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Buzzwords & Bubbly: CES Insights and Community Connection

Posted by Luna on Jan. 29, 2026  /  Subscribe 0

From CES insights to candid conversations and new connections, Buzzwords & Bubbly delivered an evening of inspiration and insight. 

Whether you joined us in person or are catching up now, we’re excited to share highlights from a night that captured the spirit of collaboration at the heart of AWM.

Member Spotlight: Mollie Garza (Managing Director, MJGrowth)

We were thrilled to kick off our first-ever Member Spotlight with the wonderful Mollie Garza, who shared how she helped brands successfully navigate CES—one of the most overwhelming industry events in the world.

Mollie’s key takeaways:

• CES success starts with focus: clear objectives, curated audiences, and aligned partners.

• Sports, commerce, content, and AI are rapidly converging as cultural and business drivers.

• Strategic networking works best when approached like a marketing campaign—plan ahead, define your goals, and advocate for yourself.

• Thoughtful collaboration creates value for brands, talent, and partners alike.

Panel Highlights: CES Through Multiple Lenses

Our panelists brought diverse perspectives from agency, brand, and commerce—each offering a unique lens on what CES signals for the future. Hosted by our newest board member, Jeannine Shao Collins. 

Liz Harden
Head of Activation, WPP Media
Liz shared insights from leading client tours across the CES floor, highlighting both the scale of innovation and the continued importance of human relationships—even in a world increasingly shaped by AI and robotics.

Lisa Vortsman
Chief Marketing Innovation Officer, The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Attending CES for the first time, Lisa explored how emerging technologies are reshaping marketing, product development, and consumer engagement. She emphasized the need to balance innovation with empathy, ethics, and human connection—especially when it comes to children and families.

Morgan Chapman
VP, Strategic Partnerships, Fluent
A CES veteran, Morgan underscored the importance of preparation and clear KPIs. Her key message: without a strong game plan, CES ROI disappears. She also highlighted the rapid evolution of retail media, data, and personalization—and the responsibility that comes with it.

Key Themes from the Night

• Preparation = ROI: CES only delivers value when approached with intention and clear goals.

• Technology vs. Humanity: As AI and robotics accelerate, human connection, ethics, and empathy matter more than ever.

• Women in Media & Tech: Progress is being made, but continued advocacy is essential to ensure diverse voices are represented on stages and in leadership.

• Community Matters: Events like this—and the relationships built through them—are what help us grow, learn, and move forward together.

We’re so grateful to our speakers, attendees, and partners for making Buzzwords & Bubbly such a thoughtful and engaging evening. Stay tuned for more events, including future Member Spotlights, panels, and opportunities to connect.

Don’t forget to check out “Culpability” by Bruce Holsinger, as recommended by our board member and moderator, Jeannine! A compelling read that explores questions of accountability and responsibility in our increasingly complex world of AI.

If you’re interested in more buzzwords, bubbly, and bold conversations ahead with AWM, RSVP now for our next event in March, Next Level You, here: https://allwomeninmedianyc.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=91&ts=1765856988

Warmly,
The Alliance for Women in Media NYC Team

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