Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur, Co-founder
Maximum Effort
Ryan Reynolds is one of Hollywood’s most diverse leading men seamlessly transitioning through varied genres of drama, action and comedy in his rich and ever evolving career. He is equally as successful off-screen as a producer, screenwriter, entrepreneur, and marketing powerhouse.
He is the Golden Globe nominated star and producer of the 20th Century Fox billion-dollar franchise Deadpool.
Beyond acting, Reynolds is a successful entrepreneur and an award-winning marketer, creating breakthrough campaigns for Deadpool as well Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile and the Match Group. He is an owner of Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Wrexham Football Club, Chief Creative Officer of MNTN and a co-founder of Maximum Effort Productions. He has been recognized as one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and AdWeek among others.
Monday Jan 12
8:30am - 9:15am
Vusion Theatre
Ryan Reynolds has redefined what it means to be a modern entrepreneur. From Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile to Wrexham A.F.C. and his creative agency Maximum Effort, Ryan has built and scaled global brands that punch far above their weight. His ventures share a common playbook: authentic storytelling, humor with purpose, and an uncanny ability to turn customers into communities. Moderating this session, Adyen CFO Ethan Tandowsky brings the perspective of a financial technology partner to leading global retail brands like H&M, L’Oreal, and Tory Burch. Together they will unpack how the principles behind Ryan’s success translate to today’s retail landscape, where connection, creativity, and culture drive growth more than budget size. Hear how Ryan built challenger brands that took on industry giants, leveraged digital media to create outsized reach, and led with authenticity to earn enduring consumer trust. For global retail leaders navigating constant disruption, Ryan's approach offers a blueprint for building brands that resonate, scale, and endure in the age of the empowered consumer.
