CMOs, brand leaders and more converged on Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on Tuesday to discuss the world of sports sponsorship and marketing.
0 of 15
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Attendees arrived at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on the first day of the 2026 Brand Innovation Summit. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Attendees arrived at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on the first day of the 2026 Brand Innovation Summit. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Attendees gather for breakfast on the first day of the 2026 Brand Innovation Summit. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Attendees arrived at Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on the first day of the 2026 Brand Innovation Summit. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Officials from Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio State and Wisconsin lead an invite-only workshop to start the morning. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Dude Perfect CEO Andrew Yaffe gives an inside look at how the brand’s blend of culture, creativity, and community has redefined modern sports fandom and inspired new pathways to reach emerging audiences. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 NRG EVP and Head/Sports Live & Entertainment Jay Kaufman; Comcast Xfinity VP/Brand Partnerships & Engagement Matt Lederer; Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan; Intersport President Brian Graybill; and Monumental Sports & Entertainment President, Business Operations & COO Jim Van Stone explore the latest trends reshaping sponsorship marketing, from cultural storytelling and data driven activation to evolving fan expectations. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 AWS Head, Integrated, Sports Marketing Shelby Williams discusses how AWS is transforming sports partnerships through AI-driven analytics, cloud innovation, and personalized fan experiences. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 USAA VP & Head, Brand Marketing Jen Escobar and 160over90 EVP Justin Zambuto talk about how USAA leverages the Army-Navy Game through immersive fan activations, influencer strategy, and community programs. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Bank of America Head Global Partnerships & Social Media, Marketing Brad Ross and Octagon EVP Derek Aframe talk about BofA's sponsorship strategy. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 MLB CMO Uzma Rawn Dowler, Rams CMO Kathryn Frederick, Chicago Stars CMO Kay Bradley and LPGA CMO Chad Coleman share how team and league CMOs navigate converting casual fans and more. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Keurig Dr Pepper SVP Cold Brands Derek Dabrowski discusses how the brand is reinventing sports marketing. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Regions Bank SVP, Sponsorships & Experiential Marketing Strategy Paul Hodges; REVELxp President Tracy White; MKTG Sports + Entertainment EVP & Head, Hospitality & Events Emily Spiegel; Marriott VP & Head, Global Sponsorships & Experiences Tonia Constable; and AEG Global Partnerships SVP, AXS Sponsorship Sales & Activation, AEG Global Partnerships Erin Zinser talk about what brands truly value in premium hospitality. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 USTA Managing Director, Corporate Partnerships Deanne Pownall and Grey Goose Brand Manager, North America Rasheda Petty talk about how Grey Goose and the U.S. Open transformed the Honey Deuce into a cultural ritual. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
Brand Innovation Summit Day 1 Sephora Director Marketing Partnerships Nanette Nunu talks about how Sephora is supporting the growth of women's sports, as well as existing fandoms. (Joseph M. Donato/Joseph Donato)
