Brand Innovators Lab - Brand Innovators
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Brand Innovators Lab

Mar 10 • Hosted by PepsiCo • Playa Vista

An invite only afternoon for senior brand marketing leaders. We’ll dive into leadership, innovation, technology, and how to build high-performing, collaborative teams through curated roundtables, interactive panels, and structured networking. Every attendee will have the chance to engage meaningfully with peers, and we’ll close the day with a VIP dinner at one of LA’s hottest spots. Request your invite via form below. *Participation not guaranteed*

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

  • 12:00 PM Registration and Lunch
  • 1:00 PM Opening Remarks

    Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

    Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

    Cynthia Glanzberg, Vice President, Content & Community, West Coast, Brand Innovators

    Jenny Danzi, Vice President of Marketing, Functional Beverages, PepsiCo

  • 1:10 PM Brands Creating Culture: How Brands Create Community & Move at the Speed of Culture

    Today’s most powerful brands don’t just market to audiences, they create spaces for community. Join PepsiCo leaders as they share how brands can tap into culture, spark participation, and stay relevant at the speed of change.

    Katy Jones, Vice President, Creative, poppi, PepsiCo

    Jennifer Kalban, Senior Marketing Manager- Action & Motorsports, Rockstar Energy, PepsiCo

    Elaine San Jose, Senior Director, Brand Marketing, Alani Nu, CELSUIS, PepsiCo

    Laura Scott, Director of Creative Product Development, poppi, PepsiCo

    Angie Thomas, Marketing Senior Manager, Functional Beverages, PepsiCo

    Moderated by: Abby Laursen, Sr. Director of Product Marketing, Snap

  • 1:45 PM Networking Exercise
  • 2:30 PM Breakout Roundtables

    All participants will break into small, facilitated roundtables for a 60-minute, peer-driven discussion. These conversations are designed for open dialogue, shared learning, and active participation, giving every attendee the opportunity to engage deeply with fellow senior leaders.

  • 3:45 PM Networking Break
  • 4:00 PM Scaling Innovation Without Diluting the Brand

    Lily Badger, Director, Brand Strategy, Taco Bell

    Moderated by: Tony Song, Head of Network & Advanced TV Sales, Scripps

  • 4:30 PM The Modern Marketing Leader: What the Role Actually Requires Now

    Today’s marketing leaders are navigating more change, pressure, and complexity than ever before. This conversation unpacks how the role is evolving, from leading cross-functional teams to managing ambiguity, adopting new technologies, and building cultures that can move fast without burning out.

    Stacey Politi, Chief Marketing Officer, IPSY

    Moderated by: Rebecca Weidenbenner, Senior Director, Global Client Development, The Trade Desk

  • 5:00 PM Session Wrap

Speakers

Lily Badger

Director, Brand Strategy, Taco Bell

Jenny Danzi

Vice President of Marketing, Functional Beverages, PepsiCo

Katy Jones

Vice President, Creative, poppi, PepsiCo

Jennifer Kalban

Senior Marketing Manager- Action & Motorsports, Rockstar Energy, PepsiCo

Abby Laursen

Sr. Director of Product Marketing, Snap

Nasrin Pak

Head Marketing, Brand Engagement, Content, Community & Culture, Partnership, e-retailers, L'Oréal

Stacey Politi

Chief Marketing Officer, IPSY

Elaine San Jose

Senior Director, Brand Marketing, Alani Nu, Celsius Holdings

Laura Scott

Director of Creative Product Development, poppi, PepsiCo

Tony Song

Head of Network & Advanced TV Sales, Scripps

Angie Thomas

Marketing Senior Manager, Functional Beverages, PepsiCo

Rebecca Weidenbenner

General Manager, Business Development, The Trade Desk

Sponsors

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