Consumer Connection Summit

Thursday, November 6, 2025

• 8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration Opens
• 9:30 AM Opening Remarks

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

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

  Justin Parnell, Senior Vice President Marketing & Insights, Mondelez International

• 9:40am The Future of Consumer Connection: Mondelez’s Vision for Modern Marketing

  Mondelez kicks off an amazing day diving into how they are evolving their marketing strategies to stay ahead of shifting consumer behavior. Leveraging their Center of Excellence, they’re driving growth through data and precision marketing, modernizing how they connect with consumers, jumping into cultural moments, and embracing creator marketing to fuel the next era of brand storytelling.

  Koen Burghouts, President Sweet Snacking, Mondelēz

  Moderated By: Scott Waxenberg, SVP Sales, East Coast, Innovid

• 10:05 AM Culture Shock: Staying Relevant in a Fast-Moving World

  Culture moves fast — and consumers expect brands to keep up. This session looks at how marketers tap into entertainment, movements, and social shifts to stay relevant.

  Neahle Jones, VP, US Consumer Engagement, Consumer Products Division, L’Oréal

  Moderated by: Derek Hester, Category Manager, CPG | Large Customer Solutions, Snap

• 10:35 AM How Cultural Signals are Redefining the Future of Consumer Connection

  Jesse, Forman, SVP, Partnerships, Suzy

• 10:45 AM Networking Break
• 11:05 AM Money, Meaning & Gen Z: Building the Future of Finance

  From shifting shopping habits to changing cultural priorities, today’s trends are tomorrow’s playbook. Marketing leaders share the forces shaping the consumer mindset in the year ahead.

  Morgan Smith, Voice of the Next Gen Consumer Strategy Lead, J.P. Morgan Chase

  Moderated by: Kate Hofstra, Head of Content Strategy, Havas CX

• 11:25 AM Keynote: How Carl's Jr. and Alix Earle Revived a Bold Brand Voice

  Maripaz Romero, Vice President Brand Marketing – Carl’s Jr., CKE Restaurants, Inc

• 11:45 AM Fireside Chat: How Carl's Jr. and Alix Earle Revived a Bold Brand Voice

  Maripaz Romero, Vice President Brand Marketing – Carl’s Jr., CKE Restaurants, Inc

  Moderated by: Andrew Miller, Chief Growth Officer, BeenThereDoneThat

• 12:05 PM Lunch
• 1:00 PM The Creator Effect: Powering Connection Through Influence

  Creators and influencers have become central to how brands reach, engage, and earn trust. This discussion dives into building lasting, authentic partnerships that drive results.

  Tara Brannigan, Senior Director, Cross Brand Marketing, Hilton

  Palmer Curdts, Senior Director- Hu and Enjoy Life, Mondelēz International

  Sierra Ripoly, Head of Integrated Communications, Flamingo, Mammoth Brands

  Moderated by: Chris Mathieu, Senior Director, Partnerships, Wattpad

• 1:30 PM AI on the Journey: Smarter Paths to Consumer Connection

  AI is rewriting the consumer journey — from insights to creative to commerce. Hear how marketing leaders are leveraging intelligence to deliver more meaningful interactions.

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

  Moderated by: Jesse Forman, SVP, Partnerships, Suzy

• 2:00 PM Networking Break
• 2:15 PM Building the Marketing Organization of the Future

  Marketing is evolving faster than ever, and building the right team is critical to staying ahead. This conversation explores how leading brands are rethinking team structures, developing new capabilities, and building differently to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. From precision marketing to creative agility, we’ll dive into what it takes to future-proof modern marketing organizations.

  Dan Cornell, VP of Communications & Activation Planning, Blue Chip

  Kelly McKay, Head of CPG and Affiliate Sales , Krazy Coupon Lady

  Moderated by: Sally Barton, Marketing Excellence Lead, Mondelēz International

• 2:45 PM Mondelez x Dr. Marcus Collins CHOPPED Challenge

  A fast-paced, Chopped-inspired team challenge where attendees break into groups to create and pitch snack concepts using Mondelez brands – celebrating creativity, storytelling, and fun competition.

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

  Kevin Croen, North American Commercialization Lead – Gum at Mondelēz International 

  Allison Fine, Senior Associate Innovation Brand Manager – Ritz Crackers at Mondelez International 

   

• 3:30 PM Culture as Currency: Earning Relevance with Today’s Consumers

  In a world where culture shapes identity and influences buying decisions, brands that can authentically engage with social shifts, entertainment, and emerging movements gain a competitive edge. This session unpacks how marketers translate cultural awareness into lasting consumer connection.

  Shamira Faruqui Amin, Senior Brand Manager, Skrewball, Pernod Ricard

  Jenn Weber Krane, Brand Manager, Ritz, Mondelēz International

  Mary Cooper, Consumer & Market Insights Lead, Mammoth Brands

  Moderated by: Heather Ripp, Sales Director, CPG, SiriusXM Media

• 4:00 PM Beyond Loyalty: Turning Customers into Superfans

  The best connection isn’t just awareness — it’s advocacy. Learn how brands are inspiring not only repeat purchases, but passionate consumers who spread the word.

  Diya Basu, Director of Digital, Content, & Influencer Marketing, American Dairy Association

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

  Nick Speaker, Senior Paid Media Specialist, Prudential

  Moderated by: Tom Donohue, Head of Strategy, Been There Done That (BTDT) Global

• 4:30 PM OREO Fandom & Culture: When Cookies Meet Creators

  OREO isn’t just making cookies – it’s making moments. From Post Malone’s “Taste Twist” to a Selena Gomez collab made for the Selenators and the ultimate mashup with Reese’s, the brand is turning fan love into cultural magic and flavor-filled storytelling.

  Caitlin Bolmarcich, Brand Manager, OREO, Mondelēz International

  Nicole Fischer, Director, Ritz, Mondelēz International

  Mindy Stone, Director, Omnichannel Activation and Strategy, Mondelēz International

  Meghan Swatt, Senior Manager, Licensing, Mondelēz International

  Moderated by: Taylor Nisi, Client Partner, Snap

• 5:00 PM Wrap & Happy Hour