Joe Rospars, the social media guru behind Barack Obama’s successful 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, is to talk about the future of social media at this year’s Festival of Media Global in Rome.

Festival of Media Global 2015 will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri on 10 to 12 May, with the event exploring how media is impacting on consumers’ lives and driving global business.

Rospars, the founder and CEO of WPP-owned consultancy Blue State Digital, will provide an insight into the strategy behind those successful election campaigns, and explain how advertisers are adapting their digital strategies.

“Social media is revolutionising global politics, and shaping 2015 election campaigns from Argentina and Greece to the UK. As we build up to next year’s US presidential election, no one is better placed than Joe Rospars, chief digital strategist for Barack Obama’s winning campaigns, to paint a picture of 21st Century democracy,” said Jeremy King, content director at C Squared.

“From dealing with the world’s most powerful man to advising the globe’s most powerful brands, Joe will also give us an unrivalled insight into the future of social media. We are really excited to be joined by someone who can help brands to understand how they can humanise social media.”

Previously confirmed speakers for Festival of Media Global 2015 include Huffington Post CEO Jimmy Maymann and Guardian Newspapers deputy CEO David Pemsel, as well as Initiative global CEO Jim Elms.

See the latest list of speakers here, with many more to be confirmed soon