The Future of Community-Driven Marketing: Insights from DMWF North America’s Expert Panel
Brands that build connected communities today are the ones that will thrive tomorrow. As digital marketing continues to shift, creating genuine engagement is no longer optional—it’s essential. At DMWF North America, returning to Marriott Marquis, Times Square, NYC on October 13–14, 2025, the session “Cultivating Connected Communities” will provide marketers with practical strategies to foster loyal, active audiences.
This panel, part of the Social Media, Influencer & Community Marketing track, will focus on how leading brands are adapting to platform updates, rising expectations for authenticity, and new ways to monetize communities. For marketers aiming to transform passive followers into brand advocates, this session promises actionable insights and forward-thinking ideas.
Key Themes: Real Connections in a Crowded Digital Space
With increased content saturation and unpredictable social media algorithms, brands face a tough challenge: how to stand out without losing authenticity. The panel will cover essential topics such as:
- Meeting growing demands for authentic brand storytelling
- Building lasting creator partnerships and brand ambassadors
- Shifting focus from vanity metrics to retention, sentiment, and meaningful engagement
- Monetizing communities through exclusive content, virtual events, and subscriptions
- Ensuring a cohesive brand experience across fragmented platforms
Successfully addressing these challenges requires more than creative content—it demands strategic coordination among marketing, technology, and community teams.
Meet the Speakers: Leaders Shaping Community Strategy in 2025
The panel features senior leaders from top brands redefining community engagement:
- Rachel Duffy – Deputy Head of Community Editorial at The Telegraph
Rachel brings a newsroom approach to community building, focusing on conversations that reflect audience values. She will share how editorial methods can be adapted for corporate marketing to foster trust and relevance. - Devin Nagy – Global Head of Digital, Tequila at Diageo
Devin will discuss how creator co-creation and digital storytelling are shaping Diageo’s brand building in the tequila category. His insights will help marketers align influencer strategies with brand values for long-term impact. - Joy Allen-Altimare – Chief Marketing Officer at Saucony
Joy will explain how Saucony uses emotional storytelling and inclusive community design to build loyalty, emphasizing data and feedback to refine engagement continually. - Haley Schluter – Head of Consumer Engagement at LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics
Haley will explore how luxury brands integrate subscription models, digital exclusives, and hybrid experiences to deepen emotional connections. She will highlight how monetization can add value rather than create barriers. - Jessica Spar – SVP of Digital at Hunter
Jessica will share strategies for maintaining a consistent brand voice across channels like TikTok, Instagram, web, and email—key for integrating siloed digital experiences.
Marketing Tactics and Tools to Watch
Attendees will gain access to practical tactics for driving community growth, including:
- Sentiment-focused analytics: Tools that track community emotions to inform marketing decisions beyond simple behavior metrics.
- AI-powered personalization: Methods to customize content and offers while respecting data privacy.
- Creator collaboration platforms: Software that streamlines influencer partnerships with transparency and efficiency.
- Integrated customer experience (CX) design: Approaches that align social, CRM, and web teams around a unified customer journey.
Several exhibitors at DMWF will demonstrate platforms that support these strategies, from audience intelligence to AI-enhanced campaign management.
Why DMWF North America Matters for Marketers
DMWF North America is a hub for digital transformation, data strategy, content innovation, and customer experience. With tracks covering AI, analytics, social media, martech, eCommerce, and more, the event delivers both big-picture trends and hands-on tactics.
The “Cultivating Connected Communities” panel reflects DMWF’s focus on practical insights and peer learning. Whether attending in NYC or virtually, marketers from brands, agencies, and platforms will find relevant takeaways to apply immediately.
Join the Shift to Community-Led Marketing
Transactional engagement is fading. Today, connection drives loyalty, advocacy, and growth. This panel offers marketers the tools and strategies to move beyond short-term tactics into building lasting community relationships.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from industry leaders shaping the future of digital community building. Register for DMWF North America on October 13-14 at Marriott Marquis, Times Square, NYC, and secure your spot today.
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