A Fintech Awards Show Like No Other? | Money20/20 | FF News at Money20/20 USA

These Fintech awards could be worth keeping an eye on. 

In our latest interview at Money20/20 Geraint Jones, Global VP of Marketing at Money20/20 itself, shares exciting updates about the launch of a global awards program, and some other ways the event is evolving including a renewed focus on growth and branding through initiatives like Marketing Wednesday. 

By serving an increasingly diverse audience and championing innovation, Money20/20 is solidifying its role as a leading platform for the fintech ecosystem.

In this video, find out: 

• How will ‘Money20/20 Awards’ be different from the rest? 
• What is Marketing Wednesday? 
• The unmatched value of face-to-face interactions.

Introducing The Money20/20 Awards

To start off the conversation, we made a big reveal (which got its big reveal at Money20/20’s ‘Sunday Night Live’ show). Here, Jones announces that Money20/20 is launching their own global awards program. 

He recognises this may elicit cynicism from some who feel there’s plenty of these already, but unlike existing awards in the industry he says, this initiative will leverage Money20/20’s global reach, spanning three major shows around the world, and provide a truly global outlook on the industry. 

It’s not going to be called ‘Money20/20 Awards’. We’ll find out the official name in April at the Money20/20 Asia show, where the categories and jury details will also be announced. Then the inaugural awards ceremony is slated for October 2025 at the Las Vegas show in just under a year’s time, taking center stage during that event’s Sunday Night Live. It’s an ambitious effort but it underlines Money20/20’s commitment to recognising advancements in fintech.

A Shift in Focus: Growth and Marketing

We always love to hear more about Money20/20’s content, which has traditionally revolved around fintech innovation and regulatory updates, such as the recent discussions on Generative AI in finance and progressions related to Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. But they’re pivoting towards addressing other topics too such as growth and branding.

This shift is exemplified by the success of Marketing Wednesday, introduced last year to engage CMOs and explore strategies for brand building and market positioning. They’ve had high-profile speakers like Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s CMO, and this year’s lineup included CMOs from Fiserv, Experian, and First Citizens Bank.

Jones highlighted the growing influence of B2C marketing principles in the B2B space, citing Shannon from Fiserv, who brought her expertise from Nike’s Jordan brand into fintech. This cross-pollination is inspiring real innovation at the event too.

Serving a Broadening Ecosystem

For Jones, Money20/20’s success lies in its ability to serve an increasingly diverse audience, from sales and compliance professionals to researchers and analysts. As seen above, marketers, though historically underrepresented, are now receiving dedicated attention.

By identifying and engaging underserved audiences, Money20/20 is not only expanding its ecosystem but also reinforcing its position as a must-attend event. As Jones explained, this approach builds a “moat” around the brand, adding new dimensions of value for attendees and partners alike.

The Power of In-Person Connections

As might be expected from someone at the top of an in-person event, Jones spoke passionately about the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions. The buzz of the show floor, the packed Sunday Night Live sessions, and the ability to shake hands and connect face-to-face are undeniably key to helping business relationships flourish.

Jones recounted highlights from the event, including a standout presentation by Rohit Chopra, who provided clarity on the implications of Section 1033. And he noted that it’s one of the big things attendees repeatedly point out – how it accelerates business in ways virtual meetings simply cannot replicate.

There’s much more in this short interview, including what the future holds for Money20/20, so be sure to watch that to find out. We also have lots of other great interviews from the event here and a further insight into the creation of the event from CCO Scarlett Sieber in our recent