The Studio

In this fireside chat, Ricky Paugh, CEO of 1440 SPORTS, and Bianca Bustamante, a rising star in global motorsport, sit down to explore how the right partnerships can accelerate success—on the track and in business.

Together, they’ll discuss what it takes to build collaborations rooted in trust, shared values, and long-term vision. From the strategic alliances that fuel performance both in sport and enterprise, to the personal relationships that empower individuals to push boundaries, Ricky and Bianca will share candid insights into how meaningful partnerships can transform potential into sustained achievement.

Whether you're leading a brand, building a team, or chasing a dream, this conversation will reveal how being better together truly drives success.

This session reveals exclusive insights learned so far from HotTopics' B2B Marketing Benchmark Report (pre-launch), and the wider industry in the UK. Listen to Editor Peter Stojanovic as he reveals the major trends across leadership, performance, teams and technology within the B2B marketing function in the technology industry, and use this as inspiration for your 2026/7 actions. Interested in filling out the Report and gaining its insights first?

Complete the Report here: https://hottopics.ht/insights/benchmark-reports#benchmark

As marketing evolves, so does its leadership. With CROs, CGOs, and CXOs stepping into the spotlight, the traditional CMO role is being reimagined—or replaced. This session explores the shifting power dynamics in the C-suite and asks the big question: is the CMO still critical, or has marketing outgrown the title?

New research from Demandbase and G2 shows that 72% of B2B purchases now involve seven or more stakeholders, reflecting how complex and competitive the buying process has become. As information overload makes it harder to capture and convert attention, and board-level pressure to prove ROI intensifies, GTM teams are being squeezed from both sides—by buyers who expect clarity and speed, and by leaders demanding measurable, defensible impact. The result is misalignment, data disconnects, and fractured measurement that weaken even the strongest programs.

In this panel, leaders from Demandbase, G2, and top-performing GTM teams explore what it takes to win the modern buyer—discussing how to improve lead quality, align sales and marketing around shared insights, and fix the operational gaps that make it harder to show impact when every deal is under the microscope.

In partnership with Demandbase

"In a world of economic stagnation and market consolidation, CMOs find themselves once more having to earn their seat at the top table. Proving their value, however, is becoming distinctly more challenging.

Longer sales cycles, multiple decision-makers and influencers, tangible and intangible metrics of success, and a more demanding C-suite mean that marketing teams are laser focused on proving ROI - and driving business outcomes.

During this panel at The Studio BAFTA, we discuss heightened marketing pressures, how to balance short and long-term goals, AI as a campaign accelerator, and ROI measurement.

For too long, MQLs have been the holy grail of marketing. But they don’t pay the bills—revenue does. This session challenges marketers to ditch vanity metrics and adopt a pipeline-first mindset that speaks the language of the C-suite.

In a world where nothing matters more than the customer, the lines of ownership are still blurry. Is it the CIO, driving tech innovation? The CPO developing best in class offerings and driving product strategy? Or the CMO, steering engagement and brand? Or is that split just outdated thinking?

This session cuts through the noise to explore why true CX success demands c-suite collaboration — and asks the tough question: when the journey fails, who takes the fall?

This collaborative session will deep dive into some of the key findings from our recent benchmark report. Join your peers to debate and discuss what is at the forefront of their agenda, and what has been keeping them awake at night.

The debate topics:

• Is marketing fraud a real risk to the bottom line?
• AI in marketing: does It really suck — or do we?
• Should ABM be your primary go-to-market strategy in 2026?
• Driving Demand Through Brand & Community Based Marketing – Confidence in the dark funnel.
• ABM Reloaded: Redefining Account-Based Strategies in the Age of AI
• The buyer’s mind to the boardroom’s ear: Insight, influence and impact for CMOs 
• Buying Groups: Marketing to Many, Influencing One? 
• Beyond the Handoff: Making Marketing Sales' Secret Weapon