The Sixth Suite

What happens when the company you built grows beyond what you can personally control?

In Episode 8 of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Saad Uddin, Co-Founder and CEO of Native Touch, to unpack what it actually takes to scale a business — from knowing when to let go, to building a culture that can grow without you.

Saad shares the evolution of Native Touch from a mobile ad network into a broader advertising technology business, how acquisitions have forced him to rethink leadership and delegation, and why respect has become one of the foundations of the culture they've built. He also gets candid about building the company alongside his wife, learning to trust experts in areas he doesn't fully understand, creating a culture where failure can actually lead to better work, and one early mistake that nearly caused the business to cease to exist: not bringing in the right financial expertise soon enough.

Before the interview, Nikki and Clare dig into the bigger forces reshaping business today — from AI-driven restructuring and the challenge of measuring real AI efficiency, to Shopify's long-term approach to growth, talent and its distinctive “trust battery” philosophy.

And Saad leaves the Sixers with one simple piece of advice: “Be original.” Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Don’t let everyone else's perspective define yours. Because, as Saad puts it, nobody has it figured out.

🎙️ Hosted by Nikki Stone & Clare Ravenstreet

#TheSixthSuite #NativeTouch #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CompanyCulture #AdTech

What does it take to turn a mission into measurable impact?

In this special iDREAM episode of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Malcolm Wright, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nobellum, to talk about entrepreneurship, access, community, and what happens when founders are given the resources they need to grow.

Nobellum began with a mandate to help launch 100 Black-owned businesses in STEM. Malcolm shares how that mission has grown to 121 businesses, $75 million in revenue, $10 million in investment, and 250 jobs created — along with partnerships designed to provide founders with funding, mentorship and support at different stages of their journey.

The conversation also explores what it looks like to scale an organization while growing as a leader yourself. Malcolm opens up about maintaining Nobellum’s mission through “organized chaos,” giving your team grace, surrounding yourself with the right support system, and learning from the challenges that come with building something bigger than you originally imagined.

Malcolm also reflects on what receiving the iDREAM Award has meant for Nobellum, particularly the visibility and credibility it has created for the organization and the entrepreneurs it supports.

And to close, Malcolm leaves us with a simple perspective on gratitude and growth:

“My biggest problems last year are my smallest problems this year — and that signifies growth.”

Hosted by Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet.

#TheSixthSuite #iDREAM #Nobellum #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BlackEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth

Are we creating content for people — or are we creating it for the algorithm?

In Episode 7 of The Sixth Suite, Nikki Stone sits down with Malcolm Wright for a wide-ranging conversation about marketing, culture, leadership, and what it takes to genuinely connect with an audience in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. As brands compete for attention, it can be tempting to chase whatever the platforms appear to reward. But views, engagement and reach don't necessarily mean you've created something meaningful.

Malcolm joins Nikki to unpack the tension between building for the algorithm and building for real people, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how marketers can avoid getting caught in the endless pursuit of the next trend.

The conversation explores how brands can participate in culture without forcing themselves into it, why understanding your audience has to go deeper than performance metrics, and what happens when the pressure to generate engagement starts influencing the work itself. Because ultimately, the algorithm might help people discover you — but it’s the idea, the story and the human connection that gives them a reason to stay.

In this episode we talk:

• The problem with chasing algorithms and engagement
• Creating content for people rather than platforms
• What actually makes an idea resonate
• Authenticity in modern marketing
• How brands can participate in culture
• Balancing performance with meaningful creative
• Where marketing and social content are heading next

 

The Sixth Suite — Episode 7: The Algorithm Bait

Guest: Malcolm Wright

Co-hosts: Nikki Stone & Clare Ravenstreet

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to The Sixth Suite for more candid conversations with the people shaping business, marketing, leadership and culture.

Drake dropped an album wearing a coat with the Sleep Country logo — and 12 hours later, Sleep Country had a full campaign live: two contests, radio, and out-of-home. Live from Cannes Lions 2026, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Nuno Bamberg, SVP of Brand & Marketing at Sleep Country (strategy magazine's 2025 Brand of the Year), on what reacting at the speed of culture actually takes.

 

Inside this episode: the midnight "Don't let it drop" text and the machine behind the moment (remove the blockers, know the line, trust the team), why great creative environments come from leadership and ideas deserve backing before the numbers arrive, why every point of connection must become a point of conversion when your hero product sells every 8–10 years, marketing as pro sports, clarity vs. certainty — and the life advice that made the whole room gasp: say the hard thing out loud.

 

🏠 Recorded at the DIVE house during Cannes Lions 2026.

 

🇨🇦 This Cannes series supports NABS Canada — the only Canadian charity dedicated to media, marketing and communications professionals, through financial assistance and mental wellness support. Thank you Perion for this week's $1,000 donation to the Cannes Awareness Campaign. Donate: https://nabs.org

 

Chapters (spot-check against final cut):

(00:00) Welcome: Nuno Bamberg + the Sleep Country portfolio

(02:10) Why we're at Cannes: NABS (+ thank you, Perion)

(03:00) Creative environments come from leadership

(06:45) The Drake drop: a full campaign in 12 hours

(11:00) Every connection is a conversion

(13:00) Planning for spontaneity: the operational rails

(15:30) Clarity, not certainty + say the hard thing out loud

 

Guest: Nuno Bamberg — SVP, Brand & Marketing, Sleep Country · https://linkedin.com/in/nuno-bamberg · https://sleepcountry.ca

Hosts: Nikki Stone — Founder, YQ Advisory · https://thinkyq.com · Clare Ravenstreet

 

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSixthSuite

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oBGB4Ig2dzaZOVfurpQTc?si=f29b72e11bbe4cc3

All episodes: https://thesixthsuitepodcast.com

Follow: IG/TikTok @thesixthsuite · LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-sixth-suite

 

⭐ Follow the show on Podbean, rate it, and share it with three people you want in your six — and if this one hit, donate to NABS Canada → https://nabs.org

 

TikTok's Out of Phone is putting real TikToks on billboards in Times Square — and this is the story from the man behind it. Live from Cannes Lions 2026 and presented by DIVE (TikTok's Canadian Out of Phone partner), Nikki Stone sits down with Dan Page, Global Head of Partnerships, New Screens at TikTok, on the mandate that started it all: two billion screens outside of mobile phones — get TikTok on all of them.

 

Inside this episode: why "Don't make ads, make TikToks" is the whole playbook, the partnership with Canada's DIVE, interactive campaigns that can put any TikTok user on a billboard, and the billboards built entirely out of the comments section — with brands like Lowe's and McDonald's jumping in themselves. Plus Dan's life advice for the Sixers: kill the FOMO. Find good people, have meaningful conversations, follow your passion.

 

🤝 Presented by DIVE — Canadian social-to-DOOH specialists: https://divebillboards.com

 

💛 The honorary 6er hats in this episode support NABS Canada — the only Canadian charity dedicated to media, marketing and communications professionals, through financial assistance and mental wellness support. Donate: https://nabs.org

 

Chapters:

(00:00) A unicorn entrance + the 6er hat for NABS

(01:20) How Cannes has changed

(02:30) Out of Phone: the two-billion-screen mandate

(04:00) "Don't make ads, make TikToks" + DIVE

(05:00) Times Square, creators & fans on billboards

(06:45) Comments-section billboards

(08:10) Life advice: kill the FOMO

 

Guest: Dan Page — Global Head of Partnerships, New Screens, TikTok · https://linkedin.com/in/therealdanpage

Sponsor: DIVE · https://divebillboards.com

Hosts: Nikki Stone — Founder, YQ Advisory · https://thinkyq.com · Clare Ravenstreet

 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesixthsuite?si=VH1Z2wHxYzEds1P6

Listen on Spotify: [SPOTIFY EPISODE LINK]

All episodes: https://thesixthsuitepodcast.com

Follow: IG/TikTok @thesixthsuite · LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/the-sixth-suite

 

⭐ Follow the show on Podbean, rate it, and share it with three people you want in your six.
💛 Donate to NABS Canada → https://nabs.org

The Sixth Suite Q-Series kicks off live from Cannes Lions 2026 with Aaron Reitkopf, CEO of DAWN.

Recorded from Cannes, this conversation explores creativity, leadership, storytelling, independence, and how the future of marketing is evolving as brands, agencies, and creators rethink the way they connect with audiences.

Aaron shares his perspective on navigating change, building meaningful businesses, and why strong ideas and authentic storytelling continue to matter in an increasingly complex media landscape.

This Q-Series is also part of The Sixth Suite’s campaign to raise awareness for NABS Canada, a charity supporting professionals across Canada’s media, marketing, advertising, and communications industries through financial assistance, career support, and mental wellness resources.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping make this campaign possible:

Locala
Vertical Impression
DIVE
Silverpush
YQ – A Business Advisory Firm

🎧 Follow The Sixth Suite for more Q-Series conversations recorded live from Cannes Lions 2026.

💬 Enjoyed the conversation? Share this episode with someone working in media, marketing, advertising, or business.

#CannesLions2026 #TheSixthSuite #QSeries #NABSCanada #AaronReitkopf

🎙️ Q-Series at Cannes Lions 2026: Vertical Impression

In this Q-Series episode of The Sixth Suite, recorded live at Cannes Lions 2026, Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with Nicolette from Vertical Impression for a sharp conversation about attention, contextual relevance, media innovation, and the power of ideas.

What is really shaping the future of advertising and media?

Nicolette shares her biggest takeaways from Cannes, exploring stronger systems, smarter strategy, emotionally resonant campaigns, and technology designed to create better experiences for both brands and consumers.

The conversation dives into why ideas are a form of currency, why winning is never a solo sport, how IR Code is changing live and immersive experiences, and why protecting your mornings may be some of the most valuable life advice you can follow.

💡 In this episode:
• Ideas as a currency
• The evolving attention economy
• Contextual relevance in advertising
• Smarter media and marketing strategy
• IR Code and immersive brand experiences
• Emotional resonance in campaigns
• DV360, passion, and purpose
• Why protecting your mornings matters

💙 Supporting NABS

This Q-Series is dedicated to raising awareness for NABS — the National Advertising Benevolent Society — supporting Canadian media, marketing, and advertising professionals through financial assistance, career support, and mental wellness resources.

If this conversation gives you a new perspective, share it with someone working in media, marketing, advertising, technology, or business who needs to hear it.

Follow and subscribe to The Sixth Suite for more Q-Series conversations from Cannes Lions 2026, industry insights, bold ideas, and life advice worth sharing.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Q-Series from Cannes
01:18 – Nicolette from Vertical Impression joins The Sixth Suite
02:25 – Cannes insights: systems, strategy, and smarter campaigns
03:38 – Ideas as a currency and the power of contextual relevance
06:44 – IR Code, emotional resonance, and immersive brand experiences
09:40 – DV360, passion, and finding what fuels your soul
11:24 – Life advice: protect your mornings

🔎 Topics

Cannes Lions 2026, The Sixth Suite, Q-Series, Vertical Impression, Nicolette, attention economy, media innovation, advertising, marketing, contextual intelligence, attention-based media, NABS Canada, brand experience, IR Code, DV360, marketing strategy.

#CannesLions #TheSixthSuite #QSeries #MediaInnovation #NABS

Everyone at Cannes has an AI pitch. Almost nobody survives a direct question about it. In this Q-Series episode of The Sixth Suite — live from the Croisette — Nikki Stone and Clare Ravenstreet sit down with two people who don't do vague: Hadrien Bailly, Managing Director of Locala Canada (11 years in), and Grant Gudgel, Locala's new CMO — formerly SVP Marketing at Verve and Head of Teads Studio, here on his eighth Cannes. Hadrien's mission this week: ask the direct questions, cut the bullshit, and find out who's actually building with AI versus who just found a prompt.

It's the backdrop for Locala's sharpened positioning — using AI as the concrete bridge from insight to activation, so brands can adapt as fast as the market moves. Grant calls it now: after a decade of "the year of mobile," we've entered the 10-year year of AI — and the smartest things at Cannes aren't being said on stages. They're said one-on-one. Then it gets personal: two pieces of life advice that have nothing to do with adtech and everything to do with how you build a life. Keep fighting. And never confuse keeping your options open with being free.

💗 THIS SERIES SUPPORTS NABS CANADA Our Cannes Q-Series is part of our campaign to raise funds and awareness for NABS — the National Advertising Benevolent Society, the only Canadian charity dedicated to supporting media, marketing and communications professionals through financial assistance and mental wellness support. @NABS_Canada

► Donate + learn more: nabs.org

• How to tell real AI capability from a rebrand with a prompt — ask direct questions • Locala's new positioning: AI as the bridge from insight → activation • Why the smartest Cannes conversations happen one-on-one, never on panels

• The 10-year year of AI — and the discrete applications that actually matter • NABS, the BEC, Volley BEC & Le Bal En Noir: how industry community builds careers • Hadrien: "Keep fighting" — a deeply personal story of hope • Grant: optionality is not freedom — commitments give life its meaning

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ► CHAPTERS ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 — Live from Cannes: welcome to the Q-Series
01:27 — Meet Locala: Hadrien Bailly & Grant Gudgel
02:00 — Real AI vs. buzzword theatre
03:15 — Eight Cannes in: the magic is one-on-one
05:00 — NABS, the BEC & community that builds careers
07:35 — Life advice: keep fighting, commit like you mean it 

► GUESTS: Hadrien Bailly — Managing Director, Locala Canada, Grant Gudgel — Chief Marketing Officer, Locala Locala — AI-powered advertising, from insight to activation → asklocala.com · LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ask-locala 

► HOSTS: Nikki Stone — Founder, YQ → thinkyq.com · @YQ_growonpurpose ·  Clare Ravenstreet — @Clareravenstreetteam
The Sixth Suite is brought to you by YQ → thinkyq.com 

► SUPPORT NABS CANADA 
NABS Canada is the safety net for Canadian media and advertising professionals — from financial assistance to mental wellness support, when our community needs it most.
🌐 nabs.org ·
📸 IG: @nabs_canada ·
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nabs-canada · FB: @nabsCanada
💗 Every view, share, and dollar helps. Donate → nabs.org

 ► FOLLOW THE SIXTH SUITE 
▶️ YouTube: @thesixthsuite 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oBGB4Ig2dzaZOVfurpQTc?si=2593024656d843b5
🍎 Apple Podcasts: search "The Sixth Suite"
📸 Instagram: @thesixthsuite ·
🎵 TikTok: @thesixthsuite
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-sixth-suite 

►IF YOU LOVE THIS EPISODE
🔔 SUBSCRIBE — more Cannes drops are landing all week.
💬 COMMENT: what's the most concrete use of AI you've actually seen this year?
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#TheSixthSuite #QSeries #CannesLions #Locala #AI #AdTech #Marketing #NABSCanada #NABS