Mark Mitten, chief brand officer for Chicago’s Olympic bid, will discuss the marketing of Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, while Jim Lecinski, central region managing director for Google, will address technology marketing trends at DePaul University’s Marketing 2009 Symposium April 25.

Titled "An Era of Opportunity: Engaging the Consumer" and sponsored by DePaul’s Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG), the event will feature a series of speakers and panel discussions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the eighth-floor Conference Center of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

Mitten will deliver a 12:30 p.m. luncheon address about marketing Chicago—its brand, image and key messages—to the world in support of its Olympic host candidacy. Since its formation in 2006 Mitten has managed marketing and brand strategy for Chicago’s Olympic bid committee, including the production of its official bid videos. He previously worked as a producer for Mark Burnett Productions on NBC’s television show "The Apprentice," with clients that included P&G, Pepsi and Pontiac, and he is a former Chicago principal for the consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

Lecinski, who heads Google’s Chicago operations, will discuss the impact of technology on the marketing toolkit during opening remarks at 10:30 a.m. A seasoned advertising and marketing expert, Lecinski has nearly 20 years of integrated marketing and online advertising experience as well as expertise in brand and creative strategy, marketing analysis and plan development, and consumer insights and lead generation.

The symposium’s breakout sessions will explore issues involving global markets, multimedia targeting of consumers, restoring consumer trust and building sustainable business models.

Panelists include:

• Steve Levigne, vice president, U.S. consumer and business insights, McDonald’s
• Suzanne Martin, senior director, North America marketing, home & networks mobility, Motorola
• Paul Chibe, vice president of marketing, Wrigley
• Neal Stewart, brand manager, Pabst Blue Ribbon & Flying Dog Ales
• Daniel Honigman, senior social media strategist, Tribune Interactive
• Sam Cremin, director of advertising and communications, Molex
• Kevin Cook, managing director of the Chicago office, Edelman
• Garry Rosenfeldt, vice president, marketing strategy, Midas International
• Don Scheibenreif, vice president, marketing strategy; and Erik Engman, interactive media manager, Grainger
• Blaine Ross, vice president business development, Nielsen
• Satin Mirchandani, general partner, Impact Venture Partners
• Vincent Ma, director of marketing, Pink Line
• Michael Stern, director, Zocalo Group
• John Digles, president/senior advisor, Think Tank Advisers
• Eloy Trevino, senior engagement manager, Prophet
• Mark Hodes, former chief marketing officer, Threadless

Ray Whittington, dean of the College of Commerce, and Sue Fogel, chair of the marketing department and other DePaul marketing faculty will introduce the sessions. Co-sponsors include the American Marketing Association, Pressley Jacobs Design, Tasty Catering, That’s Caring and eDoc.

"While the event is open to all professionals, it also is valuable for students studying marketing because it provides direct contact with prominent local marketing leaders who will address practical, real-life issues facing the industry," said Neil Feuling, president of KMG.

The conference fee is $125 before April 17 ($150 after the deadline) for the public; $65 for graduate students ($75 after the deadline; includes lifetime membership to KMG and one future complimentary event entry) and $25 for DePaul alumni and current KMG members ($35 after April 17). For more information and registration, visit www.kellstadtmarketing.com or contact Feuling at (773) 469-0612 or feulingneil@gmail.com

KMG is a community of DePaul graduate students, faculty, alumni and business partners who are interested in learning about or active in the practice of marketing. The organization focuses on providing resources, knowledge and connections to help create successful marketing professionals.