By Niamh Ryan - Reading time 1 min
Make-A-Wish International President & CEO Luciano Manzo and President of Disney Consumer products and Make-A-Wish International board member, Tasia Filippatos took to the Marketing Stage at the Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon to discuss The Power of Storytelling to Drive Action! The session was moderated by Steve Antoniewicz, Director at The Drum.
The Web Summit is one of the world’s largest technology conferences, bringing together startups, established tech companies, investors, media and thought-leaders. With over 70,000 people attending from more than 150 countries, the event features distinguished speakers from 1,000+ speakers covering multiple thematic tracks across technology, innovation, and business.
The Make-A-Wish x Disney discussion emphasized the enduring power of authentic storytelling in an era saturated with content. Genuine stories not only capture attention but also inspire action, build trust, and create lasting emotional connections. At Make-A-Wish International, storytelling is central to the mission, reflecting real experiences of children facing critical illnesses and the communities that support them. The conversation highlighted how wishes can serve as turning points for children, fostering resilience, hope, and a renewed sense of possibility.
The role of partnerships was also explored, with Disney recognized as Make-A-Wish’s largest wish granter over the last 45 years. Disney’s immersive experiences and storytelling approach help amplify the mission and engage broader audiences. Both organizations share values of imagination, compassion, and belief in the transformative power of a wish. This alignment in values is part of what has made this such and enduring partnership.