On a sweltering summer evening, more than fifty professionals from NYC’s marketing community gathered together for Brand Futures: New York. This event promised to bring attendees to a NYC marketing meetup unlike anything they’d experienced before…
One attendee described the event like this:
Very fun and inspirational event. Such a joy to talk “shop” with all of you! This was one of my favorite networking events to date!
Bringing Top Talent Together
One of the defining features of the Brand Futures event series is the people. We work to create a space for marketers from exceptional brands (big and small) to connect – and share real thought leadership – in a safe and private space. Our marketing meetup in New York City certainly was no exception…
We were proud to count Amazon, Estée Lauder, Google, Wells Fargo, Paramount+, American Express, Nespresso, and many more among the brands in attendance.
Location, Location, Location
After looking for a chic yet comfortable space for our guests, the Opal team selected the Ivy Room on the Rooftop at The Royalton Park Avenue.
With the focal point wall adorned with the namesake vine, the Ivy Room exuded cocktail lounge comfort. The exposed brick brought another layer of charm – and the bright yellow baby grand piano added character!
The exterior lounge offered an impressive view overlooking midtown – as well as a rooftop fireplace (we didn’t use it).
Opal and the Brand Futures attendees weren’t the only ones to think this was a great venue in which to spend an evening. Just the night before, two Succession actors, J. Smith-Cameron (Gerri) and Peter Friedman (Frank), spent the evening at The Royalton Park Avenue!
Catered Canapes + Cocktails
What’s a party without amazing food and drinks, right?
We started the night with international-themed canapes, including bruschetta, arancini, and a Mediterranean spread (complete with pita, veggies, tzatziki, and hummus).
The perfect drink for a hot night, our signature cocktail, “The Opal Oasis”, was a huge hit. Here’s what’s in “The Opal Oasis”: Grey Goose, honeydew, agave, pineapple, lemon, and a sprig of thyme.
We ended the evening with sure-to-satisfy comfort foods, like a trio of sliders and a dessert bar (the brownies were the standout sampling!).
Your Hosts
Marketing thought leader Musa Tariq and Opal CEO George Huff shared hosting duties.
While the conversational focus rested squarely on our esteemed guests, Musa told the story of his relationship with Opal. While George chimed in with commentary, Musa recounted Opal’s early years and how George “saved his life!” .
Hot Weather…Hotter Takes
One of the new (and beloved) hallmarks of Brand Futures events are our “Hot Takes”. We pass the mic and ask everyone to share their spiciest opinions on the state of the industry, relevant topics, and where we see it all going.
One of the keys to making Hot Takes such a hit is that we share our opinions in a judgment-free, safe space.
These are a few of the most memorable “Hot Takes”…
- The delicate partnership between CMO and CFO
- How AI can actually help marketers and how much of it is still just hype
- Whether or not the Twitter/X rebrand made sense
- How to do inclusive marketing well
One attendee summed up our Hot Takes by saying:
The event was awesome, I had a great time, and particularly loved the open discussion / healthy debates over Bud Light and Twitter’s rebranding. I learned so much and hope to be able to attend another one in the future!
Many Amazing Nights to Come
While every evening will be different, we’re bringing our Brand Futures event series to cities all across the country.