8:00am

Breakfast

8:45am

Opening Remarks

Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder, Brand Innovators
Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder, Brand Innovators
David Teicher, Chief Content Officer, Brand Innovators

Host: Ted Rubin, Acting CMO, Brand Innovators, Social Marketing Strategist, Brand Evangelist and author of Return on Relationship

9:00am

Marketing to Millennials: The X Factor

Courting and marketing to Millennials, or consumers born after 1982, is not only important, but crucial to your brand’s long-term success. Millennials are the fastest growing generation on the planet and they will soon be the most influential. Over the next five years, retail industry analysts predict that these young consumers will have more purchasing power than any other generation. At the same time, they are still forming their opinions about different brands and determining brand loyalty and preferences. Finally, Millennials represent the first generation of digital “natives” or individuals who have grown up on the Internet and mobile devices. Understanding how and when and on what platform to reach these consumers has become a science in and of itself. It is essential that brands leverage all of the digital tools available them — including digital video advertising, mobile, social media, and content marketing — to build relationships with Gen Y and Gen X. Take a deep dive into all of the challenges and opportunities inherent in marketing to your next generation of consumers.

Moderator: Jeff Merkel, VP Sales, CrowdTwist

Brian Bork, Vice President – Brand Strategy, Digital & Loyalty Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, Capital One
Amanda Kitzer, Associate Brand Manager, Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Genevieve Mazzeo, Integrated Marketing Leader, TreeHouse Foods

9:35am

Keynote

Abhisheck Jadon, Senior Manager – Digital Strategy, PepsiCo – Gatorade

9:55am

Fireside Chat

Abhisheck Jadon, Senior Manager – Digital Strategy, PepsiCo – Gatorade

Q&A conducted by: Gabriel Celis, Vice President, Client Services, Dstillery

10:15am

Tapping Into Mobile: Content, Commerce, and Data

The “on demand” generation opts out of everything except their mobile devices, where marketers must earn the attention of audiences by using the unique properties of mobile technology and data to create more highly focused and engaging experiences. Exploring the intersection of content, video and commerce, this session will delve into the myriad ways marketers can create richer, more personalized and meaningful mobile experiences that engage the consumer and ultimately impact the bottom line.

Moderator: Ted Rubin, Acting CMO, Brand Innovators, Social Marketing Strategist, Brand Evangelist and author of Return on Relationship

Kerchanin Allen, Social Media Specialist, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas
Brady Loomis, Marketing Specialist, Franklin Energy Services, LLC
Eric Ziegenhagen, Director of Digital Engagement, Aparium Hotel Group

10:50am

Networking Break

11:10am

Fireside Chat

Kyle Trompeter, Digital Content Specialist, Breakthru Beverage Group

Q&A conducted by: John Andrews, Co-Founder & President, Prevailing Path

11:25am

POV

Jack Hallahan, Senior Vice President Brand & Media Partnerships, Celtra

11:45am

Keynote

Luka Dukich, Digital Content & Social Media Manager, Chicago Bulls

12:10pm

Fireside Chat

Luka Dukich, Digital Content & Social Media Manager, Chicago Bulls

Q&A conducted by: Dee Fabbricatore, Managing Editor, Dose

12:30pm

Lunch

1:30pm

Keynote – The Rise of Gen Z – Marketing’s Next Challenge

Hana Ben-Shabat, Partner, Retail and Consumer Goods Practice, A.T. Kearney

One of the most significant changes to take place over the next decade is the coming of age of Generation Z, those born starting in 1998. Between now and 2034, 4 to 5 million Generation Z’ers will come of age every year to a total of 82 million, making them America’s largest generation ever. Gen Z is a unique generation. Shaped by distinct social, economic and technological trends, they display different attitudes towards society, education, family, money and consumption. This has profound implications for brands. In this session, we will discuss the key characteristics of Generation Z, what life experiences shape their attitudes and values, how they use technology, learn, interact with their peers and society, and what it might take for brands to be able to engage them.

2:00pm

How Millennials Shop: Exploring New Habits in Mobile, Commerce, and Retail

Nearly 80 percent of millennials own a smartphone, yet 63 percent of them don’t have a credit
card. The first mobile generation is upending everything we know about shopper behavior, as they use their devices to shop smarter, faster and cheaper. This session will explore trends related to how millennials shop, including mobile wallets, mobile advertising options and how innovative retailers are changing the paradigm by embracing them in creative ways throughout the ecosystem where they spend no less than half of their time online.

Moderator: John Andrews, Co-Founder & President, Prevailing Path

Andrea Chan-Diliberto, Director of Customer Acquisition, Peapod
Thomas Hahn, Sales & Marketing eCommerce Coordinator, Crane USA
Christina Rodriguez, Social Media Strategist, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas
Ethelbert Williams, Chief Marketing Officer, InstaNatural

2:40pm

Fireside Chat – Social Media Content and Engagement, Globally and Locally

Elly Deutch, Global Social Engagement Campaign & Advocacy Manager, McDonald’s Corporation

Q&A conducted by: Katie Burns, Midwest Sales Director, Adsmovil

3:15pm

It’s a Wrap!

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