby carrots were so cool? I didn't until watching Bryan Reese's session at ANA Masters of Marketing. Reese, Bolthouse Farm's Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, took us on a carrot journey, where carrot farmers came together to transform the carrot from a veggie to a go-to munchie. Here's what he shared: The Problem: Consumers were telling Bolthouse Farms they love carrots. But it didn't match the numbers.

One of our favorite industry reporters, Fast Companys Danielle Sacks went one-on-one with Publicis Groupe Chairman & CEO, Maurice Levy, about risk-taking, the industrys move to digital marketing, and his big bets. Heres what he had to share. How Levy Approaches Risk He said, risks are inherent in everything we do and that risk is forced by the acceleration of our business. Whats new is the fact that we are in a world of uncertainty.

One of our favorite industry reporters, Fast Companys Danielle Sacks went one-on-one with Publicis Groupe Chairman & CEO, Maurice Levy, about risk-taking, the industrys move to digital marketing, and his big bets. Heres what he had to share. How Levy Approaches Risk He said, risks are inherent in everything we do and that risk is forced by the acceleration of our business. Whats new is the fact that we are in a world of uncertainty.

Bill Buxton captivated the audience immediately by introducing ubiquitous computing, explaining that computers are everywhere you need them or want them, you just dont notice it. An example he gave is the computing of anti-lock brakes, you dont think about them until you slam on your breaks to avoid an accident. There are computing components that make those breaks work. His point was, you can do the same thing with advertising.

Advertising Week 2011 started strong today with a panel of top CEOs and COOs from the industry moderated by Felix Gillette, writer for Bloomberg Businessweek. Im not the biggest fan of panels but this one was well worth it. The highlights are captured below. Tweet @MSAdvertising what tips from these leaders you find the most helpful. On the role of agencies and staying one step ahead: Don Coleman, President and CEO at Global Hue,

Advertising Week 2011 started strong today with a panel of top CEOs and COOs from the industry moderated by Felix Gillette, writer for Bloomberg Businessweek. Im not the biggest fan of panels but this one was well worth it. The highlights are captured below. Tweet @MSAdvertising what tips from these leaders you find the most helpful. On the role of agencies and staying one step ahead: Don Coleman, President and CEO at Global Hue,

The storytelling at MIXX continues with one of the most griping storytellers at Microsoft, Jaron Lanier, Partner Architect for the Microsoft eXtreme computing group. Jaron took the audience on an avatar journey that started 30 years ago and lives on today through technology like the Kinect. He explained how the concept of an avatar originated and why they are so important. Instead of thinking about what gadgets are out there, we need to look at biology, at our brains.

As Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO of IAB, kicked off the conference, he reminded all 700+ attendees in the room that When technology does its thing, the only thing left is storytelling. The story is the story. Jonathan Mildenhall, Vice President, Global Advertising Strategy and Content Excellence at The Coca-Cola Company, confirmed it with the companys new marketing platform thinking, Liquid and Linked. Knowing the company had to get ahead with storytelling,

We all know that technology is driving change. Weve seen it happen over the last ten years. Mark Holden, Global Strategy and Planning Director from PHD, shared some particularly interesting insight into what technology may look like in 2016. At Cannes, he asserted that the change in the next five years alone will be more than the last 10 years combined. Technology in 2016 - Here are a few advancements in technology that peaked my interest.

Jim Farley, Group Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Service at Ford, has partnered with WPP to bring their brand story to life with consumers by doing three things giving up, letting go, and loving it. Give Up: Give your brand to your customers. You might as well because they are already doing it. You can still be responsible for and even manage your brand but now, the customers own it. Let Go: Let go of the creative process. You need to trust the agency.

Jim Farley, Group Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Service at Ford, has partnered with WPP to bring their brand story to life with consumers by doing three things giving up, letting go, and loving it. Give Up: Give your brand to your customers. You might as well because they are already doing it. You can still be responsible for and even manage your brand but now, the customers own it. Let Go: Let go of the creative process. You need to trust the agency.

I had the chance to chat with Danielle Sacks, Senior Writer for Fast Company, while at Cannes Lions . Danielle shares her experience covering the advertising beat and reporting on some of the most provocative business leaders of this century, including Alex Bogusky. Catch all of Danielles insights in this short clip. Be sure to check out the rest of our coverage of Cannes Lions 2011 . Best, Kaila Lightner,

At Microsoft Advertising, were here to ignite creativity , ground it in context , and deliver it seamlessly through connected experiences . We take every bit and byte of it and send it on a direct digital journey, with extensive reach, precision, targeting, never compromising imagination and spark. Thats creativity and that is exactly what Stephen Kim, GM of Global Creative Solutions, shared with our partners at our Business Conference in Cannes .

Stephen Kim, GM for Global Creative Solutions, and I spent some time on the pier at the Microsoft Advertising Beach Club talking about his team and their efforts here at Cannes. Not only are they driving revolutionary technology and creativity advancements in advertising, but they are also leading our workshop on Wednesday, The Things People Say, at 15:30-17:30 in the Palais des Festivals, Level -1. Watch the video to hear from Stephen himself.

Susanna Kempe, CEO at WGSN, shared consumer insights for 2012 and 2013 at Cannes Lions 2011 . Interestingly enough, key themes that jump out are beauty, simplicity, and technology. Kempe said consumers are looking for five things from us in 2012: A new state of wonder. Ralph Lauren launched a campaign that showcased the ultimate collision of fashion, art, and technology in a 4D process known as architectural mapping.

Recently, a fundamental shift and rebalance in the global economy has taken place bringing new opportunities for brands and different ways of working )new models and new working styles( to life. India has the fastest growing ad spend predicted in CY11-12 at 18.5%, China following with 12.5%, and Brazil and Russia just behind them with 11% )source: WARC International ad spend forecast March 11( . But what does this mean for advertisers? What is the significance?

Recently, a fundamental shift and rebalance in the global economy has taken place bringing new opportunities for brands and different ways of working )new models and new working styles( to life. India has the fastest growing ad spend predicted in CY11-12 at 18.5%, China following with 12.5%, and Brazil and Russia just behind them with 11% )source: WARC International ad spend forecast March 11( . But what does this mean for advertisers? What is the significance?

Mimi Ito, author and professor , shared her insights on teen social trends with attendees at Imagine. Mimi showed us there are two types of social interaction: interest-driven and friendship-driven. There is a clear fault-line between these two types of social participation. Interest-driven participation is less common. It isnt about popularity and more about researching and learning about interests and hobbies.