JAIKU Storytelling Summit 2026: Can stories save us?

A gathering of founders, marketers, creative leaders, and changemakers, exploring how stories shape culture, build trust, and drive lasting impact. The JAIKU Storytelling Summit brings together unexpected perspectives rarely found in the same room. CMOs learning from filmmakers, game designers in conversation with urban designers, tech founders learning from historians. In a world more fragmented than ever, this summit asks one urgent question: "Can stories save us?" No panel fatigue. We're keeping it tight, focusing on depth over scale, with 60 people who are serious about storytelling. This summit is for you if: Your brand is producing content, but not being remembered or chosen You're struggling to differentiate in a crowded market You want fresh thinking from outside your industry bubble Founders and CEOs. Marketing directors and CMOs. B Corps and purpose-led organisations. Creative directors, strategists, and cultural thinkers. On the day Your ticket includes a complimentary breakfast spread, tea, and coffee, plus a goodie bag to take away. Stick around after the talks for West African doughnuts from Puff Puff Ministry and an hour of co-working in Second Home Spitalfields. Agenda ☕ 9:00 – 9:30 Arrival, breakfast and coffee Settle in, connect, and ease into the room 🎤 9:30 – 9:40 Welcome by Marianne Olaleye, Founder, JAIKU 🎙 9:40 – 10:00 Opening Talk: Get Your Story Straight A behind-the-scenes look at how great creative work actually gets made, and how to find the story before you try to tell it (or brief it). Speaker: Gael Piñeiro Beiras, Creative and Editorial Director (formerly Adobe and TikTok) 🎙 10:00 – 10:40 Panel 1: From Griots to Influencers How stories travel across generations, and what brands miss when they only chase younger audiences Speakers: Abi Gyimah, Award-Winning Creator Community Builder Pete Bamforth, Head of Creative Strategy (Influencer) at PMG, formerly Digital Voices Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Co-Founder and Publishing Director, Cassava Republic Press Moderated by Marianne Olaleye, Founder, JAIKU ☕ 10:40 – 10:50 Break 🎙 10:50 – 11:30 Panel 2: Building New Worlds How game designers and urban designers create stories you can live in, and what marketers can learn about immersive brand experiences. Speakers: Danny Gray, Chief Creative Officer and Game Director, ustwo games George Wade, Principal Transit Architecture & Placemaking Lead, Arcadis Moderated by Maryline Esteves, Strategist, Placemaker, and Destination Marketer, Cura 🎤 11:30 – 11:35 Closing reflections by Marianne Olaleye 🤝 11:35 – 12:35 Networking + co-working Continue the conversations, meet your future collaborators, or catch up on emails. West African doughnuts from Puff Puff Ministry will be served. Partners The JAIKU Storytelling Summit is supported by Creative Boom, For Starters, Junkies, COG and Mei Mei Goods. In the press "Just make it exist first. The rest will fall into place." Read the full feature on Creative Boom. Good to know This event will be photographed and filmed Breakfast includes vegan and gluten-free options Second Home Spitalfields is fully accessible Doors open at 9:00am, talks begin at 9:30am sharp Refund policy Tickets are non-refundable. Please make sure you're able to attend before purchasing. As we confirm catering and other event costs in advance based on ticket numbers, we're unable to offer refunds for cancellations. If you're no longer able to attend, you're welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else. Please email [contact removed] with the name and email address of the new attendee so we can update the guest list. Created by JAIKU JAIKU is the storytelling agency for brands with soul. We help B Corps and purpose-led brands clarify their story, sharpen their positioning and messaging, and create content that connects with the people they care about.