EVENT RECAP
Ovative Group’s inaugural Trailblazers Live brought together marketing’s boldest minds for an afternoon of candid conversations and forward-thinking ideas. Leaders from top brands and media platforms gathered in New York City to explore what it means to lead with confidence in a changing world.
From AI’s role in creativity to the evolving relationship between brand, revenue, and customer, one theme stood out: the future belongs to bold marketers who blend art and science to drive meaningful growth.
Date: October 6th, 2025
Location: Eataly Flatiron, New York City
KEYNOTE
AI Changes Everything—Right?! The Paradox of Modern Marketing
While AI is transforming how marketers drive impact, it’s also making them ask what still needs human insight. Ovative’s SVP of Growth, Jesse Grittner, explored how AI is shaping modern marketing—and what’s staying the same. Highlights included:
- AI is revolutionizing the tools, not the fundamentals. Human creativity still drives connection.
- Agentic commerce will redefine digital shopping.
- The marketers who win will pair data with empathy and tech with creative risk-taking.
BRAND PANEL
The New Brand Blueprint: Insights and Inspiration
Brand has always been where creativity meets trust—but today, that balance is evolving fast. Panelists from American Eagle and TikTok explored how brands can embrace both art and science to drive loyalty in an AI-powered world. Highlights included:
- Brand and performance aren’t opposites—they’re interdependent forces.
- Creator-led content outperforms traditional formats when built on trust and authenticity.
- AI can expand creative potential—but cultural understanding must lead the way.
REVENUE PANEL
Winning Wallets: The Art and Science of Revenue Growth
Marketing remains a growth engine—but today’s leaders are redefining how to prove it. Leaders from Boost Mobile, At Home, and Meta discussed the power of patience, balance, and data-driven creativity to achieve both immediate results and sustainable value. Highlights included:
- Treat marketing as an investment, not an expense.
- Creativity and analytics are twin engines of revenue performance.
- Omni-channel approaches unlock consistency and measurable long-term growth.
CUSTOMER PANEL
The Evolution of Engagement: Navigating the New Consumer Landscape
Today’s consumers expect personalization, privacy, and purpose at every touchpoint. Panelists from Post and Ann Taylor & LOFT shared how they’re reshaping engagement for an ever-evolving world. Highlights included:
- Brands win by keeping customers at the heart of every marketing decision.
- Teams are breaking silos between media, brand, and creative for unified customer insight.
- AI enables faster learning—but relevance still starts with empathy and understanding.
PARTNER PANEL
Agility and Advantage: The Power of Independent Agencies for Brands
Agility is every marketer’s competitive edge. In this panel, leaders from Google, Amazon, and The Trade Desk explored how independent agencies drive innovation through transparency, speed, and proprietary technology. Highlights included:
- Indie agencies are driving innovation through flexibility and client-first collaboration.
- Proprietary tech delivers competitive advantages once reserved for large holding companies.
- Transparency is now table stakes for agency partnerships.
Trailblazers who took the stage
From media platform innovators to brand builders across industries, Trailblazers Live brought together bold voices from across the marketing ecosystem. Their insights are shaping how brands grow, connect, and lead in the years ahead.
Alicia Carey
Managing Director, Agency, Platforms & Investor Partnerships at Google
Katy Friday
SVP, Business Development at The Trade Desk
Monica Gratzer
Senior Director of Performance Media at Post Consumer Brands
Jesse Grittner
SVP, Growth at Ovative
Bethany Hawthorne
Senior Director, Client Services at Ovative
Sean Lee
SVP of Product, Marketing, and Supply Chain at Boost Mobile
Melissa Medina
Industry Manager at Meta
Dale Nitschke
CEO and Founder at Ovative
Aaron Rose
Chief Commercial Officer at At Home
Charlotte Ryan
VP, Client Services at Ovative
Ashley Schapiro
VP of Marketing, Media, Performance & Engagement at American Eagle
Steve Silbaugh
SVP, Digital & Customer Marketing at Ann Taylor & LOFT, KnitWell Group
Michael Swilley
Head of Global Independent Agency Development at Amazon Ads
Meredith Zhang
Measurement Partner, Global Agency Lead at TikTok
Annie Zipfel
EVP, Media at Ovative
