Brand Strategy New York
Elevate your brand strategy skills in New York

Making Better Bets: A Field Guide to Product Strategy with Andrew Skotzko
Thu, Oct 29, 11:00 PM“Be more strategic” is advice every product leader has heard. But knowing what to actually DO? That's the hard part. Join us for an early look at *[The Strategy Cycle](https://thestrategycycle.com/)*, the new book from product leadership coach [Andrew Skotzko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewskotzko), which is a practical guide to turning a messy set of research, goals, stakeholder opinions, and competitive pressure into a real product strategy. Andrew frames strategy as a theory of winning, expressed through a cycle of bets. Plans, roadmaps, and goal lists all have their place, but a real strategy gives them direction and makes planning season suck a lot less. Mind the Product founder Martin Eriksson says the book shows you what to do on Monday morning—and “what to do in week 7 when the strategy is quietly falling apart.” Andrew will walk through the two halves of the cycle: **Craft the strategy.** Start with a two-page strategy sketch, distill what’s really going on in your market, name the challenge that matters most, and define why customers will choose you and keep choosing you. Then turn that into a portfolio of bets with a clear line between what’s in and what’s out. **Live the strategy.** Crafting the strategy is only about 40% of the work. The rest is deploying it, keeping it alive when shiny new things start arriving in week two, and evolving it as you learn. You’ll walk away with: * A practical way to frame strategic choices as bets * A starting template for your own strategy sketch * Tactics for keeping strategy alive after planning season ends This session is built for anyone responsible for setting direction in a fast-moving environment. Bring your hardest strategy questions. **Sponsored by:** * **[Askable:](https://www.askable.com/)** the UX research platform that grounds fast product decisions in real human evidence * **[Pendo:](https://www.pendo.io/)** Product Context for your Apps and AI Agents

Designing for a Feeling: MDA, Immersive Experiences & Emerging Technology
Tue, Nov 10, 12:00 AMWhat do you want your audience to feel—and how do you design an experience that gets them there? Join Columbia DSL on Monday, November 9, for an evening with **Nick Fortugno** exploring MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics) as a framework for creating compelling immersive experiences. In MDA, aesthetics refers to the emotional experience of participating: wonder, tension, discovery, connection, belonging. We’ll explore how those feelings emerge through the rules you create, the choices you offer, and the interactions that unfold between participants. Together, we’ll consider: * **Mechanics:** What can participants do? What rules and systems shape their choices? * **Dynamics:** What happens as people interact with those systems and one another? * **Aesthetics:** What does the experience make people feel? Whether you’re working with AI, interactive storytelling, games, or live performance, MDA offers a practical way to connect creative intention with audience experience. Come explore how starting with a feeling can shape what you build. ## About Nick Fortugno **Nick Fortugno** is a game designer, interactive storyteller, and educator. He is Director of Digital Game Development and a Distinguished Lecturer at The City College of New York, part of CUNY, and co-founder of Playmatics. With more than two decades of experience, his work spans games, immersive experiences, and emerging technology. His credits include lead designer of *Diner Dash* and lead interactive narrative designer on *Frankenstein AI*, presented at Sundance’s New Frontier. He also co-founded Come Out & Play, a festival that transforms public spaces into places for play.

Tuesday Board Game Night (400+ Game Library)
Wed, Nov 4, 12:00 AMJoin us every Tuesday for Board Game Night at Play! Hoboken! Whether you are coming solo or bringing friends, our community is welcoming to everyone from complete novices to advanced strategy gamers. 📅 WHEN: Every Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Feel free to arrive as early as 6:00 PM for warm-up games!) 📍 WHERE: Play! Hoboken 1012 Grand Street, Floor 3, Hoboken, NJ 07030 🎲 HOW IT WORKS: • 400+ Game Library: Pick anything off our shelves—from light party games to heavy strategy titles. • Multiple Tables: Attendees break into several groups based on what everyone wants to play. • New Game Unboxing: Every single week, we choose a brand new game to be opened and played the following week! • Who can join: Adults (18+) welcome. Come by yourself or with a group; we'll get you seated at a table. 👉 RSVP now to save your spot at the table! to get a discount go to www.playhoboken.com

Beers & Data
Tue, Nov 3, 11:00 PMWE ARE BACK IN PERSON!

Free Funk Rock Jam Sessions Mondays - Random Strangers Jam at Shrine Harlem
Tue, Nov 3, 1:00 AMBring your instrument. Be a stranger. Join the jam. Mondays from 8-10pm with Random Strangers Jam at Shrine World Music Venue in Harlem! Online RSVPs get priority and in person sign ups start at 7:45pm. RSJ is a fully improvised psychedelic funk rock jam session led by Sky Demetri and his band. Come prepared to create new music on the spot - every 5-7 minutes, half the band takes a seat and is replaced by musicians from the audience, the new group of random strangers jams on a fresh key and concept - and the rotation continues! Join the email list at [RandomStrangersJam.com](http://randomstrangersjam.com/)! All jammers must sign in on the official sign up sheet in person. The sign up sheet becomes available in person 15 minutes before the jam. *Drums, keys, mics, amps, and a PA/DI are provided, please bring all other instruments.*

Media/Advertising Professionals Meet
Tue, Nov 10, 11:00 PMMeet NYC professionals in PR, media/advertising agencies, Ad platforms, Ad measurement, data, analytics and all the tech that powers the world of marketing. PS: * Event is free to attend. No cover, no drink minimums. Each guest will cover their own tab at the bar. * Please sign up only if you plan on attending #noflakes. * Our organizers do this purely for networking. We don’t get any monetary benefits #bekind. * Appropriate profile photo is mandatory.
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