The 2026 Entertainment Marketing Summit, hosted by Variety and presented by Deloitte, is set to gather a distinguished array of executives and creatives on April 22 in Los Angeles. This year's event boasts an impressive roster of additional speakers, including Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of NBCU Television Studios, Apple's Vice President of Music, TV, Sports, Podcasts, and Beats, Oliver Schusser, renowned supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, and Alain Tascan, President of Netflix Games. These industry leaders will delve into various aspects of entertainment marketing, offering insights into audience connection strategies and the future of the media landscape. The summit will feature keynote conversations with Igbokwe, reflecting on NBC's centennial, and Schusser, discussing Apple's innovative approach to engaging audiences, particularly following successful campaigns like the Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Further enriching the program, Ashley Graham will join Natasha Bolouki of UTA for a discussion on "The Power of Partnership," while Alain Tascan will participate in a fireside chat with Deloitte Consulting LLP's Wenny Katzenstein, exploring "Leveling Up Fandom: How Games Extend Entertainment IP." Additionally, Brent Weinstein from CAA will moderate a session titled "Mythical Momentum!," examining the enduring success of Rhett & Link's Mythical entertainment brand. Stephanie Dolan, U.S. Entertainment Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP, emphasized the transformative potential of entertainment marketing, highlighting the shift towards participatory audience engagement. She noted that the convergence of compelling storytelling, data-driven insights, and real-time feedback is reshaping how audiences interact with entertainment content, creating new opportunities for marketers to forge deeper, more personalized connections. The summit will also feature insights from Deloitte's 20th annual Digital Media Trends report, providing a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions in the industry.
The summit's agenda also includes discussions with other notable figures such as Blair Rich of Legendary Entertainment, Rebecca Kearey from Searchlight Pictures, Brett Hyman of NVE Experience Agency, Jill Steinhauser from Warner Bros. Discovery, Gina Igwe of DoorDash, and Sharhzad Rafati from RHEI, among many others. These diverse perspectives promise to offer a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities facing entertainment marketers today. The event builds upon previously announced keynote conversations with Pam Abdy, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, and Tina Knowles, businesswoman and philanthropist. With Deloitte as the presenting partner and NBCUniversal as a Premier Partner, alongside supporting partners Discord, StackAdapt, and Vizio, the summit is poised to be a pivotal gathering for professionals navigating the dynamic world of entertainment marketing.
This summit represents a crucial forum for exchanging ideas and fostering innovation within the entertainment marketing sector. By bringing together leading minds from across the industry, it encourages a forward-thinking approach to audience engagement and brand development. The insights shared and connections made at this event will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a more dynamic, interactive, and impactful future for entertainment experiences, promoting growth and positive evolution in the creative economy.