4 thoughts from Oktane22

Last week, our US team members attended Okta’s identity conference, Oktane22, to learn more about Okta’s Identity First strategy, upcoming trends in the identity security space, and the importance of customer connections. We were excited to be able to attend IRL for Oktane’s 10th anniversary event.


From hearing about Serena Williams’s goals to drive more diversity in venture capital funding to live demos showcasing groundbreaking identity and security features, the three days were filled with memorable moments and learnings. We’ve summarized four key takeaways that we plan to bring back into our day-to-day work at distillery.

Tackling the "boundaryless world" 

It’s been shown that people are the weakest link in security, but this shouldn't mean we need to slow business down with hurdles such as endless passwords that need updating every two weeks. The time spent logging in or tracking passwords could instead be focused on core business needs, providing value to customers. Oktane showcased the potential unleashed by creating a seamless yet secure experience that allows employees to reach all their work, on all devices, and from all places.


At distillery, we promote employee flexibility, with remote working and teams spread across cities, countries, and continents. As we continue to grow, we welcome these insights on how to empower our teams to work more efficiently and securely.

Customer first, always

We understand the importance of our customers, as well as our clients’ customers. As legendary basketball player Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson said during the closing keynote, “You need to know your customer and over-deliver. That will help get brand ambassadors and repeat customers.” 

We are proud to help support our clients’ growth through the creation of impactful customer content, centered around engaging storytelling that celebrates the people driving change. We are honored that our clients continue to trust us with their most valuable asset: their customers. And we look forward to continuing to build on that trust by delivering outcome driven-work. 

Businesses can create positive impact

From the Plinko board in the expo hall, where attendees were invited to donate to a charity of their choice (we landed on $20 for Girls in Tech), to the Marine Toys for Tots Fundraiser held in honor of Veterans Day, the importance Okta places on giving back was clear throughout the event. 

"You can do well and do good at the same time.” This statement by Johnson truly highlights what many businesses are striving for, and underscores a key goal for us here at distillery, where we believe content can change the world.

By way of example, Johnson pointed to his movie theater venture, which gave an entertainment outlet to families living in impoverished neighborhoods. This initiative was a financial success that changed people’s lives by providing jobs, as well as being a place where families could feel safe. 

Diversity pays dividends

Investing in people of color and women is just good business sense. 

Williams noted that only 2% of VC funding goes to companies that were founded by women, a startling statistic that led her to create her VC firm, Serena Ventures. 

Johnson also spoke about how when he partnered with Starbucks to bring the coffee chain to black neighborhoods, the per capita spend was higher compared to other suburban markets. Part of the reason for this success? Focusing on the customer and adjusting the chain’s offering to better match the consumers’ wants and needs. Instead of scones, he suggested swapping in sweet potato pies. 

With studio d, our global curated network of top diverse creatives, we want to make it easier for brands to harness the under-represented in narratives for better creative, connection, and impact. Get in touch to find out more.

What did you take away from Oktane22? We hope to meet you there next year!