EventUp

Meghan Gerrity, Brand Leader for Neutrogena Sun at Kenvue, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, for a conversation on how creators, consumers, and communities are reshaping modern brand marketing. Drawing from her experience across iconic brands including Neutrogena, Gerber, Tic Tac, Domino Sugar, and Dr. Praeger's, Meghan shares why authentic creator content is outperform...

Gianna Wilkins, Director of Convention Services at the Pasadena Convention Center, and Tricia Galloway, Director of Catering Sales with Oak View Group, join Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to share what really goes into creating impactful live event experiences behind the scenes. If you’re an event marketer, meeting planner, venue professional, or brand leader looking to el...

Judith Martinez, Director of Social Impact & Inclusion at Rare Beauty, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to explore how purpose-driven brands create meaningful impact through experiential marketing. If you’re a brand leader, event strategist, or marketer looking to create experiences that actually matter, this episode will shift how you think about experiential mark...

Bria Demetrius, Communications Marketing Manager at Cox Communications, joins Sara Rosas, Director of Partnerships at Innovate Marketing Group, to explore how insight-led marketing drives real performance and stronger customer connections. Bria shares her journey from broadcast journalism to consumer marketing, and how her background shaped her approach to data, storytelling, and customer experien...

Ashley Erickson, Executive Experiential Strategy at Starbucks and Founder of AC Experiential, joins Sara Rosas, Director of Partnerships at Innovate Marketing Group, to break down how large organizations build corporate event strategies that align with business goals and deliver measurable impact. Listen now! If you're a marketing leader, corporate event strategist, or brand executive looking...

Experiential marketing is evolving fast, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most intentional and human-centered years yet. In this episode of EventUp, Innovate Marketing Group CEO Amanda Ma and Director of Partnerships Sara Rosas unpack the State of Experiential 2026, sharing real-world insights from the brands, creators, and audiences redefining what live experiences can be. From sensory-fir...

How do you transform events from memorable moments into measurable business impact? In this episode, Sara Rosas, Director of Partnerships at Innovate Marketing Group, breaks down why experiential ROI is so difficult to quantify and introduces a smarter, layered way to measure success. Sara shares the real client moments that inspired the creation of the Experiential ROI Playbook , a behind-the-sce...

Michelle Aragon, former VP of Brand Marketing & Strategy at Spectrum Reach, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to talk about curiosity, change, and the power of connection in marketing. Tune in for a conversation on connection, creativity, and leading through change. About the guest: Michelle is a senior marketing leader with deep expertise at the intersection of bra...

Al Nassar, Sr. Manager, Special Events at The Walt Disney Company, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to explore how Disney crafts emotional connections, handles thousand-person hiccups, and stages before-dawn ceremonies at the castle. Learn practical tips on leadership, vendor collaboration, and protecting your reputation in the industry. About the guest:  In 1991, Al w...

Allie Galloway, Senior Director, Global Events and Experiential Marketing at Yahoo, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to talk about designing memorable brand activations, leading inspired teams, and staying ahead in experiential marketing. Tune in now and get inspired to reimagine your next event. About the guest: As a Director of Events on the Yahoo Events and Experien...

Keyana Kashfi, Global Senior Director, Head of Experiential and Content Production at Spotify, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to share how Spotify turns audiences into true fans. From Spotify Wrapped to global activations, Keyana reveals how fandom, content, and technology create authentic brand experiences worldwide. About the guest: Keyana Kashfi is the Global Seni...

Jimmy Knowles, Global Head of Experiential at Canva, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to explore how creativity and play fuel brand success. From bold ideas to community-driven events, Jimmy shares how experiential activations are transforming the way global brands connect and grow. About the guest : Jimmy Knowles leads Global Experiential Marketing at Canva, where he...

Alyson Strickler-Vazquez, Head of Strategic Events at Webflow, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder at Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss her journey in event marketing and how she turns limited budgets into high-impact experiences. Listeners will learn: Smart ways to stretch budgets without losing impact How to design experiences that truly stick with attendees Balancing innovation, storytelling, a...

Glenn Chamoff, Head of Sales and Partnerships at HAI, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to share how milestone campaigns can drive brand growth through storytelling, strategy, and authentic connection. Tune in now! About the guest: Before joining HAI in October 2022, Glenn Chamoff held sales leadership roles at top firms like Unisys and CSC (now DXC), as well as niche...

Suzette Ford-Duffus, Head of Meeting and Events at Taco Bell joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss Taco Bell’s bold experiential strategy, viral brand moments, and how events can drive real cultural and business impact. About the guest: Suzette is an award-winning, innovative leader with 20+ years’ experience in experiential events and conferences. She spearhea...

Brooke Berry, Head of Creator Development at Snapchat joins Sara Rosas, Director of Partnerships at Innovate Marketing Group to discuss how Snapchat is reshaping their creator culture! Tune in now! About the guest: Brooke began her career in 2012 working with writers, directors, and producers in Scripted Television at Creative Artist Agency (CAA). During her time at CAA, she worked her way up to b...

We made it—100 episodes of EventUp! Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering us, this special milestone episode is all about reflection, recognition, and reinspiration. Join host Amanda as we look back on unforgettable moments from the past 99 episodes—spotlighting the innovators, marketers, event leaders, and creative thinkers...

Maria Chilewicz. VP, Head of Brand at Who Gives A Crap, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group to talk about turning bold ideas into brand love. This episode is packed with insights on how to break through the noise with purpose and personality. Listen now! About the guest: Maria, a seasoned brand leader with 17 years of global CPG experience, is dedicated to building brand...

Anuj Chhabra, Portfolio Lead at Pernod Ricard, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group for a powerful conversation on brand evolution. Expect insights on experiential marketing, human-centered leadership, and how staying curious can future-proof your career. Listen now! About the guest: Anuj is a classically-trained brand marketer currently managing Pernod Ricard's indus...

Channing Hamlet, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to discuss the rising "flight to quality" in the event industry. Learn how consolidation is transforming the landscape — and how event businesses can adapt, scale, and thrive in a shifting market. About the guest: Channing Ham...

Jill Manoff, Editor-in-Chief at Glossy and Modern Retail, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group in covering the future of fashion media, and elevating brand voices through editorial power. Tune in and get inspired! About the guest: Jill Manoff is the editor-in-chief of Digiday Media’s Glossy and Modern Retail, which explores the transformation of the fashion, beauty and re...

Join Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder and Jacqueline Ho, VP of Accounts of Innovate Marketing Group as they share 6 proven strategies to elevate your creator events. Learn how to pick the right creators, design content-worthy experiences, boost real-time engagement, and measure ROI. Perfect for marketers and event pros looking to build more authentic, impactful campaigns. Ready to level up your creato...

In celebration of International Women’s Month, we’re spotlighting the incredible women transforming the events industry. From redefining leadership to driving innovation, these trailblazers share their journeys, challenges, and the lessons that helped them break barriers. In this special episode, we discuss: 🎤 How women in events are evolving from planners to strategic business leaders 🚀 The pow...

Simona Ezell, Broadcast Marketing Lead at Experian, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group and learn how Experian leverages sponsorships with athletes and major events to craft compelling brand stories that resonate with audiences. Don't miss out! About the guest: Simona Ezell is the Broadcast Marketing Lead at Experian, where she oversees Direct-to-Consumer marketing strat...

Sacha Tani Ching, Director of Sales and Marketing at the LA Memorial Coliseum, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group as she shares her extensive experience in the event planning industry. Highlighting memorable events, challenges and innovations in event planning. Tune in now! About the guest: Sacha Tani Ching – Event Sales Leader, Hospitality Pro, and LA Enthusiast With o...