Marie Stafford 'The Future 100, 2026'

This episode of The New Abnormal podcast feature, Marie Stafford, Global Director, Intelligence at VML. In it, she spoke about the latest edition of VML’s Future 100 report and the broader forces shaping consumers, brands and culture. Unlike many annual trend reports, VML’s research is continuously updated, allowing the team to identify meaningful shifts rather than seasonal observations.

The discussion centres on five macro themes underpinning this year’s report. The first, ‘Disoptimism’ captures a paradoxical mindset: people clearly recognise the political, economic and environmental challenges facing society, yet remain personally optimistic about their own futures. Closely connected is ‘Resilience Rising’ which argues that resilience has evolved from a reactive survival mechanism into an intentional life skill. The third theme ‘Metamorphic Lives’ reflects consumers’ growing desire for experiences that actively transform them. The fourth ‘Story Worlds’ explores the shift from passive media consumption towards immersive participation. The final macro theme ‘Future Archaeology’ examines how brands and consumers are rediscovering heritage, indigenous knowledge and craftsmanship as sources of innovation.

The conversation then shifted to Marie’s observations from the latest Cannes Lions Festival. She identified several dominant themes emerging across the industry: first is a call to escape what she describes as the #AgeOfBeige. A second major theme focused on preserving uniquely human capabilities in the age of AI. Marie also highlights the growing strategic importance of creators. Another discussion centred on the value of ‘creative friction’. Finally, she illuminated how the debate around brand purpose has evolved. Throughout the discussion, Marie argues that while technology continues to transform every industry, the greatest opportunities lie in combining innovation with authentic human insight, creativity, resilience and cultural understanding. These qualities, she concludes, will define the brands best equipped to thrive amid continuing uncertainty…

So, I hope you enjoyed listening to her as much as I did!