Overview:
At Advertising Week 2025, actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon joined social impact leader Stacy Huston and New Profit CEO Tulaine Montgomery for a fireside chat that explored the intersection of creativity and purpose. Together, they discussed how authentic storytelling and collaborative partnerships between brands, nonprofits, and creatives can drive meaningful social change.
Purpose Meets Production at Advertising Week
In an age where audiences expect brands to do good while doing business, “Purpose, Produced: Where Cause Meets Creative” delivered an energizing reminder. Storytelling is most powerful when it serves a greater cause.
The session, held Monday, October 6, at Advertising Week, brought together actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon, SixDegrees.org Executive Director Stacy Huston, and Tulaine Montgomery. They discussed the evolving relationship between creativity, commerce, and community.
Moderated by Montgomery, the talk examined how the intersection of purpose and production can move audiences from passive viewers. These viewers become active participants in shaping culture.
Kevin Bacon: Connecting the World One Degree at a Time
Kevin Bacon, an actor known for his expansive and diverse career, reminded attendees that impact doesn’t just come from the screen. It can come from how we use our platforms.
Through his nonprofit SixDegrees.org, founded in 2007, Bacon has built a bridge between entertainment and empowerment. The organization connects people with local causes and community initiatives, fostering what he calls “the ripple effect of good.”
This year, his podcast “Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon” received two Webby Awards and two Anthem Awards. It highlighted stories of changemakers making a real difference. Bacon reflected on how creativity can amplify empathy:
“When people see themselves in a story—when they feel part of something bigger—that’s where true change begins,” Bacon said.
Stacy Huston: Producing Purpose with the CRAFT Method
As Executive Director of SixDegrees.org, Stacy Huston has become one of the foremost producers of purpose-driven storytelling.
She spoke on the CRAFT Method, a five-step approach she developed. It helps to deepen engagement and authenticity in philanthropic initiatives. Huston’s experience—spanning collaborations with Warner Bros, iHeartMedia, MTV, NAACP LDF, and The ACLU—demonstrates how shared purpose can unite corporations, creatives, and communities.
Her message was clear:
“When purpose is produced with intention, it doesn’t just inspire—it sustains,” Huston emphasized. “That’s how you turn moments into movements.”
Tulaine Montgomery: Building Bridges Between Profit and Purpose
Moderating the session, Tulaine Montgomery brought her experience as CEO of New Profit, a venture philanthropy firm focused on systemic change.
Montgomery framed the discussion around the idea that social impact is not a side project—it’s a business imperative.
With a background that spans YouthBuild USA, United Way, and Citizen Schools, she underscored that authentic alignment between brand purpose and impact is essential. It ensures long-term trust and cultural relevance.
“The future belongs to those who blend heart and strategy,” Montgomery noted. “When you build relevance with integrity, you build resilience, too.”
Key Takeaways
- Entertainment inspires empathy. Storytelling and creativity have the power to forge emotional connections that drive social awareness and action.
- Authenticity builds trust. Aligning brand purpose with genuine social impact is no longer optional—it’s expected.
- Collaboration creates scale. When nonprofits, corporations, and creatives unite, campaigns don’t just make impressions—they make an impact.
Closing Thoughts
“Purpose, Produced” encapsulated a key message for the advertising and creative industries: true influence is measured not by reach, but by relevance.
As Kevin Bacon, Stacy Huston, and Tulaine Montgomery demonstrated, when creativity meets cause, stories can do more than sell—they can serve.
Sources:
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s reporting and views and has not been edited by Presence News editorial staff.
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