Challenge
The Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School sought to deepen its industry relationships, elevate visibility for its research and initiatives, and heighten the impact of its annual CEO Summit, an intimate, invitation-only gathering of leaders across retail, fashion, beauty, healthcare and consumer innovation.

Strategy
We reimagined the Summit as an immersive, purpose-led experience centered on meaningful dialogue among influential leaders. Ahead of the event, we hosted an exclusive dinner honoring Tory Burch to set the tone, then partnered with Wharton to curate programming around “Values + Purpose: Leading the Neo-Renaissance,” featuring mission-driven speakers shaping the future of conscious leadership. Designed to feel intimate, energizing and intellectually rich, the experience was amplified through targeted media outreach to extend its impact beyond the room. 

Results
The Summit convened an A-list group of leaders from American Eagle Outfitters, Pfizer, and Revlon, alongside top-tier media such as CNBC, Forbes, and The New York Times. An exclusive WWD announcement of the program and Tory Burch’s recognition generated strong pre-event momentum, with coverage syndicated across more than 120 outlets, including Bloomberg and Yahoo Finance. Together, these efforts elevated the CEO Summit into a signature experiential forum, strengthened Wharton’s influence with industry leadership, and reinforced the event’s role as a premier platform shaping the future of purpose-driven business.