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 was asked to start a new team at the Disneyland Resort called Operations Special Events. The role focused on managing event logistics while protecting the guest experience—a position that quickly became one of the greatest blessings of his life. Over the years, Al has created countless memorable experiences and built lasting relationships that bring joy to every event he touches.
Married for 25 years to his wife Gina, who works on the Communications Events team at Disneyland, Al values family and balance above all. When he’s not enjoying time with loved ones at the Colorado River, he can often be found supporting friends’ events or speaking to professionals and students about his decades of experience in the industry.
Al is also the author of Keeping It Special, a book filled with heartfelt stories and lessons from his 35 years of creating magic behind the scenes at Disney. The book is available at KeepingItSpecial.com
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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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 Experiential team, Allie Galloway is a passionate and energetic leader with a career built around elevating global brand experiences that drive revenue growth and foster brand affinity. Allie was named to BizBash 500: 2021's Most Influential Event Professionals & Event Marketers’ 35 Under 35 Experiential Marketing’s Next Generation in 2018. Most recently, she was a finalist for The Drum Awards B2B for Best Internal Company Event: 2021 For the Win Sales Conference and Most Innovative or Creative Use of Content: Yahoo's New Kind of NewFront, and won Best Reimagined Event Experience for BizBash Event Style Awards 2020 for her work on Build It: WFH Edition. From building multi-million dollar conferences to producing XR videos, Allie’s experience spans a wide range of events in the entertainment and technology industries. Before joining AOL in 2015, Allie worked for Sony Music Entertainment, creating bespoke meet & greet and intimate live performance sessions for A-list talent across the Southwest. Allie received her BA in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach, and resides in Boulder, CO with her husband, two children, and golden retriever.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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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 Senior Director and Head of Experiential & Content Production for Spotify. She is the Executive Producer, bringing Spotify’s brand to life through experiences and global content and leads a best-in-class team of global producers. Keyana spearheads production for Spotify’s largest owned and operated executions, such as Stream On, concert series, and festivals such as Cannes Lions, an execution that attracts over four thousand attendees. She also supervises Spotify’s other global tentpoles and franchises, such as the Spotify Supper series which has helped to influence millions in won revenue for Spotify’s advertising business. In addition, Keyana’s team executes Spotify O&O events and content to celebrate and promote the artists, creators, and tools available on Spotify’s platform - all in support of Spotify’s mission. Recently Keyana and her team have launched two new offerings that further extend on-platform media buys and support brand music strategies with a Branded Live Event offering and AUX. Keyana has spent her career in production with a focus on media and entertainment brands, executing both B2B and B2C activations and content. Prior to joining Spotify, she served as a producer and led production and video content teams for organizations such as NBC, Vevo, Discovery Communications (now Warner Bros, Discovery), and CNN. Keyana is a coveted collaborator and leader within the industry and was named one of the “Connect Corporate 40 Under 40” by BizBash in 2021. She was named a 2023 Top Women in Media by Cynopsis Media. She also now serves as a juror on awards in the production space. She has a Master of Arts from Pace University in Media and Communications, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. Originally from Canada, Keyana has spent the bulk of her career living in New York and Los Angeles - or in the air, traveling to create memorable experiences in all corners of the world.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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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 designs culture-driven experiences that bring communities together worldwide. He spearheaded Canva Create, the flagship event that drew 2.5M registrants in April 2025, and launched Canva’s first Developer Conference, Canva Extend. Jimmy has helped Canva shine on global stages from Mardi Gras to Cannes Lions, elevating the brand for over 250 million users.
Before Canva, Jimmy spent a decade at CIVIC Entertainment Group, producing award-winning campaigns for Airbnb, Disney, and Meta, including the Grand Ex Award-winning Airbnb Open 2016. A proud Ithaca College alum, Jimmy now calls Los Angeles home after years on the East Coast.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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Find us on LinkedIn and Instagram and catch our latest episodes on the EventUp Podcast!
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, and strategy in event planning
Inspiring teams and partners to think bigger
Whether you’re in events, marketing, or creative strategy, Alyson delivers practical insights and stories you won’t want to miss.
About the guest:
Alyson Strickler-Vazquez is an award-winning event marketing trailblazer with over 15 years of experience spanning Fortune 200 manufacturing, global travel management, and the fast-paced world of tech. From scaling global meeting departments to managing multi-million-dollar event portfolios, Alyson has built a career creating bold events that inspire, engage, and deliver real business results. She is currently the Head of Strategic Events at Webflow, where she leads the company’s flagship conference and external experiences, turning creativity and storytelling into a competitive advantage. Named a 2024 Event Marketer Changemaker and Budget Warrior, and the winner of the 2025 EX Award for Best Meeting Experience (under 5,000 attendees), Alyson seamlessly blends creativity with data-driven insights to design trade shows, activations, incentive programs, and sales kickoffs that leave a lasting impression. Her work goes beyond events—building powerful brand experiences that resonate deeply with audiences, driving long-term engagement and revenue. Through innovative leadership, she’s saved companies millions while elevating their brands on a global scale.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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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 software companies. He has a proven track record of shaping buyer journeys through lead development, nurturing, and strategic engagement. At HAI, he leads with a focus on innovation, automation, and results. A history buff with a passion for New York, the Civil War, and baseball, Glenn brings his love for storytelling into his sales work at HAI.
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The Anniversary Collective is now The Milestone Collective — same mission, fresh new name! Check out the updated site to see what’s new!
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!
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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 spearheads the creative development and implementation of large-scale, complex projects that enhance brand awareness and/or generate franchisee investment. Suzette is fiscally savvy, having managed budgets from $100K to millions of dollars. Her unique professional authenticity inspires teams to excel in all areas. At Taco Bell, Suzette is responsible for driving strategic planning, project management and event execution for events, with a strong focus on franchisee meetings, incentive trips, team member events and consumer events. A key highlight is executing the first Taco Bell Hotel consumer pop up experience that created fanatical brand love and led to the best sales month in Taco Bell history. Prior to Taco Bell, Suzette also successfully produced events and managed marketing campaigns for other major brands, including Disney and American Heart Association. These events garnered global interest from media, celebrities, partner organizations, sponsors, board members, staff and fans. Suzette is based in Orange County, California with her husband and two children. She is a proud graduate of California State University - Fullerton.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!
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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 become the assistant to a Scripted TV Literary Agent, where she learned how a show goes from conception to launch. She left CAA in 2014 to expand her experience and work at digital talent companies like Fullscreen, Big Frame, and AwesomenessTV. During her time at AwesomenessTV, Brooke worked on the Talent Partnerships team, helping bridge the gap between sales, content, distribution, and creators. She then leveraged her expertise in content strategy, marketing, and creators to become the first social media manager for VidCon, where she ran social media for the convention, shaped their editorial voice, and expanded their social reach. Now as the Head of Creator Development at Snapchat, Brooke’s work with creators, celebrities, and talent has been integral in helping creators of all kinds find success in a highly competitive market, strengthening Snapchat’s relationship with creators. Whether Brooke is educating creators on the platform, advising on content strategy or facilitating partnerships, she is a strategic advisor guiding creators along their journey on Snapchat.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!
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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 who’ve shaped the way we connect and engage through experience.
Featured Audio Clip Highlights:
59. The Power of Experiential Marketing – Melissa Cintrón-Muñoz
60. Events from a Bird's Eye View – Elise Schoening
55. What Makes an Event Go From Good to Great – Micaela Christophe
54. Dodgers Foundation Unites L.A. through Events – Erin Edwards
48. Find the Right Destination for Your Next Event – Virginie De Visscher
52. The Ultimate Immersive Experience – Megan Pulver
29. Bringing the Biggest Sporting Event to L.A. – Allison Citelli
57. Unleash Your Marketing Magic – Jerry Shen
56. Branding Unveiled – Lucy Cheng
51. 2023 Marketing Trends – Christina Garnett
22. Creating a Killer Brand – Kalika Yap
61. Company Culture for IMPACT – Jaya Prasad
44. The Magic is in the Data – Jonathan Kazarian
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!
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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 brands that benefit both the planet and people. Currently leading the brand team at Who Gives a Crap, she focuses on profitable growth and oversees brand management, communications, and consumer and brand insights. With previous roles at P&G, Coty and Dollar Shave Club, Maria brings expertise in growing brands both in big international organizations and start-up to scale-up businesses, leveraging innovation, consumer insights and visual storytelling.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
At Innovate Marketing Group, we’ve curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you’re planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!
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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 industry-leading mezcal portfolio of Del Maguey and Ojo de Tigre. Prior to this role, Anuj served on the brand marketing teams of iconic billion dollar spirits brands including Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka and Malibu Rum. Anuj started his career at Procter & Gamble on Old Spice & Gillette. He strives to be an empowering and inclusive people leader/champion, learning from and elevating those around him. He enjoys bringing others together through products and experiences as he’s done leading Absolut’s Coachella activation and launches like Malibu Peach.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 Hamlet is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation. He leads the firm’s Business Services & Life Sciences Practice. With over 25 years of experience in investment banking and business valuation, Channing brings deep expertise and strategic insight to Objective’s clients. His recent notable transactions include the sale of 360 Destination Management to H.I.G. Capital and Supreme to Trinity Hunt Partners. An active member of the Los Angeles advisor community, Channing has served on the boards of the Exit Planning Institute, ACG LA, and EO LA. He is also passionate about philanthropy, particularly through his involvement with Reality Changers. Prior to joining Objective, Mr. Hamlet served as a Managing Director of Cabrillo Advisors, where he was instrumental in both leading their M&A execution and growing the valuation practice from inception into a national entity serving more than 700 clients in five years. Previously, he served as a Director at Vistage; Principal at LLR Partners, a $260 million private-equity firm; and member of Legg Mason’s Investment Banking group. He has a Master’s Degree in Operations Research and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses and is a Registered Representative of BA Securities LLC, Member FINRA SIPC.
Connect with Channing Hamlet on LinkedIn here
Read about the sale of 360 Destination Management Group hereDownload the The Introspective CEO’s Guide to Selling a Business, a high-level workbook covering key considerations for those contemplating a sale here.
Objective, Investment Banking & Valuation is a leading firm serving middle market companies across key industries including Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare Tech, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Technology. We offer M&A advisory through our investment banking group and a full suite of valuation services for tax, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Since 2006, our team has completed over 500 M&A deals and thousands of valuations. Learn more at objectiveibv.com
This podcast episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Securities offered through BA Securities, LLC, Member FINRA, SIPC. Objective and BA Securities, LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 retail industries through the lens of digital and technology. She oversees the editorial content and growth strategy of the media brands, launched in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Manoff joined Digiday Media from Mode Media, where she was the editor of Glam.com starting in July 2015. Prior, she was the editor of searsStyle and head copywriter in Sears’ apparel division. She spent the start of her career in St. Louis as the fashion editor of Alive magazine, the fashion director and co-founder of Saint Louis Fashion Week, and a freelance fashion stylist, working for brands including Anheuser-Busch and Caleres.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 creator campaigns? Download the full Influencer Management Checklist here.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 power of mentorship, sponsorship, and lifting the next generation
💡 Finding creativity, taking risks, and saying “yes” to growth opportunities
🔑 Why confidence, networking, and continuous learning are game-changers for career success
Join us as we repurpose powerful insights from past episodes, featuring voices that inspire, uplift, and pave the way for the future of the industry.
Tune in and celebrate the women making an impact!
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 strategies across Linear TV, Streaming and Audio. With six years of working at Experian, Simona has been spearheading branding initiatives and various product launches for both general market and multicultural marketing campaigns. Simona holds a Master's degree in Strategic PR from The George Washington University, and her background includes working with both PR and media agencies. Based in Orange County, Simona enjoys being a mom, traveling and streaming her favorite shows on the go.
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We’re Top 3! 🎉 EventUp was recently ranked as one of the top 3 event industry podcasts by EventCube and Feedspot! Thank you for your continued support and for making this possible.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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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 over a decade of experience in event sales, marketing, and business development, Sacha Tani Ching is a dynamic leader in the events and hospitality industry. As Director of Sales & Marketing at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, she drives revenue growth and positions the venue as a premier destination for high-profile events. Known for her creative strategies and ability to build lasting relationships, Sacha thrives at blending innovation and hospitality. Her career includes impressive achievements at Universal Studios Hollywood, where she grew the inbound market by 91%, and at the LA Tourism and Convention Board, where she delivered unforgettable experiences for major clients like LinkedIn and Royal Bank of Canada. Whether she’s collaborating with industry professionals or managing large-scale events, Sacha brings passion, professionalism, and a touch of fun to every project. Outside of work, Sacha loves spending time with her young son and family, exploring LA’s hidden gems, sipping matcha lattes, or tending to her thriving plant collection. With a deep love for hospitality and the city she calls home, Sacha embodies the creative and vibrant spirit of Los Angeles in everything she does.
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We’re Top 3! 🎉 EventUp was recently ranked as one of the top 3 event industry podcasts by Feedspot! Thank you for your continued support and for making this possible.
Stay ahead of the curve with insights into the latest trends shaping the events industry. Download the full 2025 Experiential Marketing Trends Report here.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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Deidra Green, VP, Field Performance and Inclusion at European Wax Center, joins Sara Rosas, Revenue Director at Innovate Marketing Group to discover how intentionality, curiosity, and inclusivity can transform workplace culture, create meaningful relationships, and celebrate the diverse identities we all carry. Listen now!
About the guest:
Deidra Green is a licensed esthetician, MBA, aPHR, author, former business owner and now VP of Field Performance and Inclusion at European Wax Center. In addition to driving performance of the Field Training team, Deidra also has oversight of the Industry Relations and Learning and Development functions which ensure EWC attracts top talent to our franchise locations and gives them the tools necessary to thrive once we have their commitment. On fostering inclusion, her role is to partner with leadership to set DE&I strategy, leading the organization's implementation of strategic DE&I action-orientated initiatives, goals, and measurement in alignment with our values: We Care About Each Other, We Do the Right Thing, We Delight Our Guests and We Have Fun While Being Awesome.
Follow Deidra Green on LinkedIn and download our exclusive DEIB calendar here.
Stay ahead of the curve with insights into the latest trends shaping the events industry. Download the full 2025 State of the Industry Report here.
We’re Top 3! 🎉 EventUp was recently ranked as one of the top 3 event industry podcasts by FeedSpot! Thank you for your continued support and for making this possible.
EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, clickhere.
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Join Amanda Ma, Founder & CEO, and Sara Rosas, Revenue Director of Innovate Marketing Group, to discover what’s driving experiential marketing this year: from AI personalization to the return of in-person events and the rise of authentic brand experiences. Tune in now on EventUp!
Download our 2025 State of the Industry Report HERE!
Shadi Nayyer, former Head of Creator Programs and Community at TikTok, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to unlock the evolution of creators and the future of creator marketing in 2025. Dont miss out!
About the guest:
Shadi Nayyer is a tenured leader in the creator space with extensive experience collaborating with and developing creators globally. As the former Head of Creator Programs and Community at TikTok, Shadi led the integration of creators in cultural moments like the Oscars, Super Bowl, Cannes, Fashion Month, and the Met Gala. She built diverse creator communities and developed educational tools to help users grow on the platform. She launched initiatives such as TikTok’s Black and LatinX Creatives program, Community & scholarships, the Diversity Collective, and the Creator Portal, supporting thousands of creators.
Prior to TikTok, Shadi led creator marketing and community at Twitch and founded the Twitch Creator Ambassador program and a Twitch Creator Camp, enabling creators to grow and connect with their communities.
Shadi is deeply passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and creators. She played a key role in the first women’s Tech Accelerator in Silicon Valley and serves as a mentor and speaker for the US State Department’s TechWomen program. Her commitment to diversity, women’s empowerment, and human rights underscores her dedication to creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for underrepresented communities.
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EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here.
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