Leadership in Brand Marketing Summit @ SXSW in Austin - Brand Innovators
Tentpoles Past Events

Leadership in Brand Marketing Summit @ SXSW in Austin

Mar 13 - Mar 16 • Hosted by Lamberts Restaurant & La Condesa • Austin
Brand Innovators Leadership in Brand Marketing Summit in Austin Friday-Monday March 13-16

Friday, March 13, 2026

  • 9:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
  • 9:30 AM - Lamberts Stage Opening Remarks

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

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

    Gisela Germano, Chief Content & Community Officer, Brand Innovators

    Pearl Tam, Senior Vice President, Content & Community, Brand Innovators

  • 9:45 AM - Lamberts Stage Fireside Chat

    Cheryl Guerin, EVP Global Brand Strategy and Innovation, Mastercard

    Moderated by: Lisa Rosenberg, Global President, Consumer Brands, Allison Worldwide

  • 10:15 AM - Lamberts Stage Marketing Trends 2026: What’s Next, What’s Now, What’s Over

    From AI-powered personalization and decentralized social networks to sustainability-first branding and voice-driven commerce – the next era of marketing is already in motion. This session will unpack the trends that are shaping 2026 and beyond, helping marketers prepare for what’s coming while recalibrating for what’s already here.

    Katka Renckens, Head of Brand, Rituals

    Drew Ingram, US Media Activations Lead, PepsiCo

    Marie Langhout-Franklin, VP, Marketing (Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack), Nordstrom

    Celia Tombalakian, Global Vice President & Head of Brand, bareMinerals

    Moderated by: Madeleine Ringwood, Director of Partnerships, Pre

  • 11:00 AM - Lamberts Stage Beauty, Science & the Algorithm: Building a Brand in the Age of Infinite Discovery

    Kevin Shapiro, Head of Neutrogena, Kenvue

    Moderated by: Ken Lagana, Chief Revenue Officer, Media.net

     

  • 11:25 AM - Lamberts Stage Permission to Grow: Portfolio Positioning vs Product Positioning

    Talia Solomon, Interim Head of Brand, Kindle Scribe, Amazon

    Darryl Mascarenhas, Head of Brand Creative, Devices Brand Services (DBS), Amazon

    Moderated by: Katie Hegarty, Sales Lead, Lyft Ads 

  • 11:45 AM - Lamberts Stage No Buzzwords, No Bullshit: How Brands Participate in and Influence Culture

    Chris Epple, Vice President, Marketing Americas, Harman International

    Moderated by: Lance Wolder, Head of Strategy and Marketing, PadSquad

  • 12:10 PM - Lamberts Stage From Passion to Platform: How Podcasts Become Scalable Media Businesses

    What starts as a passion project can evolve into a powerful media platform – but scale requires strategy. As podcasting matures, the most successful shows are being built with the discipline of modern media businesses, balancing creative authenticity with growth, monetization, and measurable brand value. This session explores how podcasts transition from niche content to scalable platforms that brands can confidently invest in.

    Max Cutler, Founder & CEO, PAVE Studios

    Dan Granger, CEO, Oxford Road

    Caitlin Nugent, VP, Performance Agency Lead, Audacy

    Moderated by: Leah Reis-Dennis – Head of Podcasts, Audacy 

  • 12:35 PM - Lamberts Stage Winning Culture: How Molson Coors Stays Ahead in a Changing Beverage Landscape

    Sofia Colucci, Chief Marketing Officer, Molson Coors

    Moderated by: Ben Fielder, Head of Enterprise Sales, West Coast, Stack Adapt

  • 1:00 PM - Lamberts Stage The Partnership Economy: Designing Human-Centered Brand Ecosystems

    Brands used to show up in culture through campaigns and sponsorships. Today, the most effective brands operate inside ecosystems—where partnerships unlock credibility, experiences create emotional connection, and media scales participation. From sporting events to culinary festivals and cultural collaborations, modern marketers must design human-centered systems that turn moments into momentum. In this conversation, Team One leaders explore how brands are evolving beyond traditional sponsorships to build ecosystems that connect culture, community, and measurable business impact.

    Nichole Kirsch, Management Director, Media, Team One

    Nanette Tran-Conerly, Account Director, Experiential, Team One

    Moderated by: Lizzie Black, VP Sales, Kargo

  • 1:25 PM - Lamberts Stage Crafting Brands People Care About

    Disruption works best when it’s intentional. This session dives into how brands align purpose, creativity, and courage to stand out in meaningful ways. Learn how to create brand expressions that feel bold, human, and impossible to ignore.

    Dr. Marcus Collins, Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business

    Kathy Maurella, Chief Marketing Officer, Waterloo Sparkling Water

    Erica Tam, SVP of Brand, Bloom Nutrition

    Katelyn Zborowski, Head of Brand Strategy & Integrated Marketing, Pizza Hut

    Moderated by: Sam Saez, Vice President, Enterprise Sales, Bazaarvoice

  • 2:00 PM - Lamberts Stage How Chili’s Became The Hottest Restaurant In America

    Jesse Johnson, VP of Marketing, Chili’s

    Moderated by: Rosie Reynolds, Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk

  • 2:25 PM - Lamberts Stage State of the Industry: Innovation, Disruption and the Road Ahead

    As technology continues to redefine how consumers live, work and connect, brand marketers talk about the latest trends shaping the industry – from AI and automation to experiential and immersive experiences.

    Marnie Boyer, Chief Marketing Officer, MyFitnessPal

    Whitney Magnuson, Head of Brand & Media, Zoom

    Heather Stuckey, VP, Transformation & Integration, North America, Mars

    Liz Vanzura, Chief Marketing Officer, Solo Brands

    Moderated By: Caroline Kennedy, Chief Commercial Officer, Material 

  • 3:00 PM - Lamberts Stage Leveraging AI and Innovation to Drive Growth

    AI is evolving on a daily basis. This panel will explore the biggest breakthroughs, challenges and success stories shaping the AI landscape as we move into 2026. Industry leaders will share what is working, what isn’t, and where AI innovation is heading next.

    Amy Labroo, Head of Digital Marketing Consumer & HCP, Nestlé 

    Matthew Duncan, Head of AI, Microsoft

    Raashi Rosenberger, Head of Marketing- Wearables, Meta

    Selina Sykes, VP and Head of Digital Marketing & Social First, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing

    Moderated by: Jeff Hilder, Head of Sales – Central, Quantcast

  • 3:35 PM - Lamberts Stage Fireside Chat

    Kheri Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, Primo Brands

    Moderated by: Kathleen Walter, Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk

  • 4:00 PM - Lamberts Stage From Reach to Relevance: How Cultural Moments Drive Media Impact

    Karen Harris, Senior Vice President Marketing, Tequila and Mezcal, Diageo

    Drew Ingram, US Media Activations Lead, PepsiCo

    Moderated by: Finola Austin, VP, Creative and Client Strategy, Linqia 

  • 4:30 PM - Lamberts Stage Behind the Scenes of a Great Brand Platform and Campaign

    What really goes into a campaign that breaks through? We will unpack the decisions, pivots and challenges that help shape standout campaigns that ensure your creative is meaningful and not just part of the noise.

    Amy Martin Ziegenfuss, Chief Marketing Officer, Carnival Cruise Line

    Moderated by: Erin McCallion, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Perion

Saturday, March 14, 2026

  • 9:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
  • 10:00 AM Opening Remarks

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

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

    Gisela Germano, Chief Content & Community Officer, Brand Innovators

    Pearl Tam, Senior Vice President, Content & Community, Brand Innovators

  • 10:15 AM - Lamberts Stage How Challenger Brands Drive Impact

    Challenger brands are rewriting the rules of growth—outmaneuvering incumbents not with bigger budgets, but with bold brand strategy, faster experimentation, and customer-first innovation. Leaders at top challenger brands reveal the playbook they use to take on established brands in crowded markets.

    Sara Brooks, Chief Growth Officer, BetterHelp

    Lucas Kraft, Founder Wonderbelly, P&G

    Rachel Porges, Chief Innovation & Brand Development Officer, Nom Nom, Mars Petcare

    Ryan Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer, GoodRx

    Moderated by: Kristi Tropp, SVP, Managing Director, Involved Media

  • 11:00 AM - Lamberts Stage Building Challenger Brands People Line Up For

    Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Poppi

    Andy Stone, Chief Marketing Officer, Bluestone

    Kate Ruda, Head of Marketing, Blenders

    Moderated by: Chad Reynolds, CEO & Founder, Vurvey

  • 11:35 AM - Lamberts Stage Purpose-Driven Strategies for Disruptive Brands

    The most resilient brands anchor innovation and growth in a clear, actionable purpose. This panel explores how leaders turn mission into strategy — ensuring purpose shapes product, drives differentiation, and fuels long-term impact rather than just marketing messaging.

    Ben Grossman, President, Saatchi & Saatchi 

    Amanda McArthur, SVP, Client Strategy, Doing Things

    Kathryn McKeon, Chief Marketing Officer, Vital Farms

    Dave Rule, Chief Growth Officer, Mason Dixie Foods

    Moderated by: Jesse Johnson, VP of Marketing, Chili’s

     

  • 12:10 PM - Lamberts Stage From Fragmentation to Integration: Building Media Ecosystems That Drive Action

    How modern brands are shifting from channel buying to connected experiences and performance-driven partnerships

    Ed Wild, VP, Media, Zillow Group

    Moderated by: Liz Asher, Head of Sales, Perion

  • 12:35 PM - Lamberts Stage From Clicks to Community: Building DTC Brands People Belong To

    As acquisition costs rise and performance marketing plateaus, the most resilient DTC brands are investing in community, content, and culture. This panel explores how leading brands move beyond transactions to create emotional loyalty – through owned media, events, ambassadors, and two-way engagement.

    Cyntia Leo, Head of Brand Marketing, Comms and PR, Urban Outfitters

    Meghan Shookman, VP Marketing, Purely Elizabeth

    Jason Ve, President, PAPER

    Moderated By: Anna Clark, Industry Manager – CPG, Reddit

  • 12:30 PM - Malverde Stage How to Win with Brand Partnerships and Influencer Marketing

    Collabs can be magic – or awkward first dates. This panel breaks down how to find the right partners, avoid forced vibes, and create influencer and brand partnerships that feel authentic, exciting, and mutually beneficial. Expect real talk, real examples and a few “we learned this the hard way” moments.

    Elyse Slayton, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Dallas Wings 

    Jessica Williams, Head of Brand Marketing & Partnerships, Shopify 

    Santo Dasaro, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Strategy, Klear Concepts 

    Cherice Williams, Director, Maker’s Mark, Suntory Global Spirits

    Moderated by: Bruce Bundrant, Chief Commercial Officer, rEvolution

  • 1:05 PM - Malverde Stage Marketing at the Speed of Culture

    Social media trends and the news cycle are dictating the conversation these days and savvy brands understand the opportunity of being agile and responding in real time. This session will explore how brands can respond at the speed of culture, offering tips on what works and how to ensure your creative is meaningful and not just part of the noise.

    Camille Walker, Brand Comms & Content Lead, Kenvue

    Sara Mitzner, VP of Brand Marketing, AS Beauty Group

    Sally Barton, Marketing Growth Strategy Director, Mondelez International 

    Flavia Simoes, Senior Director of Multicultural Marketing, PepsiCo 

    Moderated by: Adam Singer, VP of Marketing, AdQuick

  • 1:05 PM - Lamberts Stage Made You Look - Why Bold Marketing Wins in a Sea of Sameness

    Explore how brands are breaking through the noise by taking creative risks that demand attention. From unconventional campaigns to authentic storytelling that defies category norms, this session examines what it takes for marketing leaders to create fearlessly and why playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Panelists share the bold bets that paid off, the internal barriers they had to overcome, and how they’re building cultures that reward creative courage over committee-approved mediocrity

    Curtis Calloway, Director of Brand Marketing, Doritos, PepsiCo

    Bronze Major, Head of Marketing, Carrabba’s Italian Grill

    Aurora Matias, Director, Digital, Freixenet Mionetto USA

    Kim Malek, Co-Founder, CEO, Salt and Straw

    Moderated by: Scott Sutton, CEO, Later

  • 1:40 PM - Lamberts Stage How Legacy Brands Stay Relevant For Generations of the Past, Present, and Future

    Valda Coryat, VP – Marketing Consumer Products & Branded Food Service, McCormick

    Moderated by: Gina Smart, Senior Vice President, Sales, GumGum

  • 1:40 PM - Malverde Stage Building Loyalty in the Attention Economy

    In an era where attention is fleeting and choice is infinite, brands can no longer rely on visibility alone. This panel explores how technology—from AI to data platforms—enables value-centric marketing that earns attention, builds trust, and drives long-term loyalty. Learn how to move beyond short-term engagement to create meaningful, lasting relationships in the attention economy.

    Mario Mijares, VP Marketing, Insights, Loyalty, and Monetization Platforms, 7-Eleven

    Samantha Owen, Director, Digital Marketing, KFC

    Lauren Zarzour, Senior Director of Ecommerce, Howler Brothers

    Iris Diaz, Director, Brand & Marketing, FIFA World Cup 2026

    Moderated by: Brian Quarles, Chief Creative Officer, rEvolution

  • 2:05 PM - Lamberts Stage AI in Marketing: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly - and How to Bring the Human Touch

    Jason Mander, Chief Insights Officer, GWI

    Emma Webley, Director, Marketing Transformation, Accenture

  • 2:15 PM - Malverde Stage From Scroll to Sale: The Business of Social Commerce

    Social platforms have become full-funnel commerce engines—blending content, community, and conversion in real time. We will unpack how social commerce is reshaping buying behavior, brand trust, and revenue models. Learn what’s actually driving ROI today, where brands are over-investing, and how leaders can build scalable, measurable social commerce strategies for the next phase of growth.

    Jasmine Di Duca, Director CRM and Loyalty, Pizza Hut

    Daniel Head, Director, Global eCommerce Marketing, Yeti 

    MacKenzie McCarver, Head of Social and Influencers, Sam’s Club 

    Moderated by: Wendy Wildfeuer, Co-Founder, Motom

  • 2:30 PM - Lamberts Stage Bold by Design: Building Brands That Break Through

    In a crowded market, playing it safe is the fastest way to disappear. This session explores how brands can intentionally design boldness into their strategy—from positioning and voice to experiences that spark emotion and action. Learn how to make smart, strategic bets that turn attention into loyalty.

    Olga Alpeter, Marketing Director, Q-tips & Canada, Elida Beauty

    Crystal Anderson, Chief Strategy Officer, 3Headed Monster

    Raul Ruiz, Chief Marketing Officer, Lenox

    Nate Skinner, Senior Director of Global Brand, Squarespace

    Moderated by: Jaclynn Brennan, Founder and CEO, Creative Duality

  • 2:50 PM - Malverde Stage Disruptive Storytelling: Creating Unforgettable Brand Moments

    Safe is forgettable. This session dives into the art of disruptive storytelling – how brands can take calculated creative risks, embrace a little chaos, and craft moments audiences can’t stop talking about (or sharing).

    Ryan Bares, Global Social Media + Influence, IBM

    Teresa Bossong, Senior Director—Brand, Content & Agency Strategy, Georgia-Pacific

    Haley Neid, Director of Brand Management, Nate’s Honey

    Mikalah Ridling, Director, Social Media and Influencer, H&R Block

    Moderated by: Hilary Shaw, Senior Account Executive, Kargo 

  • 3:05 PM - Lamberts Stage Reimagining your Online Presence: The Opportunity and Urgency of Custom Domains

    Increased brand awareness, standing out from competitors, and being at the forefront of digital innovation are top of mind for many CMOs, CTOs, and brand leaders today. In this session, we’ll explore the opportunity that custom top-level domains present in gaining brand visibility, greater online security, and supporting the customer Experience.

    Benjamin Crawford, CEO and Director, Mark Monitor Group

    Brian King, Vice President, Global Partnerships, RWS

    Moderated by: Chris Mondini, VP, Stakeholder Engagement & Managing Director, Europe, ICANN 

  • 3:25 PM - Malverde Stage Make It Instagrammable: Creating Experiences People Want to Share

    In a crowded attention economy, not all activations are worth photographing. This session explores how brands balance visual impact with authentic storytelling to create experiences that deliver substance, cultural relevance, and long-term brand equity.

    Rachel Lambo, Senior Influencer Manager US. Cetaphil & Differin, Galderma

    Joy Ogunneye, Global Innovation & Brand Comms Lead, Aveeno Body, Kenvue

    Nicole Peterson, Head of Experiential Marketing & National Partnerships, Lexus

    Nicole Taylor,  Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing, Marriott

    Moderated by: Alexandra Debow, Co-Founder, CEO, swsh 

  • 3:30 PM - Lamberts Stage The Attention Metric: How to Get It, How to Keep It & Why It Matters

    Attention is the most valuable currency, in today’s crowded media landscape. But capturing it – and holding it – is more challenging than ever. This panel explores strategies for attracting, retaining and measuring audience attention in meaningful ways.

    Jeff Cucinell, President, Digital Experience, iHeartMedia 

    Amanda Evans, Head of Brand, Insights & Partnerships, Wayfair

    Shane Quinn, VP of Strategy & Planning, GPJ 

    Jennifer Warren, Global Vice President, Brand Marketing and Creative, Indeed 

    Moderated by: Hugh Kim, Director, US Brand Partnerships, WEBTOON

  • 4:05 PM - Malverde Stage Building Experiential Into Core Brand Strategy

    Experiential is no longer a campaign add-on, it’s a foundational brand discipline. This session explores how leading brands are embedding live experiences into long-term strategy, aligning cross-functional teams, and measuring impact beyond impressions. 

    Billy Bohan Chinique, Vice President, Marketing & Digital Innovation, Virgin Voyages 

    Lindsey Camell, Partnerships & Location Based Experiences, North America, Hasbro

    Daniel Rabinovich, Vice President, Brand Partnerships, Barry’s 

    Albert Matheny, CEO, Promix 

    Moderated by: Matt Miller, President, Executive Creative Director, X-FCTR

  • 4:40 PM - Lamberts Stage The Business of Sports Fandom, as told by Reddit x Sensor Tower

    Sports fandom isn’t just cultural. It’s commercial. In this joint session, Reddit and Sensor Tower unpack how always on-sports communities drive real app installs, spend, and category growth across industries and what brands should do about it. If you’re investing in sports, this session will show you where the real commercial impact happens, and how to capture it.

    Jonathan Briskman, Director, Market Insights, Sensor Tower

    Matt Klein, Global Insights, Reddit

     

Sunday, March 15, 2026

  • 9:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
  • 10:00 AM Opening Remarks

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

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

    Gisela Germano, Chief Content & Community Officer, Brand Innovators

    Pearl Tam, Senior Vice President, Content & Community, Brand Innovators

  • 10:15 AM - Lamberts Stage Cracking the Social Commerce Code

    Alex Frias, Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Madden

    Joel Contartese, Head of International Marketing, Bloom Nutrition

    Leah Pitman, Head of PR + Partnerships, Consumer Engagement – Lancôme, L’Oréal

    Moderated by: Angie Smith, CEO, Invison

  • 10:45 AM - Lamberts Stage Storytelling in the Scroll Era 

    The scroll never stops, but great stories still win. Join brand leaders as they discuss how to design content that feels native, culturally relevant, and emotionally resonant in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.

    Katie Riley, AVP Social Media, AT&T

    Tyler Rutstein, SVP of Global Brand and Americas Marketing, Under Armour

    Christie Sclater, SVP Global Marketing, Clinique

    Kameryn Stanhouse, Vice President, Global Sports & Entertainment Partnerships, IBM

    Moderated by: Maria Sipka, Co-Founder and SVP, Linqia

  • 11:20 AM - Lamberts Stage AI Without the Learning Curve: Empowering Marketers to Create More

    Rishabh Dayal, Head of Solution Consulting, B2B Industries, Adobe

    Luis Esteter, Global Senior Director of Marketing Operations, HP

    Fabio Ranieri, Head of GTM Innovation & AI, HP

    Moderated by: Emily Duban, Founding President & CRO, Rad Intel

  • 11:50 AM - Lamberts Stage Inside an Epic Fan Experience: How Survivor 50 Turned Fandom Into a Scalable Marketing Engine

    Michael Benson, President and Chief Marketing Officer, Paramount Television

    Dustin Callif, President, Tool

    Moderated by: Michelle Wright, Vice President, Agency Partnerships, Kargo 

  • 12:00 PM - Malverde Stage Women in Leadership: Rewriting the C-Suite Rules

    As the marketing landscape transforms, so does its leadership—and women are leading that charge with bold vision, emotional intelligence, and boundary-breaking creativity. This panel brings together powerhouse women in senior marketing roles to share how they’ve built their careers, led through change, championed diversity, and navigated the challenges unique to being a woman at the top.

    Kim Chappell, Chief Brand Officer, Bobbie 

    Tiffany Dufu, President of the Tory Burch Foundation 

    Carina Ertl, CMO USA, Bucherer 

    Ani Hadjinian, Co-Founder|CEO, pov.

    Brigette Wolf, Chief Marketing Officer, My/Mochi Ice Cream

    Moderated by: Wendy Lund, Global Chief Executive Officer, Allison Worldwide 

  • 12:20 PM - Lamberts Stage From Nachos to Loyalty: 7-Eleven’s Secret Sauce

    Mario Mijares, VP Marketing, Insights, Loyalty, and Monetization Platforms, 7-Eleven

    Moderated by: Kelly Ravestijn, SVP Strategic Planning & Insights, AMP

  • 12:35 PM - Malverde Stage Women Defining the Next Era of Leadership

    As the marketing landscape transforms, so does its leadership—and women are leading that charge with bold vision, emotional intelligence, and boundary-breaking creativity. This panel brings together powerhouse women in senior marketing roles to share how they’ve built their careers, led through change, championed diversity, and navigated the challenges unique to being a woman at the top.

    Liz Caselli, Chief Communications Officer, Watch Duty

    Jessy Dover, Chief Creative Officer, Founder, Dagne Dover

    Carmen Graf, Global Vice President, Marketing; Advertising, Media & Events, Indeed

    Courtney McHugh, Vice President, Marketing & Sports Marketing, Kendra Scott

    Moderated by: Nicole Guess, Managing Director, Americas, Perion

  • 12:50 PM - Lamberts Stage How Marketers Can Use AI to Innovate and Grow

    AJ Magali, Head of Performance Marketing, Cadillac

    Joseph Saia, Director of Performance Marketing – Chevrolet, General Motors

    Moderated by: Andrew Baker, Founder and CEO, Sesimi

     

  • 1:20 PM - Lamberts Stage From Legacy Icon to Culture Engine: Keeping a 75-Year-Old Brand Fresh

    How does a 75-year-old legacy fast food chain stay relevant to Gen Z? Join Val Kubizniak, Global CMO of KFC, as we explore the transformation from legacy brand to culture engine.

    Valerie Kubizniak, Global Chief Marketing Officer, KFC

    Moderated by: Tom Edwards, Managing Director, Consulting, Ernst & Young LLP

  • 1:10 PM - Malverde Stage Branding in the Age of AI

    As AI transforms marketing, media, and culture, the brands that win will not just move fastest, they will earn the most trust. This session explores how leaders can balance innovation with accountability and design experiences that stay human in an increasingly machine-driven world.

    Helen Lee, Director, Global Brand & Integrated Marketing, McAfee

    Alex Her, Head of Global Employer Brand, GoDaddy

    Courtney Hughes, Director Global Brand Campaigns, Dell

    Jessica Hunter, Global Brand Marketing, AMD

    Moderated by: Tiffany Nels, VP, Corporate Communications and Analyst Relations, Sprinklr

  • 1:50 PM - Lamberts Stage The Acceleration Playbook: How to move from awareness to real behavior change. Electric for All

    Greg Ashlock, President, iHeartMedia Influencer Network

    Margaret Mohr, Director of Communications, Veloz- Electric for All

    Moderated by: Rick Milenthal, Chairman, CEO & Founder, The Shipyard

  • 1:45 PM - Malverde Stage The Long Game: Why AI's Biggest Wins Are Still Ahead

    Liz Bacelar, Global Head of AI and Advanced Analytics, Under Armour

    Moderated by: Andrew Levy, Founder, AdPipe 

  • 2:10PM - Malverde Stage Building Trust in the Age of Intelligent Influence

    AI is reshaping how health information is created, discovered, and trusted — and forward-thinking marketing organizations are reimagining how they show up in that environment. As health decisions are increasingly influenced by real-time, peer-driven conversations, brands have an opportunity to move beyond one-way messaging and become meaningful participants in the communities shaping those choices. This session will explore what it takes to build an AI-first marketing organization that understands and respects the power of today’s health conversations — delivering value to communities, supporting informed decision-making, and ultimately helping change the conversation around health.

    JT Riga, Senior Manager, Media, Sanofi

    Aylin Utke, Head of Consumer Marketing, Dermatology, Sanofi

    Moderated by: Jessica Calef, Industry Director, Health, Reddit

  • 2:20 PM - Lamberts Stage Creating Experiences That Activate Communities

    Wendy Duan, Vice President Marketing, Teremana Tequila

    Ashleigh Edmonds, Head of Marketing, Mac & Cheese, Kraft Heinz

    Cortney Hollinger, VP of Marketing Execution, CLEAN Cause

    Moderated by: Dan Kidd, Brand Partnerships Senior Account Executive, iSpot

  • 2:35 PM - Malverde Stage Scaling Content with AI and the Creator Economy

    Rene Ritchie, Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, YouTube

    Moderated by: Tim Clarke, SVP of Marketing, Later

  • 3:00 PM - Lamberts Stage Building Trust Through Culture, Creativity & Community

    Trust is built by celebrating your community and showing up authentically in the moments that matter most. This session explores how brands move beyond traditional partnerships to create cultural relevance through creators, storytelling, and purpose-driven work. We’ll look at how investing in values-aligned moments can foster emotional connection, reinforce brand belief, and build loyalty that lasts.

    Paul Woolmington, CEO, Canvas WW

    Haelim Paek, Head of Brand Creative Studio, Etsy 

    Heather Larimer, Executive Creative Director, Orchard 

    Moderated by: Lolita Morrow, VP of Brand Partnerships, East, Genius 

  • 3:00 PM - Malverde Stage The AI-First Marketing Organization

    What does it really mean to build a marketing team around AI? As intelligence becomes embedded across platforms and powered by generative tools — marketing is shifting from campaign-based execution to AI-driven orchestration. This panel explores how we must evolve to move from AI-assisted to truly AI-first.

    Billy Bohan Chinique, Vice President, Marketing & Digital Innovation, Virgin Voyages

    Faizan Buzdar, CEO, RollAI

    Angela Gruszka, SVP of Marketing, Charitybuzz

    Matt Hammel, Co-Founder and COO, AirOps

    Moderated by: Fabio Ranieri, Head of GTM Innovation & AI, HP

  • 3:35 PM - Lamberts Stage The Relationship Economy: How CMOs Are Rethinking Influence, Partnerships, and Brand Leadership

    Kimberly Hairston- Hicks, Chief Marketing Officer, Gold Bond – Consumer Healthcare, Sanofi

    Moderated by: Finola Austin, VP, Creative and Client Strategy, Linqia

  • 3:35 PM - Malverde Stage Brand Visibility in AI

    Lindsey Lurie, Global Marketing Executive, IBM

    Suruchi Shukla, Vice President of Marketing, Minted

    Moderated by: Peter Sloterdyk, Chief Marketing Officer, Gist

  • 4:00 PM - Lamberts Stage Building Loyalty Through Emotional Connections

    In an era of endless choice, emotional connection is a brand’s most valuable asset. This session will explore how brands can build emotional resonance to cultivate lasting customer loyalty.

    Samantha Fodrowski, VP, Brand Marketing, Tecovas

    Michael Reynolds, Head of Omnichannel, AstraZeneca

    Allie Wester, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Tito’s Handmade Vodka

    Moderated by: Bobbi Meyer, Brand Partnerships Director, Atmosphere TV

  • 4:35 PM - Lamberts Stage Human Judgment in the Age of AI

    As marketing organizations move from AI experimentation to operationalization, this conversation explores where artificial intelligence accelerates, where it falls short, and why human taste and judgment remain the most powerful competitive advantage in an algorithmic world.

    Paul Woolmington, CEO, Canvas Worldwide

    Moderated by: Christina Zalpa, Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk 

Monday, March 16, 2026

  • 9:00 AM Breakfast & Registration
  • 10:00 AM Opening Remarks

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

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

    Gisela Germano, Chief Content & Community Officer, Brand Innovators

    Pearl Tam, Senior Vice President, Content & Community, Brand Innovators

  • 10:15 AM - Lamberts Stage AI for All: Marketing the Most Human Tech of Our Time

    Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America

    Moderated by: Jason Kunkel-de Cesero, Chief Development Officer, AdQuick 

  • 10:45 AM - Lamberts Stage Building Culturally Resonant Brands That Drive Growth

    In a world where consumers expect brands to be culturally relevant, digitally fluent, and purpose-led, how do marketing leaders drive measurable growth without diluting brand equity? This panel will explore how innovation, storytelling, and data-driven decision-making can power long-term transformation.

    Sheila Shekar Pollak, Chief Marketing Officer, Madison Reed

    Bruno Solari, CEO + Founder, SolComms

    Kim Vaccarella, CEO + Founder, Bogg Bag

    Vanessa Wallace, Chief Marketing Officer, GLD

    Moderated by: Matt Wurst, Chief Marketing Officer, Genuin

  • 11:25 AM- Lamberts Stage How Brands Can Balance Hype and Performance

    Jake Avdiev, Head of Consumer Marketing & Strategy, Amazon Grocery, Amazon

    Justin Kassan, CMO, Honeylove

    Celeste Li, Creative Lead, Marketing, Live Experiences, Netflix

    Jill Lyons, Chief Operations Officer, Maximum Effort

    Moderated by: James Lanyon, EVP of Strategy & Innovation, Material

  • 12:05 PM - Lamberts Stage The New ROI: Navigating the Convergence of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Reputation

    In today’s hyper-connected corporate landscape, the lines between marketing, communications, and reputation are disappearing. Every campaign is a statement of values, every brand action a reflection of corporate integrity and strategy, and stakeholders are paying attention. As consumer trust becomes the ultimate currency, organizations are rethinking how they align creative storytelling, corporate behavior, and business outcomes.

    Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America

    Chris Manzini, Global Head of Communications, PepsiCo

    Chris Foster, CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group

  • 12:40 PM - Lamberts Stage From Product to Platform: Powering Creative Communities

    Musicians, filmmakers, designers have been using Dropbox to make and share work for years. There’s a real story here about a product that enables creative communities. How does a brand lean into that authentically? What does it look like to activate around artist moments (like an album launch) in a way that feels true to the community?

    Liz Armistead, Head of Brand Marketing + Creative Campaigns, Dropbox

    Taryn Crouthers, CEO, Big Spaceship

    Moderated by: Ahu Terzi, VP Business Development, 1021 Creative 

  • 1:15 PM- Lamberts Stage Designing for Real Life, Not Just Aspirational Life

    Kate Rush Sheehy, SVP, Strategy + Insights, GSD&M

    Melissa Peace, Director, Brand Marketing, Expedia Group

    Moderated by: James Arcieri, Head of Strategic Retail Accounts, Google

Speakers

Craig Allen

Founder & Chief Creative Officer, CALLEN

Olga Alpeter

Marketing Director, Q-tips & Canada, Elida Beauty

Crystal Anderson

Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, 3Headed Monster

Liz Armistead

Head of Brand Marketing + Creative Campaigns, Dropbox

Sally Barton

Marketing Growth Strategy Director, Mondelez International

Michael Benson

President and Chief Marketing Officer, Paramount Television

Teresa Bossong

Senior Director—Brand, Content & Agency Strategy, Georgia-Pacific

Marnie Boyer

Chief Marketing Officer, MyFitnessPal

Jonathan Briskman

Director, Market Insights, Sensor Tower

Dustin Callif

President, Tool

Liz Caselli-Mechael

Chief Communications Officer, Watch Duty

Erin Cast

Global Brand President, Laura Mercier, Bare Minerals and Buxom

Ben Checketts

Co-Founder & Creative Director, Rhone

Michelle Chester

Head of Brand Strategy & Experience, General Mills

Anna Clark

Industry Manager, CPG at Reddit

Taryn Crouthers

CEO, Big Spaceship

Jeff Cucinell

President, Digital Experience, iHeartMedia

Max Cutler

Founder & CEO, PAVE Studios

Ian Dallimore

Vice President of Digital Growth, Lamar Advertising Company

Tiffany Dufu

President, Tory Burch Foundation

Matthew Duncan

Head of AI, Microsoft

Chris Epple

Vice President Marketing; Consumer Audio, Harman International

Luis Esteter

Global Senior Director - Head of Marketing Operations, HP Inc

Samantha Fodrowski

VP, Brand Marketing, Tecovas

Luis Garcia

Chief Marketing Officer, Naterra International Inc.

Dan Granger

CEO, Oxford Road

Ben Grossman

President, Saatchi & Saatchi

Cheryl Guerin

EVP Global Brand Strategy and Innovation, Mastercard

Kimberly Hairston-Hicks

Chief Marketing Officer, Gold Bond - Consumer Healthcare, Sanofi

Daniel Head

Director, Global eCommerce Marketing, Yeti

Jeff Hilder

Central Lead, Quantcast

Drew Ingram

US Media Activations Lead, PepsiCo

Zack Jerome

Vice President, Brand and Marketing Strategy, Disney+

Jesse Johnson

VP of Marketing, Chili’s

Caroline Kennedy

Chief Commercial Officer, Material

‍Matt Klein

Head of Global Foresight, Reddit

Valerie Kubizniak

Global Chief Marketing Officer, KFC

Amy Labroo

Head of Digital Marketing Consumer & HCP, Nestle

Marie Langhout-Franklin

VP, Marketing (Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack), Nordstrom

Heather Larimer

Executive Creative Director, Orchard

Andrew Levy

Andrew Levy, co-founder and CEO, AdPipe

Whitney Magnuson

Head of Brand and Media, Zoom

Bronze Major

Head of Marketing, Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Jason Mander

Chief Insights Officer, GWI

Darryl Mascarenhas

Head of Brand Creative, Devices Brand Services (DBS), Amazon

Erin McCallion

Chief Marketing Officer, Perion

MacKenzie McCarver

Head of Social and Influencers, Sam’s Club

Courtney McHugh

Vice President, Marketing & Sports Marketing, Kendra Scott

Kathryn McKeon

Chief Marketing Officer, Vital Farms

Sara Mitzner

Vice President of Global Marketing, AS Beauty

Caitlin Nugent

VP, Performance Agency Lead, Audacy

Samantha Owen

Director, Digital Marketing, KFC

Haelim Paek

Executive Creative Director, Head of Brand Creative Studio, Etsy

Rachel Porges

Chief Innovation & Brand Development Officer, Nom Nom, Mars Petcare

Brian Quarles

Chief Creative Officer, rEvolution

Fabio Ranieri

Head of GTM Innovation & AI, HP

Kelly Ravestijn

SVP Strategic Planning & Insights, AMP

Haley Neid

Director of Brand Management, Nate’s Honey

Leah Reis-Dennis

Head of Podcasts, Audacy

Michael Reynolds

Head of Omnichannel, AstraZeneca

Rosie Reynolds

Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk

Mikalah Ridling

Director, Social Media and Influencer, H&R Block

Madeleine Ringwood

Director of Partnerships, Pre

Lisa Rosenberg

Global President, Consumer Brands, Allison Worldwide

Raul Ruiz

Chief Marketing Officer, Lenox

Kate Rush Sheehy

SVP, Strategy + Insights, GSD&M

Melissa Sarah Peace

Director, Brand Marketing, Expedia Group

Kevin Shapiro

Head of U.S. Neutrogena Brand Growth, Kenvue

Meghan Shookman

Vice President of Marketing, Purely Elizabeth

Flavia Simoes

Senior Director of Multicultural Marketing, PepsiCo

Nate Skinner

Senior Director of Global Brand, Squarespace

Elyse Slayton

SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Dallas Wings

Angie Smith

CEO, Invision

Peter Sloterdyk

Chief Marketing Officer, Gist

Talia Solomon

Interim Head of Brand, Kindle Scribe, Amazon

Allison Stransky

Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America

Scott Sutton

CEO, Later

Erica Tam

VP of Brand, Bloom Nutrition

Kristi Tropp

SVP, Managing Director, Involved Media

Liz Vanzura

Chief Marketing Officer, Solo Brands

Camille Walker

Brand Comms and Content Lead- Neutrogena, Kenvue

Emma Webley

Director, Marketing Transformation, Accenture

Allie Wester

Vice President, Brand Marketing, Tito's Handmade Vodka

Jessica Williams

Head of Brand Marketing and Partnerships, Shopify

Brigette Wolf

Chief Marketing Officer, My/Mochi Ice Cream

Katelyn Zborowski

Head of Brand Strategy & Integrated Marketing, Pizza Hut

Katka Renckens

Head of Marketing, Rituals

Celia Tombalakian

Global Vice President & Head of Brand, bareMinerals

Nicole Kirsch

Management Director, Media, Team One

Jaime Cawyer

Digital Senior Strategist, Lexus

Kathy Maurella

Chief Marketing Officer, Waterloo Sparkling Water

Heather Stuckey

VP, Transformation & Integration, North America, Mars

Raashi Rosenberger

Head of Marketing- Wearables, Meta

Selina Sykes

VP and Head of Digital Marketing & Social First, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing

Kheri Tillman

Chief Marketing Officer, Primo Brands

Lucas Kraft

Founder Wonderbelly, P&G

Dave Rule

Chief Growth Officer, Mason Dixie Foods

Bob Mott

Sr. Director of Strategic Finance & GM of Media, Huckberry

Cyntia Leo

Head of Brand Marketing, Comms and PR, Urban Outfitters

Jason Ve

President, PAPER

Curtis Calloway

Director of Brand Marketing, Doritos, PepsiCo

Benjamin Crawford

CEO and Director, Mark Monitor Group

Valda Coryat

VP - Marketing Consumer Products & Branded Food Service, McCormick

Amanda Evans

Head of Brand, Insights & Partnerships, Wayfair

Jennifer Warren

Global Vice President, Brand Marketing and Creative, Indeed

Lindsay Amodio

Vice President, Account Management, Sensor Tower

Cherice Williams

Director of Maker's Mark, Advocacy & Private Selection, Suntory Global Spirits

Santo Dasaro

Vice President of Brand Marketing and Strategy, Klear Concepts

Iris Diaz

Director, Brand & Marketing, FIFA World Cup 2026

Lauren Zarzour

Senior Director of Ecommerce, Howler Bros

Costa Angelakis

Senior Affiliate Marketing Manager, Chewy

Ryan Bares

Global Social Influencer Marketing Manager, IBM

Rachel Lambo

Senior Influencer Manager, Cetaphil and Differin, Galderma

Joy Doyin Ogunneye

Global Innovation & Brand Comms Lead, Aveeno Body, Kenvue

Nicole Taylor

Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing, Marriott

Nicole Peterson

Head of Experiential Marketing & National Partnerships, Lexus

Albert Matheny

CEO, Promix

Daniel Rabinovich

VP, Brand Partnerships, Barry’s

Billy Bohan Chinique

Vice President, Marketing and Digital Innovation, Virgin Voyages

Lindsey Camell

Head of Partnerships & Location-Based Experiences- North America, Hasbro

Alex Frias

Chief Marketing Officer, Steve Madden

Katie Riley

AVP Social Media, AT&T

Kameryn Stanhouse

Vice President, Global Sports & Entertainment Partnerships, IBM

Christie Sclater

SVP Global Marketing, Clinique

AJ Magali

Head of Performance Marketing, Cadillac

Joseph Saia

Director of Performance Marketing - Chevrolet, General Motors

Paul Woolmington

Chief Executive Officer, Canvas Worldwide

Kim Chappell

Chief Brand Officer, Bobbie

Ani Hadjinian

Co-founder + CEO, POV Beauty

Carina Ertl

Chief Marketing Officer, Bucherer USA

Carmen Graf

Global Vice President, Marketing; Advertising, Media & Events, Indeed

Jessy Dover

Chief Creative Officer, Founder, Dagne Dover

Jessica Hunter

Global Brand Marketing, AMD

Alex Her

Head of Global Employer Brand, GoDaddy

Helen Lee

Director, Global Brand & Integrated Marketing, McAfee

Rishabh Dayal

Head of Solutions Consulting, B2B Industries, Adobe

Wendy Duan

VP Marketing, Teremana Tequila

Bruno Solari

Founder, SolComms

Sara Brooks

Chief Growth Officer, BetterHelp

Rene Ritchie

Head of Editorial & Creator Liaison, YouTube

JT Riga

Senior Manager, Media, Sanofi

Aylin Utke

Head of Consumer Marketing, Dermatology, Sanofi

Angela Gruszka

SVP Marketing, Charity Buzz

Suruchi Shukla

Head of Marketing, Minted

Faizan Buzdar

CEO & Co-Founder, Roll AI

Matt Hammel

Co-Founder and COO, AirOps

Jake Avdiev

Head of Consumer Marketing & Strategy, Amazon Grocery

Jason Kunkel-de Cesero

Vice President, Demand & Analytics Partnerships, AdQuick

Wendy Lund

Global Chief Executive Officer, Allison Worldwide

Jessica Calef

Industry Director, Health, Reddit

Rick Milenthal

Chief Executive Officer, The Shipyard

Lolita Morrow

Vice President, Brand Partnerships, Genius

Bobbi Meyer

Director of Brand Partnerships, Atmosphere TV

Wendy Wildfeur

Co-Founder, Motom

Matt Miller

President, Executive Creative Director, X-FCTR

Gina Smart

SVP, Sales - West & Central, GumGum

Chris Mondini

VP, Stakeholder Engagement & Managing Director, Europe, ICANN

Hugh Kim

Director, US Brand Partnerships, WEBTOON

Ken Lagana

Global Chief Revenue Officer, Media.net

Katie Hegarty

Sales Lead, Lyft Ads

Lance Wolder

Head of Client Strategy & Marketing, PadSquad

Lizzie Black

Vice President, National Sales, Kargo

Sam Saez

Vice President, Enterprise Sales, Bazaarvoice

James Arcieri

Global Account Exec - Starbucks, Google Cloud, Google

John Taranto

Advisor, media.net

Matt Wurst

CMO, Co-Founder, MINT

Dr. Marcus Collins

Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Karen Harris

Senior Vice President Marketing, Tequila and Mezcal, Diageo

Nanette Tran-Conerly

Account Director, Experiential, Team One

James Lanyon

EVP of Strategy & Innovation, Material

Andy Stone

Chief Marketing Officer, Bluestone

Amanda McArthur

SVP, Client Strategy, Doing Things

Ed Wild

Vice President, Media, Zillow

Aurora Matias

Director, Digital, Freixenet Mionetto USA

Tyler Rutstein

SVP of Global Brand and Americas Marketing, Under Armour

Ashleigh Edmonds

Director Marketing & Strategy - Mac and Cheese, Kraft Heinz

Margaret Mohr

Director of Communications, Veloz- Electric for All

Courtney Hughes

Director Global Brand Campaigns, Dell

Kim Vaccarella

CEO + Founder, Bogg Bag

Sheila Shekar Pollak

Chief Marketing Officer, Madison Reed

Vanessa Wallace

Chief Marketing Officer, GLD

Chris Manzini

Global Head of Communications, PepsiCo

Chris Foster

CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group,

Tony Song

Head of Network & Advanced TV Sales, Scripps

Tiffany Nels

VP, Corporate Communications and Analyst Relations, Sprinklr

Christina Zalpa

Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk

Ben Fielder

Head of Enterprise Sales, West Coast, StackAdapt

Michelle Wright

Vice President, Agency Partnerships, Kargo

Andrew Baker

Founder and CEO, Sesimi

Maria Sipka

Co-founder, EVP, Linqia

Alexandra Debow

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, swsh

Adam Singer

VP of Marketing, AdQuick

Jaclynn Brennan

CEO & Founder of Creative Duality, Co-Founder of Ayana Foundation, Creative Duality

Ahu Terzi

Vice President of Business Development, 1021 Creative

Lindsey Lurie

Growth Marketing Leader, IBM

Hilary Shaw

Senior Account Executive

Sofia Colucci

Chief Marketing Officer, Molson Coors

Amy Martin Ziegenfuss

Chief Marketing Officer, Carnival Cruise Lines

Kate Ruda

Head of Marketing, Blenders

Kim Malek

Co-Founder, CEO, Salt and Straw

Brian King

Vice President, Global Partnerships, RWS

Joel Contartese

Head of International Growth & TikTok Shop, Bloom Nutrition

Leah Pitman

Head of PR + Partnerships, Consumer Engagement - Lancôme, L’Oréal

Cortney Hollinger

VP of Marketing Execution, CLEAN Cause

Kimberly Francella-Faver

SVP of Brand Partnerships, NBCUniversal

Liz Bacelar

Global Head of AI + Advanced Analytics, Under Armour

Jill Lyons

Chief Operations Officer, Maximum Effort

Justin Kassan

CMO, Honeylove

Kathleen Walter

Senior Director, Business Development, The Trade Desk

Finola Austin

VP Creative & Client Startegy, Linqia

Chad Reynolds

Founder & CEO, Vurvey

Liz Asher

Head of Sales, Perion

Emily Duban

Founding President & CRO Rad Intel

John Dubois

EY Americas AI Strategy Leader, Consulting, Ernst & Young LLP

Dan Kidd

Brand Partnerships Senior Account Executive, iSpot

Tim Clarke

SVP of Marketing, Later

Celeste Li

Creative Lead, Marketing, Experiences, Netflix

Natalie Lennox Medina

Strategic Brand Advisor

Title

Marquee

Presenting

Supporting

Venue

Lamberts Restaurant
401 W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

&

La Condesa
400A W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

Register