Meet The Palmas Judges: Aiman Ahmed's Hot Takes

Meet the minds behind The Palmas, Digital Summit's new awards program designed for agencies and brands. Before they evaluate this year's most creative work, we're getting to know our judges through a series of quick-fire questions that reveal the people behind the expertise. From career lessons and creative inspiration to favorite brands, playlists, and personal rituals, these Hot Takes offer a glimpse into what shapes today's marketing leaders.

Aiman Ahmed's Hot Takes

A piece of work or a partnership you're genuinely proud of, and what made it click?

A few years ago, I led the campaign for A Real Bug’s Life, which came at a pivotal moment for National Geographic. At the time, we didn’t yet have a defined Kids & Family strategy, and it was our first major synergy effort tied to a Pixar property, A Bug’s Life. The opportunity was to tap into the nostalgia of the original film while creating something that resonated with a new generation of young viewers and their parents. As a parent myself, I was able to bring a personal perspective to the work, helping shape a campaign that struck the right tone and reached the right audience.

The approval process was challenging, but my team and I embraced it as an opportunity to rethink how we worked. In the end, those constraints pushed us to be more creative, collaborative, and strategic, resulting in a stronger campaign and valuable lessons about navigating a large organization like The Walt Disney Company.

Three years later, we’re still applying many of the learnings from that campaign. In fact, it became the foundation for a repeatable content format we first tested there, “Kids React To…”, which has since become a successful framework for engaging younger audiences. The campaign not only delivered strong results but also earned multiple industry awards, including a Clio Award, making it one of the projects I’m most proud of.

What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A podcast or Substack newsletter in rotation?

I listen to the Town for entertainment industry related news and The Daily every morning.

Go-to song or playlist right now?

Hell at Night by BigXthaPlug feat. Ella Langley 

A creator you keep coming back to?

I love @Oldfashionedhustle, her storytelling style is equal parts entertaining and relatable. She is so authentically herself, it’s incredibly refreshing.

What are you watching that's not work-related?

I just finished Off Campus and now starting Avatar: Seven Havens

What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

I have two little girls with big personalities so I’m sure it was something they did to make me laugh out loud

Coffee order?

First thing in the morning- hot, black, no frills.

Afternoon- Iced vanilla latte with oat milk and an extra shot of espresso

What's your end-of-day ritual?

My husband and I drink chamomile tea together every night after getting our girls to sleep and after resetting our house. We love trying different varieties and then I do my skincare routine, put on my bonnet, and read on my kindle before falling asleep.

 What's your walk-up song, if your workday had one?

Ooh this is a good one, I’d say it would be One Love by Bob Marley. I love the message and how it makes me feel!

Campaign you still think about (good or bad)?

I led the social campaign for the Oscar-winning film Free Solo, and it remains one of the most formative experiences of my career. The project constantly challenged me to stretch beyond my comfort zone, take risks, and trust my instincts. It was the first time I felt empowered to fully experiment and push creative boundaries. More than anything, it was the campaign that made me fall in love with the power of social media marketing. The scale, the audience response, and the opportunity to help tell such an extraordinary story showed me what was possible when great content meets great strategy.

A brand that consistently surprises you?

I honestly love how GAP has stayed consistently relevant and exciting. I especially love the work they are doing in the creator space. 

What brand do you secretly want to work for?

I work for my dream brand but would love to work in the tech space, especially at a place like Anthropic. 

Best piece of career advice you've ignored?

I once had a manager tell me to keep my opinions to myself and avoid rocking the boat. He preferred that I share my thoughts with him so he could deliver them on my behalf. It’s fair to say I didn’t take that advice. I’ve learned that my perspective is one of my greatest strengths, and speaking up has opened far more doors than staying quiet ever could.

What's one word you want more of in your work this year?

Passion!

What are you saying “yes” to more this year?

I’m saying yes to more alone “me” time. Between leading a team and motherhood, I’m carving out intentional “me” moments to rest and reset.

What are you saying “no” to more this year?

I’m saying “no” to imposter syndrome. My moto is: “If I wasn’t ready, the opportunity wouldn’t exist.”

Head to digitalsummit.com/thepalmas to check out the full category list, judging criteria, and submission details. Nomination entries are open through August 21, so don’t sit on this one!