Variety Entertainment Marketing Summit

The Main Event – Best of Experiential, Live, and Event Marketing

Tim Clark - Chief Brand Officer, NASCAR
James Finn - Global Head of Brand, Audible
Kathryn Kai-Ling - Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles Rams
Amy Durini - Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Taco Bell International

In a noisier than ever media environment, marketers are pulling out all the stops to break through to today’s audiences and consumers. Increasingly, event and experiential marketing is the answer to make the right splash, spanning in-person and digital moments. Event marketing leaders across entertainment, sports and consumer brands share their strategies for success.

Conversation with Supermodel Ashley Graham and Natasha Bolouki, Partner and Agent, UTA

Ashley Graham - Supermodel & Founder, Lucci Lambrusco
Natasha Bolouki - Partner & Agent, UTA

Hear how Ashley Graham collaborates with partners such as UTA on brand deals and fan engagement.

Keynote Conversation with Oliver Schusser, VP Apple Music and International Content

Oliver Schusser - VP, Apple Music & International Content

Hear Apple Music’s vision for connecting with audiences, hot off its wildly popular Bad Bunny Superbowl Halftime Show.

In the Director’s Chair: Brand Storytelling Masters

Margaret Walker - EVP, Entertainment Marketing, NBCUniversal
Nicole Parlapiano - Chief Marketing Officer, Tubi
Claudine Cheever - Chief Marketing Officer, Pinterest
Jasmine Taylor - VP, Brand Marketing, Instacart

When ads are often clicked away, brands are embracing storytelling to capture audience attention. How might the growth of media platforms help brands creatively break through across varied demographics? Who are the leaders in brand storytelling across formats?

Breakthrough Brands – Innovating through AI

Brian Borkowski - Chief Marketing Officer, Fox Direct-to-Consumer
Jim Squires - Chief Marketing Officer, Reddit
Jill Steinhauser - Group SVP, Platform Monetization & Partnerships, Warner Bros. Discovery
Gina Igwe - VP, Brand & Consumer Marketing, DoorDash
Sharhzad Rafati - CEO, RHEI

An exploration of how marketers are integrating AI into their operations in ways that today’s audiences will embrace. What is the balance of improving efficiencies with AI while maintaining an artistic/no slop feel in campaigns? How might AI enable new heights for human ingenuity in advertising and marketing?

Hollywood New Leaders – Best of Creator Marketing

Alana Dolgin - President, Digital Marketing, Atlantic Music Group & President, Homemade Projects
Rose Phillips - EVP, Global Digital and Social Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Jason Eskin - SVP, Digital Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios

Creators and social platforms are powerful marketing tools for entertainment and consumer brands. But as audiences are becoming increasingly savvier in avoiding advertising, what actually connects? Should brands focus on long-term relevance rather than short-term virality? How do we define success in today’s creator economy? Marketing leaders and more share the stories behind what’s working now.

Keynote Conversation with Tina Knowles

Tina Knowles - American businesswoman, fashion designer, art collector, philanthropist, and activist

Tina Knowles, the visionary businesswoman, fashion designer, art collector, philanthropist and activist, will delve into her best-selling memoir "Matriarch" and discuss her influential work with Parkwood Entertainment, Cécred, BeyGOOD and more.

Building the Brand-Verse – Success with Franchises

Josh Silverman - President, Global Products & Experiences
Sean Booker - Head of Media and Entertainment, VIZIO
Kayleen Walters - Head of Mojang Studios and Franchise Development for Gaming, Microsoft
Karen Barragan - Chief Marketing Officer, Blumhouse-Atomic Monster

An exploration into best strategies for bringing beloved characters and storylines to new audience touch points, spanning sequels, podcasts, video games, spin-offs, digital content, merchandise, themed attractions and more. When is the right time to expand and in what format?

Keynote Roundtable: President’s Roundtable

Dwight Caines - President, Domestic Marketing, Universal Pictures
Josh Goldstine - President, Global Marketing & Distribution, Paramount
Shauna Spenley - Global Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Streaming
Blair Rich - CMO, Legendary Entertainment

A dive into the strategies behind the industry’s top entertainment marketers. What is the best way to launch new films and TV series? What does it take to develop compelling campaigns? The best of the business converge to share their stories.

Keynote Conversation with Pam Abdy, Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Pam Abdy - Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Pictures Group

Abdy will speak to Warner Bros.’ exceptional year in storytelling, in which two titles garnered nominations for Best Film, One Battle After Another and Sinners.

Entertainment Entrepreneurs Tell All

Bobby Berk - Emmy-winning Design Expert & Television Host
Harry Jowsey - Television Personality, Host & Entrepreneur
Shareef O'Neal - Influencer / Creative Director, Shaq Brand

Building a brand today takes more than a great idea—it takes audience trust, timing and adaptability. Entrepreneurs break down how they build a brand from the ground up, scaled their platforms and activated existing followings to fuel new creative and business opportunities.

Sponsorship Inquiries	Registration & Group Attendance Options	Programming Inquiries
Michelle Fine-Smith	Sabrina Lee	Susanne Ault
michelle.fine-smith@variety.com	shlee@variety.com	susanne.ault@variety.com

Where Entertainment, Brand Strategy & Culture Converge

Agenda

The Main Event – Best of Experiential, Live, and Event Marketing

Tim Clark - Chief Brand Officer, NASCARJames Finn - Global Head of Brand, AudibleKathryn Kai-Ling - Chief Marketing Officer, Los Angeles RamsAmy Durini - Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Taco Bell International

Conversation with Supermodel Ashley Graham and Natasha Bolouki, Partner and Agent, UTA

Ashley Graham - Supermodel & Founder, Lucci LambruscoNatasha Bolouki - Partner & Agent, UTA

Keynote Conversation with Oliver Schusser, VP Apple Music and International Content

Oliver Schusser - VP, Apple Music & International Content

In the Director’s Chair: Brand Storytelling Masters

Margaret Walker - EVP, Entertainment Marketing, NBCUniversalNicole Parlapiano - Chief Marketing Officer, TubiClaudine Cheever - Chief Marketing Officer, PinterestJasmine Taylor - VP, Brand Marketing, Instacart

Breakthrough Brands – Innovating through AI

Brian Borkowski - Chief Marketing Officer, Fox Direct-to-ConsumerJim Squires - Chief Marketing Officer, RedditJill Steinhauser - Group SVP, Platform Monetization & Partnerships, Warner Bros. DiscoveryGina Igwe - VP, Brand & Consumer Marketing, DoorDashSharhzad Rafati - CEO, RHEI

Hollywood New Leaders – Best of Creator Marketing

Alana Dolgin - President, Digital Marketing, Atlantic Music Group & President, Homemade ProjectsRose Phillips - EVP, Global Digital and Social Marketing, Sony Pictures EntertainmentJason Eskin - SVP, Digital Marketing, The Walt Disney Studios