2024 Agenda
Tuesday, June 11
8:30 AM
Workshop Hosted by Navigate
Invitation Only– space is limited Join Navigate for an invitation-only workshop designed specifically for brand marketers. Dedicated to uncovering current trends in sports and entertainment, participants will walk away from this workshop with concrete strategies to amplify their brand's visibility along with clear parameters for measuring partnership success.
Breakfast, Welcome & Introductions
9:30 AM
Main Session: Evaluating Your Brand Portfolio Hosted by Navigate Invitation Only
Lead by:
- Jordan Bloem, Co-Head, Consulting, Navigate
This session is designed to empower attendees with strategies for optimizing their partnership portfolios. A framework will be introduced, guiding participants on considering key markets, target audiences, and more.
Topics Include:
- Partnership portfolio optimization
- Value of investing in sports and entertainment
10:00 AM
Break
10:30 AM
2026 FIFA World Cup – Set Your Strategy Hosted by Navigate
Invitation Only
Lead by:
- Kevin Kane, Senior Director, Consulting, Navigate
- Jeff Nelson, President, Navigate
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, this session will delve into how brands can effectively prepare for the world's largest sporting event.
Topics Include:
- Review of the sponsorship levels, plus a skeleton of everything your brand should be considering
- How to prepare for the World Cup
- Ways to take advantage without spending millions
11:00 AM
Sleep Like a Baby Hosted by Navigate Invitation Only
Lead by:
- Anne Ristau, Co-Head, Consulting, Navigate
What are the topics that are keeping sponsorship teams up at night? In this unique, attendee-driven session, we will cover a range of external and internal dynamics that make sponsorship marketing a challenge. You’ll come away with actionable strategies to help you sleep more easily at night!
Topics Include:
- Driving breakthrough in an increasingly fragmented media & rightsholder landscape
- Engaging next generation audiences, without losing your existing customers
- Measuring true sponsorship ROI
- Managing the demands of internal stakeholders
11:30 AM
BIS CONNECT LUNCH Hosted by Athletes Unlimited
(For the first 250 registrants)
BIS Connect is an organized, thoughtful, and highly intentional networking program. It is designed to offer attendees the most valuable networking experience possible. Our mission is to ensure that each attendee leaves both smarter and better connected than they were when they arrived.
1:00 PM
REGISTRATION
2:00 PM
Keynote Scoring Centuries, The Coca-Cola Company on the Future Global Partnerships
- Brad Ross, Vice President, Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships, The Coca-Cola Company
2:30 PM
Partner Insight Segment
The Home Team Advantage: Jersey Mike's Formula for Engaging Communities
- Jeff Hemschoot, Vice President, Marketing, Jersey Mike's
Moderator: Nicole McCormack, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Brand Solutions, TeamSnap
2:50 PM
Insiders Weigh in on the Biggest Industry Issues and Trends
- Seth Ader, Vice President, Brand Marketing, ESPN
- Nick Baker, Chief Operating Officer, Global Partnerships, AEG
- Dan Gaiman, Vice President, Partnership Development, U.S. Soccer
- Nick Kelly, Vice President, Sponsorships and Partnerships, Verizon
- Stephanie Marciano, Head, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Ally Financial
- Tai Morshed, Senior Vice President, U.S. Strategy & Operations and Global Digital Partnerships, ONE
MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
3:30 PM
Fireside Chat Connecting Through a Shared Allegiance: From the NFL to the Olympics - Tapping into the Emotional and Loyal Passion Points of Sports Fans
- Dedra DeLilli, Head, Sponsorships, Toyota
MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
3:50 PM
BREAK
Hosted by Aquimo
4:20 PM
Fireside Chat
Driving Brand Investment in Women's Sports
- Kate Johnson, Director and Head, Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing Partnerships, Content and Media, Google
Moderator: Leela Srinivasan, CEO, Parity
4:40 PM
Fireside Chat
The Future of Sports Health Technology: Weaving Health Tech in Partnerships
- Melissa Brotz, Chief Marketing, Communications Officer, Abbott
MODERATOR: Jenn Azara, Managing Editor, Technology, Sports Business Journal
5:00 PM
How Tech is Transforming Sports Marketing
Utilizing Tech for Data-Led Decision Making: From Converting Fandom into Consumerism to Evaluating Sponsorships to how Next-gen Season Tickets are Revolutionizing Fan Relationships
5:00 – 5:10 PM TECH TALK 1
- Adam Azor, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Sportradar
5:10 – 5:20 PM TECH TALK 2
- Jon Tuck, President, Publicis Sport U.S.
5:20 – 5:30 PM TECH TALK 3
- Chris Giles, CEO, FanRally
5:30 – 5:45 PM Moderated Round Table Discussion
MODERATOR: Jenn Azara, Managing Editor, Technology, Sports Business Journal
5:45 PM
CLOSING REMARKS
6:00 PM
RECEPTION
Wednesday, June 12
7:15 AM
Private Breakfast Hosted by Parity
(By invitation only, space is limited)
Join Parity for an exclusive workshop breakfast to tailor your investment in women’s sports. Parity will provide groundbreaking data and research, innovative ideas, and coffee to fuel this interactive session.
Hosted by four-time Olympian, Kara Winger, and with Parity Athletes leading each table, you’ll have a unique opportunity for learning and networking. Collaborate with fellow brand marketers to identify opportunities and craft a plan for the future.
You’ll walk away with not just inspiration, but tangible strategies and actionable steps to elevate your brand with women's sports.
7:45 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Hosted by Parity
8:30 AM
OPENING REMARKS
8:40 AM
Agency Consulting Heads Weigh in On the Challenges and Opportunities They - and Their Clients - Are Facing
- Liz Gray, Global Co-Head Brand Consulting, CAA
- Doug Hall, Executive Vice President, Head of Consulting, MKTG Sports + Entertainment
- Jez Lubenetski, Senior Vice President & Global Head of Consulting, Wasserman
- Lou Kovacs, President, Marketing, Octagon
- Justin Zambuto, Senior Vice President & Head Global Partnerships, 160over90
MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
9:20 AM
MODULE PART 1
Saving Future Fandom: Courting Younger Audiences. Resonating with Gen Z. Communicating to Gen Z What it Means to Be A Fan
- Rich Luker, Founder, SSRS/ESPN Sports Poll
9:50 AM
MODULE PART II
Saving Future Fandom: Courting Younger Audiences. Resonating with Gen Z. Meeting Young Sports Fans Where They Are
- Jack Jenkins, Vice President, League Partnerships, Overtime
- Pete Jung, Senior Vice President & CMO, NASCAR
- Patty Morris, Marketing Executive, State Farm
- Lizzie Roediger, Chief Marketing Officer, Teall Sports & Entertainment
- Harish Sarma, Head, Sports & Gaming, TikTok MODERATOR: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
10:35 AM
BREAK
11:05 AM
How Dow and WM are Advancing Sustainability through Sports
11:05 – 11:15 AM Presentation
- Stuart Redsun, Vice President, Brand and Marketing, WM
11:15 – 11:25 AM Presentation
- Carlos Padilla II, Head, Global Sports Partnerships, DOW
11:25 – 11:40 AM Moderated Discussion MODERATOR: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
11:40 AM
Fireside Chat
Fueling Perseverance: Building a Brand While Disrupting the Sports Nutrition Category
- Mark French, CEO, Don’t Quit
12:00 PM
Fireside Chat
Always On Marketing: How Sports Are a Key Part of Rocket Mortgage's Strategy
- Casey Hurbis, Senior Vice President, Rocket Mortgage Marketing
12:20 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM
Breaking Through the Clutter: Industry Leaders Discuss What’s Making an Impact and Moving the Needle
- Andrew Cohen, Head, Consulting, Oak View Group
- Zaileen Janmohamed, President & CEO, Bay Area Host Committee
- Harrison Laifer, Head of Sponsorships, NY Life
- Mike Nichols, Chief, Sponsorship Strategy and Activation, Group 1001 Insurance (Gainbridge)
- Mike Petruzzi, Senior Vice President, Ad Sales & Sports Brand Partnerships, FOX Sports
MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
2:15 PM
Fireside Chat
The Future of Fandom: How EA SPORTS Drives Fan Engagement - In and Out of the Game
- Andrea Hopelain, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Publishing, EA SPORTS MODERATOR: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
2:35 PM
Spotlight Activation
NFL Rams Draft House & Experience: How Brands are Engaging Fans Through One-of-A Kind Activation
- Rico Farmer, Senior Director, Consumer Marketing, Zillow
- Lexi VonderLieth, Los Angeles Rams Vice President of Brand Strategy, LA Rams
- Kevin Weeks, Vice President, Sports Partnerships, SoFi MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
2:55 PM
BREAK
3:25 PM
The New Frontier: Emerging Sports
- Court Jeske, Chief Commercial Officer, United Soccer Leagues
- Jeff Lewis, Founder & CEO, American Flag Football League
- Andrea Pagnanelli, CEO, National Cycling League
- Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO, Professional Pickleball Association Tour MODERATOR: Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal
4:05 PM
Fireside Chat
Why Non-U.S. Headquartered Brands Are Turning to Sports Partnerships for Big Brand Lift
- Jill Kouri, CMO, HCL Tech
MODERATOR: Joe Lemire, Senior Writer, Sports Business Journal
4:25 PM
Creating Personalized Experiences: How Marketers are Delivering on the One-to-One Fan Experience
- Alex Beazley-Long, Senior Strategist, Imagination
- Tonia Constable, Vice President, Global Marketing Partnerships, Sports, Entertainment & Brands, Marriott
- Paige Cutlip, Head, Sports Business Development, Yahoo! Sports and Rivals
- Drew Palin, Senior Director, Global Portfolio Marketing & Digital Capabilities, Gatorade
- David Picioski, Head, Global Partnerships, Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
- Scott Zanghellini, Co-Head, Revenue Strategy and Development, WWE
MODERATOR: Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large, Sports Business Journal
5:05 PM
Closing Remarks
5:15 PM
Summit Ends
