Group Y (GroupY.co), the pioneering collective dedicated to youth marketing and lifestyle, is entering an exciting new phase with the appointment of Kyrstin Stone as Managing Director. She will spearhead Group Y’s event orchestration, educational pursuits, and community expansion.
Established in 2006, Group Y has produced over 250 nationwide events while cultivating a vibrant virtual and live event community. Group Y co-founder Mark Sperling cites the collective’s legacy of innovation, including 900+ guest speakers spanning business, fashion, music, entertainment, sports, tech, and more. Group Y’s collaboration with iconic events such as ComplexCon, NBA Con, and Something In The Water festival and collaborations with powerhouse brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and K-Swiss have welcomed two generations into a culture rooted in maintaining authentic connections to youth and creative communities.
“We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Kyrstin as she joins the Group Y team,” expressed Mark Sperling, CEO and co-founder of Group Y. “Kyrstin’s impressive track record as an accomplished event producer, astute marketer, and dedicated community builder speaks volumes. I am truly excited about the substantial role she is poised to play in our journey of continuous growth and evolution. With her expertise, we are poised to build upon our remarkable 17-year legacy of organic expansion – transforming from a small collective of brand executives into a vibrant community of tens of thousands. Through our expansive range of events and programming, Kyrstin will undeniably contribute to our mission of fostering connections and facilitating education.”
Kyrstin Stone boasts extensive experience in brand development, marketing, and events, having worked with organizations like Outside Media, Atypical, and Recess. Kyrstin also co-founded Skate to The Polls, a non-partisan movement fusing youth, skateboarding, and civic engagement.
“I’m excited to join Group Y, as my passion for cultivating connections and growth aligns perfectly with Group Y’s ethos. We aim to build upon its legacy together,” remarked Kyrstin Stone. “Launching this initiative and nurturing our community. Uniting emerging brand builders within an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere is key to shaping the future landscape.”
Group Y isn’t stopping at leadership transformation. The collective is embarking on an innovative mission to engage the next generation of brand builders. The 2023-24 calendar will witness various events across the U.S. and worldwide. Simultaneously, a revamped website, www.GroupY.co, will debut, offering an exclusive hub of content and resources for aspiring brand builders. The platform will also foster connectivity and mutual support.
Their first event to kick off their 17th year will be Wednesday, Sept. 27, “Community 101” at the lifestyle brand Skullcandy’s new West Coast offices in Costa Mesa, California. Guest speakers include Brian Garofalow, CEO of Skullcandy; Jessa Williams, founder of Intrsxtn Surf; and Brooklinn Khoury, skateboarder and model.
Group Y’s core principles are diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and networking. The collective envisions an environment welcoming all ages, races, genders, and backgrounds. This commitment aims to fuel creativity and innovation, shaping the future of marketing and branding.
About Group Y
Established in 2006, Group Y is the pioneering nexus of professionals dedicated to Youth Marketing, Lifestyle, and the vanguard of progressive, expressive cultures. We are the originating source of inspiration, where influencers from diverse industries converge to kindle ideas that propel today’s and tomorrow’s leaders and decision-makers. Through innovative events, outreach, dynamic content, and insightful consultation, Group Y crafts a seamless bridge that transcends industry boundaries, streamlining networking efforts and fortifying the junctures where sectors intertwine. Boasting a legacy of over 250 nationwide events, Group Y has nurtured a vibrant virtual and live event community. Our curation extends to over 900 speakers, encompassing business, fashion, music, entertainment, sports, media, tech, finance, and politics. These luminaries share a unique prowess: an authentic connection with youth culture.
