Program Schedule

Day 1 - Thursday, July 24th | Creator Marketing Symposium and Dean's Reception

• 12:00 p.m. Check-in, Networking, and Welcome
• 1:00 p.m. State of Creator Marketing in 2025
  • Frank Dudley, Lecturer and Associate Director, Retail Analytics Council at Medill IMC
  • Frank Mulhern, Professor and Director, Retail Analytics Council at Medill IMC
  Professors Frank Dudley and Frank Mulhern share new research conducted in collaboration with Northwestern’s Retail Analytics Council and LTK. Their findings highlight how creator marketing has evolved into a full-funnel strategy—one that goes far beyond influencer partnerships to drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and commerce. Learn how leading brands are leveraging creators as long-term brand builders, content collaborators, and performance drivers in today’s marketing mix.
• 1:45 p.m. Marketing Leadership Panel: Leveraging Creators to Drive Real Business Impact
  • Marci Raible, VP of Integrated Marketing at The Campbell's Company
  • Chris Steele, Sr. Director of Marketing at Molson-Coors
  • Jennifer Brown, Director of Influencer Marketing and Talent and Partnerships at SHEIN
  • Katie Casey, Director of Global Marketing at Hyatt Hotels
  In today’s fast-moving creator economy, marketing leaders are being challenged to rethink how they build brand equity, scale storytelling, and drive performance. In this panel, senior marketing executives from Campbell’s, Molson Coors, SHEIN, and Hyatt share how they’re evolving their strategies to manage creator partnerships, measure impact, and stay culturally relevant in a crowded digital landscape.
• 2:30 p.m. BREAK
• 2:45 p.m. A Day in the Life of a Creator
  • Nichole Mrasek, Director of Marketing Communications at LTK (moderator)
  • Jenn Lake: Content Creator at Style Charade and Chief Strategy Officer of Zapwater Communications
  • Cora Shircel: Content Creator
  • Avery Lauren: Content Creator
  • Lisaura Lara: Content Creator and Founder of Aura by Lisaura Lara
  • Shelbi Doran: Content Creator
  What does it take to succeed as a creator in today’s digital economy—and what can brands learn from those on the front lines? In this panel moderated by Ally Anderson, Director of Strategy & Insights, Brand Partnerships at LTK, one of the world’s largest creator and social commerce platforms, creators will share how they collaborate with brands and retailers to drive measurable business results. From content development to performance metrics, you’ll hear candid insights about the opportunities, challenges, and evolving expectations that shape the creator-brand relationship.
• 3:30 p.m. A New Customer Journey: Integrating Brands, Creators, and Retail Media Networks
  • Frank Dudley, Lecturer and Associate Director, Retail Analytics Council at Medill IMC
  • Frank Mulhern, Professor and Director, Retail Analytics Council at Medill IMC
  Retail Media Networks are rapidly reshaping how brands connect with consumers, and creators are becoming a key part of that evolution. In this session, Professor Frank Dudley shares new research from Northwestern’s Retail Analytics Council in partnership with LTK, exploring how creators are being integrated into retail media strategies to enhance engagement, extend reach, and drive commerce. Learn what this shift means for marketers navigating the intersection of influence, media, and measurable results.
• 3:45 p.m. Digital Retail Media Leadership Panel: The Emergence of Innovative Partnerships between Brands and Creators through Retail Media Networks
  • Monique Perlmutter, Sr. Director, Partner Solutions Group at Roundel (Target)
  • Taly El-Zemtr, Vice President, Operations and Client Services at Walmart Connect
  • Elizabeth Perryman, Head of Marketing and Partner Experience at Albertsons Media Collective
  • Matt Hansen, Director, Travel Media Network at Expedia Group
  As retail media continues to grow, retailers are expanding their approach to brand partnerships, bringing creators into the mix to enhance performance and relevance. In this panel, leaders from Target, Walmart, Expedia, and Albertsons share how they’re leveraging digital retail media networks to drive results. Learn how top retailers are integrating creators into their strategies, building scalable solutions for brand partners, and evolving what it means to connect with today’s shopper.
• 4:30 p.m. BREAK
• 4:45 p.m. Fireside Chat: The Value of IMC in Marketing Today
  • Tyrrell Schmidt, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, TD Bank Group
  • Frank Dudley, Lecturer and Associate Director, Retail Analytics Council at Medill IMC
  In this fireside chat, Tyrrell Schmidt—Medill IMC alumna and Global CMO of TD Bank Group—reflects on how her IMC education continues to shape her leadership in one of North America’s largest financial institutions. In conversation with Frank Dudley, Schmidt will share how the values, frameworks, and strategic mindset she developed at Medill have guided her through brand transformation, customer engagement, and the evolving role of marketing in today’s business landscape.
• 5:30 p.m. Dean’s Reception
  • Charles Whitaker, Dean and Professor at Medill
  Close out the day with a reception hosted by Dean Charles Whitaker. This is a chance to connect with fellow attendees and speakers in a relaxed setting, reflect on the day’s insights, and continue the conversations sparked throughout the conference. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
• 7:00 p.m. Day 1 Close

Day 2 - Friday, July 25th | A Day with Medill IMC

• 8:15 a.m. Check-in, Networking and Welcome
• 9:00 a.m. Opening Keynote Melissa Brotz, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Abbott (keynote presentation will be followed by a fireside chat with Jonathan Copulsky, former Deloitte CMO and senior lecturer at Medill IMC)

9:45 a.m. Morning Thought Leadership Series

• 9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Mars and Venus: The Space Between Marketing and Finance with Tony Poidomani, Lecturer at Medill IMC
  
  Explore the chase for value, capital as a catalyst, and how finance and marketing should “dance in time” with Professor Tony Poidomani.
• 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Modern Metrics Driving Marketing Success with Matt Withington, Senior Director of Marketing, Truly & Angry Orchard at The Boston Beer Company and Roy Wollen, Lecturer at Medill IMC and Director of Client Engagement at Medill Executive Education
  
  As marketing becomes more data-driven, the question isn’t whether to measure—it’s what to measure, and how to make it matter. In this session, Matt Withington and Professor Roy Wollen explore the evolving metrics that define marketing success today. From brand health and performance marketing to impact on revenue and market share, they’ll discuss what truly resonates with the C-suite and how marketers can better align their work with business outcomes.
• 10:45 a.m. BREAK
• 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Rethinking the Agency Review Process: Finding a Better Way to Partner with Mark Revermann, SVP, Business Integration at Fluent 360
  
  In an industry defined by rapid innovation, one practice remains surprisingly unchanged: the agency review. Despite advances in nearly every facet of marketing, the process of selecting agency partners often remains time-consuming and inefficient. This session provides an examination of the current state of agency selection—what works, what doesn't, and where opportunities for improvement lie. Join Mark Revermann for a conversation about rethinking the review process to make it more strategic, streamlined, and aligned with today’s marketing realities.
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Rethinking Change: Why Large Companies Get Stuck with Clive Sirkin, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Kimberly-Clark and Former Chief Growth Officer at Kellogg Company, Host of Unstuck! Podcast in conversation with Rishad Tobaccowala, Author and Former Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe
  
  Two of the industry’s most respected voices—Clive Sirkin and Rishad Tobaccowala—explore what’s next for marketing, leadership, and the workplace. With decades of experience leading global brands and agencies, they have shifted their focus to transformation. They’ll discuss how the expectations of talent, the structure of organizations, and the role of marketers are all evolving. This session offers an early lens into the key themes of Saturday’s Future of Work Summit—providing inspiration, insight, and a thoughtful head start on the conversations to come.
• 12:00 p.m. Networking Lunch

1:00 p.m. Afternoon Thought Leadership Series

• 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Reputation Management in the Age of Digital and Social Media with Ashlee Humphreys, PhD, Professor at Medill IMC
  
  Reputation has always mattered—but in today’s hyper-connected digital environment, it’s more visible, more vulnerable, and more complex than ever. In this session, Professor Ashlee Humphreys explores the sociological foundations of reputation and the most common challenges of navigating crises, rebuilding trust, and repairing brand reputation across digital and social media platforms.
• 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Faster, Messier, Tougher: Communicating Through Crisis in a New Era with Bradley Akubuiro, Partner at Bully Pulpit International, Columnist at Inc. Magazine, and Adjunct Lecturer at Medill IMC
  
  Today’s leaders are navigating a communications environment unlike anything we’ve seen before, fueled by nonstop controversy, generative AI, and declining trust. This session offers a new framework built for the realities of this moment where misinformation moves faster than facts, and every decision can turn into a headline. Drawing on his experience as Boeing’s chief spokesperson in the aftermath of the 737 MAX accidents and as a strategic advisor to organizations like the NFL, McDonald’s, and Levi Strauss, Bradley Akubuiro breaks down what it takes to lead through the chaos. Attendees will leave with practical tools for handling high-pressure moments—how to define the right audience, build credible messages, manage internal and external backlash, and show up with confidence when it counts most.
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. G.O.A.T Marketing: The Athlete Stakeholder, the Legacy of Greatness, and IMC with Spenser Ford, Global Men’s Brand Marketing, LeBron Lead, Nike
  
  What does it take to build and sustain a brand around one of the most iconic athletes of all time? In this session, Spenser Ford shares insights from leading the LeBron brand at Nike, where storytelling, cultural fluency, and long-term vision intersect. Through real-world examples and behind-the-scenes perspective, Spenser will share how sports — and the modern athlete — is reshaping integrated marketing strategies to deepen brand connection, fuel cultural relevance, and create marketing that drives performance and lasting impact.
• 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Better Question: A Curiosity Masterclass for Executives with Paul Barnett, CEO at Now What
  
  In a world where answers are everywhere, the real advantage lies in asking better questions. In this interactive session, Paul Barnett leads a masterclass on the power of executive curiosity. Learn how great leaders use thoughtful inquiry to spark innovation, navigate uncertainty, and drive deeper alignment across teams and stakeholders. Come ready to challenge assumptions—and leave with questions that open new possibilities.
• 3:00 p.m. BREAK
• 3:15 p.m. Personal Branding, Harness Your Power as a Presenter, CMO Fireside Chat and Table Topic Networking
• 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Fast-Track Your LinkedIn Impact: Profile and Thought Leadership Essentials with Hope Bertram, Founder at Digital Megaphone
  
  You’ve built your career on results, relationships, and expertise. But in today’s digital world, visibility is just as critical. In this session, Hope Bertram shares a streamlined approach to building a strong presence on LinkedIn—without it becoming a second job. You’ll learn actionable, easy-to-implement strategies to elevate your profile, showcase your expertise, and develop thought leadership that aligns with your goals. Whether you're seeking your next promotion, attracting new opportunities, expanding your network, or simply showing up more intentionally, this session will equip you with the tools to do so with confidence and clarity.
• 3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. CMO Fireside Chat with Justin Weinstein, CMO and Chief Merchandising Officer at Giant Eagle in conversation with Layth Yehyawi, Marketing Analytics, Performance & Insights, Strategic Analyst to the CMO at Gallagher
• 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Harness Your Power as a Presenter with Jodee Blanco, Speaker and Author, The Jodee Blanco Group, Inc.
  
  New York Times bestselling author and veteran speaker, Jodee Blanco, will provide a simple, practical tool kit for knocking any presentation out of the park. Whether it’s a one-on-one pitch, a teams’ meeting, a client conference or a packed ballroom at a convention, she’ll show participants how to connect with any audience.
• 4:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Hot Topic Networking: Career Conversations That Matter
  
  This interactive session brings the day's themes to life through small-group conversations focused on career advancement, leadership, and personal branding. Curated by the Medill IMC Alumni Steering Committee, each table will explore a timely topic—from empowering teams and navigating career growth to translating KPIs into executive impact and leading across generations. Whether you're looking to share your own insights or learn from fellow alumni, this is your chance to connect meaningfully, expand your perspective, and strengthen your professional network.
• 5:15 p.m. Day 2 Close

Day 3 - Saturday, July 26th | The Future of Work Summit with Rishad Tobaccowala

• 8:15 a.m. Check-in, Networking and Welcome
• 9:00 a.m. Opening Keynote and Conversation: Rethinking the Future of Work
  • Rishad Tobaccowala, Author and Former Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe
  • Judy Franks, Professor at Medill IMC
  Rishad Tobaccowala kicks off day three with a keynote that will explore how leaders and organizations can reimagine growth and adaptability in a world driven by technology and transformation. Rishad’s talk will be followed by a fireside chat with Judy Franks, Medill IMC professor, to further unpack the strategic implications and set the stage for a day packed with forward-looking sessions.
• 10:00 a.m. The Future of Marketing in an AI World
  
  Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing strategy, creativity, and customer engagement. This session will examine the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations marketers must navigate in an AI-driven future. This session begins with a presentation exploring how AI is transforming marketing strategy, creativity, and customer experience. A panel of scholars and industry experts will then dive deeper into the real-world implications, challenges, and opportunities AI presents for IMC today—and in the years ahead.
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. Presentation by David Shell, Adjunct Lecturer at Medill IMC
• 10:20 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Fireside Chat: Vijay Viswanathan, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor and Associate Dean, IMC with Jeannette Liendo, CMO at Siemens Healthineers
• 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Q and A
• 11:15 a.m. AI + Humans: The Power Duo Shaping the Future of Work
  
  Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, and the future belongs to teams that blend machine intelligence with human judgment. In this session, Carolyn Tang Kmet opens with a presentation on how AI and human collaboration are redefining roles, productivity, and leadership. A follow-up panel featuring marketing and business leaders will explore how forward-thinking organizations are navigating this shift—and what it means for the next generation of work.
• 11:15 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. Presentation by Carolyn Tang Kmet, Associate Professor at Medill IMC
• 11:35 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Panel: Carolyn Tang Kmet (moderator), Tariq Hassan, former Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, McDonald’s, Rishad Tobaccowala, Author and Former Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe
• 11:55 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Q and A
• 12:15 p.m. Networking Lunch
• 1:15 p.m. The Reskilling Revolution: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce – Now
  
  As technology and workplace expectations evolve at record speed, reskilling is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative. In this session, Matt Moog kicks things off with a focused talk on how organizations can close talent gaps and future-proof their workforce. He’s then joined by a panel of leaders, moderated by Amanda Lannert, to explore what effective reskilling looks like in practice—from executive-level shifts to company-wide culture change.
• 1:15 p.m. -1:35 p.m. Presentation by Matt Moog, Founder & CEO at Career Bird
• 1:35 p.m.- 1:55 p.m. Panel: Amanda Lannert, CEO at Jellyvision (moderator), Matt Moog, Founder & CEO at Career Bird, Renetta McCann, Chief Inclusion Experiences Officer at Publicis Groupe
• 1:55 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Q and A
• 2:15 p.m. Redefining Culture, Communications, and Knowledge in a Hybrid, AI World
  
  As hybrid work becomes the norm and AI continues to evolve, the way we communicate, collaborate, and build culture is being fundamentally redefined. This session examines how organizations are adapting, encompassing areas such as knowledge sharing, internal communication, employee experience, and culture-building. Learn how leaders are rethinking the human side of work in an increasingly digital, distributed world.
• 2:15 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. Fireside chat with Danielle Robinson Bell, Associate Professor at Medill IMC and Caroline Vasquez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at DRW
• 2:35 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Panel: Jeffrey Treem, Professor at Medill IMC (moderator), Allison England, Head of US & Canada Communications at GE HealthCare, Keisha McClelland, Vice President at Weber Shandwick, Sumir Lal, former Director of External Affairs at The World Bank
• 3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Q and A
• 3:15 p.m. BREAK
• 3:30 p.m. The Blueprint for Tomorrow: Reimagining Organizations, Leadership, and Talent for the Future
  
  What does it take to build an organization that’s truly ready for what’s next? This session looks at how forward-thinking leaders are reshaping structures, redefining leadership, and reimagining talent models to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. From agility and inclusion to purpose and innovation, discover the principles shaping the next era of work—and what it means to lead in it.
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Panel: Tariq Hassan, former Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, McDonald’s (moderator), Amanda Lannert, CEO, Jellyvision, Keisha McClelland, Vice President at Weber Shandwick, Vijay Viswanathan, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor and Associate Dean at Medill IMC, Renetta McCann, Chief Inclusion Experiences Officer at Publicis Groupe
• 4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Q and A
• 4:30 p.m. Day 3 Close; Conference close