Join We Are Social for Launch of Think Forward 2026: Building Brands at the Speed of Social

Join We Are Social in its London office for the exclusive launch of Think Forward 2026: Building Brands at the Speed of Social. On Thursday 22nd January, from 8:30am, We Are Social will reveal the strategy for building cultural gravity in today’s social landscape and the essential blueprint for brands to not just survive on social, but to truly thrive on it.

Social has grown up, and with it, marketers’ needs have shifted.

Social trends are emerging and moving faster than ever before, making it nearly impossible to talk about them in a broad and annualised way. This year, We Are Social’s Think Forward Report will move from purely trend-led thinking to a problem-solving showcase built for marketers’ real challenges and filled with practical solutions.

Get answers on:

• How to build a brand in a socially relevant and culturally fluent way?
• How are fandom dynamics evolving – and how should brands tap into them next year?
• What will content and creativity look like in the age of pervasive AI?
• What will social fame look like in the next 12 months, and how can brands achieve?
• How can brands choose where to focus (and when to go all in)?

Meet the panel

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Ana Saffer

Marketing Manager - Social

McDonald's UK & Ireland

With over 16 years of experience, both brand and agency side, Ana brings a unique perspective on what social audiences crave and how brands can appeal to them. As marketing manager - social at McDonald's, Ana has worked on huge campaigns, including the Big Arch Burger launch, the World Menu Heist activation, and its latest Secret Menu campaign.

Matt Stone

Senior Director, Creative, Design & Experience, International Family Care & Professional

Kimberly-Clark

With over 14 years at Kimberly-Clark, Matt has overseen a global portfolio of brands including Andrex, Huggies, Kleenex, and more. Having worked across such a wide range of sectors, Matt has a knack for finding genuine ways to connect with all kinds of audiences. Whether he’s tackling social taboos with Andrex’s Get Comfortable campaign or being recognised in Campaign’s Power 100, Matt’s work is a constant reminder that when brands show up authentically, they see real results.

Paul Greenwood

Global Head of Research & Insight

We Are Social

Joining the panel is Paul Greenwood, global head of research and insight. Paul is a leading industry expert who specialises in tracking social trends and cultural shifts. As a key author of the Think Forward report, Paul will share exclusive details on how the report was developed and provide practical advice on how you can apply these cultural insights to strengthen your brand.

Mobbie Nazir

Global Chief Strategy and Growth Officer

We Are Social

Moderating the panel is global chief strategy and growth officer, Mobbie Nazir. A recognised industry leader and innovator, Mobbie’s accolades include being named one of The Dots’ Top Female Leaders Redefining the Creative Industry and a Holmes Report Top Industry Innovator in Europe. Mobbie has developed award-winning strategies for global brands such as Google, Amazon, Netflix, and Unilever. As the primary author of Think Forward, she will lead the discussion with guests, providing exclusive commentary and deep-dive insights into the report’s findings.

Don’t miss out! Sign up now to join We Are Social in their London office for the launch of Think Forward 2026: Building Brands at the Speed of Social. And sign up here to receive the report on Thursday 22nd January.