AMA Austin — American Marketing Association

Upcoming · Power Hour

October Power Hour: When Events Go Bump in the Night

Hear marketing horror stories and comeback strategies from Austin creatives at our Halloween-season Power Hour.

Register Now
October Power Hour: When Events Go Bump in the Night

Date & Time

October 23, 2025 @ 5:30 PM

Location

Cabana Club, 5012 E 7th St., Austin, TX 78702

Tickets

$10 Members | $25 Non-Members

Marketing Horror Stories: When Campaigns Go Bump in the Night

Let's face it — marketing can be a nightmare. That brilliant campaign that flopped. The typo nobody caught. The social post that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Yikes!

But here's the thing: how you handle these disasters often says more about your brand than the mess-up itself.

This Halloween season, join Austin AMA for some therapy-by-storytelling with our marketing survivors: Mubaraka Malbari, Katy Ward, and Martín Martinez. They've been through it all and lived to tell the tales!

Whether you're a marketing newbie or a battle-scarred veteran, come laugh, cringe, and pick up some crisis-management tips along the way. Grab a seat (and maybe a drink). These stories are too good to miss!

You'll hear about

  • Epic fails that somehow turned into wins
  • Quick thinking that saved the day
  • Lessons learned (so you don't have to learn them the hard way)

Why attend?

  • Unfiltered stories of marketing “haunts” and how pros handled the fallout
  • Themes of resilience, recovery, and reputation management
  • Time to connect with Austin's marketers, strategists, and creatives
  • Food courts available + one complimentary drink for guests and members

The Voices

Meet Our Panel

Carla Solis - Moderator

Carla Solis

Moderator

Mubaraka Malbari - Head of Marketing, Escapia, Expedia Group

Mubaraka Malbari

Head of Marketing, Escapia, Expedia Group

Mubaraka Malbari

Head of Marketing, Escapia, Expedia Group

Creative, resourceful and analytical brand marketer with experience in sales, brand management, and brand strategy. Passionate about discovering and building purpose-driven, powerful brands through both storytelling and action.

Martín Martinez - Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas

Martín Martinez

Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas

Martín Martinez

Founding & Executive Director, Founder Institute Texas

Powerhouse executive producer, startup ecosystem builder, and sought-after public speaker with 20 years of experience across live events, tech, and culture. He's launched 160+ companies and raised over $2M in sponsorships.

Katy Ward - Brand Building Consultant & Visual Artist

Katy Ward

Brand Building Consultant & Visual Artist

Katy Ward

Brand Building Consultant & Visual Artist

Austin-based brand building consultant focused on helping people feel more human. With a background in copywriting and nearly 8 years as a StoryBrand Guide, Katy brings personalization, CRO, and retention marketing into brands losing their soul to automation.

With Thanks

Our Sponsors

SINC USA

SINC USA

Driving Value Through Industry Insights.

Cabana Club

Cabana Club

Your East Austin oasis offering coffee, dining options, and poolside cocktails.

Interested in sponsoring or speaking at this event?

We're currently looking for organizations and individuals to partner with for our upcoming events. Reach out and we'll get back to you with current options and opportunities.

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