Jordan Kaye is the founder and CEO of Analog Events, based in Los Angeles. He's also a director on the ILEA International Board of Governors.
How he got his start: "I began my career in public relations and marketing in Los Angeles 20 years ago," Kaye explains. "While working for various firms, I discovered my passion for events. I enjoyed planning events such as product launches, brand activations, and destination trips for media, as it allowed me to create human connections and foster community around an experience."
Building on his background, which included a stint at an event production company, Kaye founded Analog Events seven years ago. "My expertise in event planning and production, combined with my marketing and PR skills, has enabled me to create exceptional and memorable experiences for my clients," he says. "As the owner of Analog Events, I continue to refine my skills in creative trends, management, and client relations while leading my team in producing exceptional events."
What innovation means to him: To Kaye, innovation is all about taking risks, thinking outside the box, and embracing change. "It requires continuously learning, adapting to new technologies and market trends, and taking calculated risks to bring fresh ideas to the table. That's why I make it a priority to stay on top of industry developments and push the boundaries of what is possible."
He adds that capturing attention quickly—and keeping it with engaging and unique experiences—is crucial as attention spans become shorter. "For example, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many brands were resorting to standard mailers, we went above and beyond to create one-of-a-kind at-home delivery experiences for clients such as Peacock, Rothy's, and Athleta," he remembers. "These experiences brought the excitement of an event or activation right to the doorstep of celebrities and content creators, featuring elaborate bar carts with elegant tablescapes, curated Easter egg items and keepsakes, and meals from renowned chefs like Curtis Stone and Daniel Boulud. Recipients documented their experiences from the moment they received their delivery to the final reveal, generating multimillion impressions for our clients."
How he stays inspired: "Since having a child last year, my view on inspiration has been completely transformed," he says. "Before, I found inspiration in my colleagues' work, other events, TV shows, and movies. However, now I see the world through my son's eyes as he experiences everything for the first time. Seeing him discover the joy of playing, exploring books, hearing birds, seeing animals, smelling and tasting things, and experiencing emotions has opened my eyes to new possibilities."
That shift in perspective has reminded him to always approach the guest experience with fresh eyes. "Rather than assuming that we need to go over the top to impress them, I believe that we should consider how someone experiencing the brand for the first time would feel," he explains. "This thoughtful and creative approach can lead to unique and memorable experiences that are more authentic, engaging, and impactful.
His vision for the future of experiential: "While I want to say AI and merging our physical and digital worlds even more, I really think the future of experiential is community," he says. "As humans, we want connection—to connect with others, and to authentically connect with brands. Our goal as marketers, branders, creators, and visionaries is to create experiences in which we can all connect and feel connected to our communities. And, as our company motto states, no matter how digital we become, we still require an analog human connection."
This feature is sponsored by Spiro, the global brand experience agency for the new now. Spiro delivers culture-bending, out-of-this-world live brand experiences that give all your stakeholders a chance to experience your brand long after your event ends.