Insights, Inspiration, and Our Path Forward
By Fiona Bruder, Global CEO
In my first 100 days as GPJ’s Global CEO, it’s been a privilege to dive deep into what makes us, well, us. I’ve seen firsthand the strength of our people, the creative excellence driving impact across the globe, and the trust our clients place in our hands.
This milestone isn’t just a moment to look back, but a chance to sharpen our focus and envision where we’re headed together. And what’s become even more clear to me is this: the world desperately needs more human, more purposeful connections—and the experiences we craft are how we deliver them.
A Turning Point for Marketing
I’ve connected with our teams across regions, listened intently to our clients, and spoken with partners who share our vision. What I’ve seen, time and again, reinforces a critical truth: marketing today is at a turning point.
Audiences are exhausted by the endless digital noise, but their hunger for genuine, real connection has never been stronger. The wider industry is only now beginning to truly grasp what GPJ has always known: real-life experiences don’t just move people, they inspire them. And inspired people drive businesses forward.
It’s clear that growth; for brands, teams, and individuals, begins with a mindset of curiosity and the courage to ask better questions; the kind that challenges our thinking and opens the door to new ways of seeing.
This insight is foundational as we shape a future where our experiences are more connected, more intelligent, and more purpose-driven. In a world where boundaries are constantly shifting, the boldest path forward begins with how we think, grow, and learn together.
Our Shared Purpose, Our Place in the World
We’re on a mission to do what only we can do; make marketing more human at a global scale, one fantastic experience at a time. This isn’t an abstract idea; it’s rooted directly in what the people we serve (our clients, attendees, and partners) truly need—a renewed sense of trust, intimacy, credibility, and tangible impact in a world feeling overwhelmed by digital overload.
And here’s the wonderful truth: this isn’t a new direction for us; it’s a powerful reaffirmation of a strength we’ve cultivated for decades.
We’re excited to continue driving the evolution of experiences to be:
- More integrated, more influential, and smarter in design, grounded in curiosity and driven by a mindset of continuous growth
- Supercharged by technology, yet unmistakably human— crafted with creativity and purpose to spark real connection
- Going beyond a single brand moment; pushing boundaries, inspiring learning, and creating lasting, positive impact
GPJ isn’t just reacting to a trend; we’ve been steadily building this future all along.
What Makes Us, Us
The market we operate in is transforming and demanding a new kind of leadership. In my conversations and observations, it’s abundantly clear that GPJ’s depth, creative fire, and global, strategic approach are essential advantages at this moment. We’re facing a fascinating paradox: the consumption of new media is exploding, but online profitability is declining. While nearly 75% of all webpages published in April used AI, trust in the internet is at an all-time low. This signals a profound fatigue with the purely digital.
Meanwhile, real-world connections are surging. Event spending is rapidly increasing its share of marketing budgets with a dramatic upward revision. Events now boast the highest impact on the consumer journey among all offline channels. This is a fundamental market recalibration. It demands human engagement, strategic foresight, and flawless execution—precisely what GPJ has always delivered, and what we are built to lead.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- With offices around the world and empowered by Project Worldwide, we’re part of a connected global network that shares knowledge, talent, and ideas across borders every day.
- Our strategy-first model ensures that every experience we craft works hard, works smart, and delivers measurable business impact for our clients.
- Our creative and production teams consistently deliver excellence—at scale, with both speed and precision.
- We proactively invest in innovation and learning, always staying ahead and eagerly embracing change to deliver cutting-edge solutions.
- We are the partner that Fortune 100 brands turn to for their most important moments, championing the most human marketing there is.
The Heart of How We Work
As I’ve traveled and reconnected with so many colleagues and friends, I’ve been reminded of the vibrant, values-driven culture we’ve built together over the years; one that I’ve had the privilege to help shape and am deeply committed to nurturing as we continue to evolve. This is a place where serious play and creativity thrive as a direct result of making space for bold experimentation, rich cross-learning, and collaboration.
The most extraordinary experiences are created by people who feel a profound sense of purpose, deep connection, and the freedom to imagine what’s truly possible.
Let me share a few moments that have stuck with me recently:
- When our teams support each other across borders, wherever the work and opportunity take them. Our US-based Live Production team stepped up to spend six weeks in Dubai supporting a new program. The result? A seamless launch, stronger global collaboration, and one team member who found such a meaningful fit that they’ve since relocated to the UAE full-time.
- When a junior designer shared an idea on a global call that unexpectedly sparked an entire campaign direction. That kind of curiosity and openness? That’s our superpower.
These aren’t exceptions. These are examples of what happens when people feel they belong, are trusted, and are inspired by the mission we all share.
On a More Personal Note
If there’s one key learning from my first 100 days, it’s the enduring power of listening.
I’ve learned that some of the most valuable insights come not from the loudest voices, but from the most thoughtful ones, and they often surface in the quiet moments: in a hallway conversation, a spontaneous idea shared in a late-night Slack, or a question posed with curiosity rather than certainty.
As a leader, I’m committed to making space for those voices. They will continue to guide how I lead and how we grow; with empathy, transparency, and intention.
The Road Ahead
We will continue to lead the industry and transform GPJ, strengthening our global integration and collaboration across the Project network, aligning us around our shared strategy and our defining mission. We’ll continue to invest deeply in our capabilities, and, most importantly, in our incredible people.
Our offerings are evolving to continue leading the industry, designing experiences that are more impactful, more connected, and more human than ever before. The future of marketing demands courage, creativity, and trust, and GPJ is already there, leading the way.
