The speakers and topics were great! Great job with the content!
Liked the outline, the rhythm, the host. Dynamic event with short, concise talks.
Loved that networking breaks had fun food stations. Whoever thought of that was brilliant.
Conference Agenda 2025
BrandSmart delivers a powerful showcase of mainstage and breakout session presentations featuring brand innovators, thought leaders, disruptors and transformers to explore the trends and tools shaping the future of branding.
This agenda is subject to change.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
- 9:00 – 9:25
- Cathedral Room
Registration & Continental Breakfast
- 9:25 – 9:30
- Josh Blacksmith, President, AMA Chicago
- Cathedral Room
WELCOME
Josh Blacksmith | President AMA Chicago | Head of Global Integrated Marketing, Experiences & Digital Transformation at Kimberly-Clark
- 9:30 – 9:55
- Julie Giese
- Cathedral Room
Moving a Legacy Forward: How to innovate while staying true to your brand
Julie Giese | President, NASCAR Chicago Street Race
- 10:00 - 10:25
- To Be Announced
- Cathedral Room
Morning Keynote — sponsored by VML
- 10:25 – 10: 45
- Cathedral Room & the 7th Floor
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
- 10:45 – 11:10
- Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Beyond the Buzzword: Building Brand Loyalty Through Diversity and Inclusion
VML
- 11:25 – 11:50
- Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- To Be Announced
- TBD
Marketing Science Case Study
Mutinex
- Jennifer Severns
- TBD
Transforming with Purpose: Actionable Strategies to Lead Ethical Digital Innovation
Severns Innovation Group, LLC
- Gary Kash
- TBD
3 Key Marketing Lessons that Drive Results
Gary Kash Marketing Insights
- 12:00 – 1:00
- Cathedral Room Only
Networking Luncheon
Bennie Johnson
CEO, American Marketing Association
- 1:00 – 1:25
- To Be Announced
- Cathedral Room
Digital Transformation – Attributing KPI’s to CTV — sponsored by Viant
- 1:40 – 2:05
- Cathedral Room & 7th floor rooms
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Frank Haas
- TBD
Redefining Relevance Through Innovation for a 500 Year Old Brand
Gebrüder Weiss | Transport & Logistics Worldwide
- Lova Randrianasolo, PhD.
- TBD
3 Things Marketers Must Do To Go From Data-Driven to Insight-Driven
SAVA Group
- TBD
To Be Announced
- 2:05 – 2:25
- Cathedral Room & the 7th floor
Refreshment Break & Exhibits
- 2:25 – 2:50
- Cathedral Room & the 7th floor rooms
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
- Christine Buck
- TBD
Connecting Through Stories: Elevating Brand Impact in B2B Marketing
HIMMS
- TBD
- TBD
To Be Announced
- Tatia Torrey
- TBD
Future Proofing Talent for Marketing Organizations
Spencer Stuart
- 3:00 – 3:25
- Kary McIlwain
- Cathedral Room
The Role of Brand in a Crisis
Kary McIlwain |Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
- 3:45 – 4:45
- Top Floor of University Club of Chicago