Introduction
Sophie Kornick is a dynamic leader in the global events space, currently spearheading event initiatives for a prominent blockchain foundation. Based in New York, her journey from concert production to experiential marketing and eventually into the Web3 arena showcases a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision. Her work focuses on creating immersive, impactful experiences that bridge technology and human connection, making her a true industry innovator.
Career Journey: From Concert Production to Web3
Sophie began her career in concert production, where she honed her skills in managing large-scale live events. She naturally evolved into experiential marketing, collaborating with major brands like Nike, NCAA, and Walmart. This diverse background provided her with a strong foundation in understanding audience engagement and brand storytelling.
In 2018, she was introduced to the Web3 and crypto industry, sparking a deep interest in decentralization. By 2020, her passion grew, particularly around the utility of NFTs. This led her to found Soko Productions, a full-service agency specializing in large-scale live events and Web3 clients. Under her leadership, Soko executed activations for notable names such as Chase, Solana, Lyrical Lemonade, and Diageo.
Her contract with the Monad Foundation to produce their first NYC pitch competition, Monad Madness, marked a turning point. Impressed by the team's ambitious vision, she transitioned into a full-time role leading global events. The foundation focuses on building a high-performance, decentralized Layer 1 blockchain that maintains full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, a groundbreaking innovation in the industry.
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Defining Innovation in Events
For Sophie, innovation in events is about evoking emotions, building atmosphere, and creating lasting memories. She believes redundancy numbs the audience, while curiosity and experimentation drive meaningful experiences. Her approach involves constantly asking, "What haven’t we tried yet?" to push boundaries and deliver unique value.
She draws inspiration from artists and space builders who manipulate light, sound, and form to alter perception and emotion. Figures like James Turrell, known for his work with light and depth, and multimedia artist Toaster, whose energy fills rooms, influence her creative process. DJ Ca$h Era’s genre-blending transitions and Es Devlin’s immersive installations also challenge her to rethink emotional storytelling in events.
Sophie emphasizes the importance of real-world engagement. Attending diverse events—from sports games and gallery openings to tech conferences—keeps her inspired and aware of endless possibilities. She views innovation as a blend of curiosity, iteration, and active participation.
Memorable Moments and Success Stories
One standout project was the Crocs x Demon Slayer exhibit at New York Comic Con. Despite an ambitious brief and tight budget, Sophie’s team used smart storytelling and design to create a fan frenzy. The activation generated over 3.5 million digital impressions and attracted lines that wrapped around the convention center.
Witnessing such pure excitement in real life reinforced her love for event creation. The palpable energy of attendees waiting hours to experience the space highlighted the joy and privilege of crafting environments that resonate deeply. Moments like these make every effort worthwhile and underscore the impact of well-executed events.
Exciting Tech Advancements
Sophie is particularly enthusiastic about the Monad protocol, currently in its testnet phase. This period of rapid innovation allows teams to build publicly, test new ideas, and receive live community feedback. Being close to such fast-paced evolution is energizing, especially when designing for builders and developers.
On the production side, advances in lighting and LED technology—such as flexible and transparent screens—are pushing boundaries. These tools enable seamless integration of digital design into physical spaces, creating immersive and adaptive environments. The fusion of technology and storytelling represents the next frontier in event experiences.
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Future Plans and Vision
Currently, Sophie is mapping out the year ahead with the Monad Foundation, following a successful APAC tour that included events in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Seoul. These showcases highlighted ecosystem projects and decentralized applications (dapps), fostering technical conversations and collaboration.
Her previous roles focused on building environments of leisure and escapism. At Monad, the goal shifts to facilitating deep technical discussions and real-time problem-solving. This change in objective is creatively stimulating, pushing her to innovate in new directions.
She quotes activist and author Toni Cade Bambara: "The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible." Sophie aims to use her creativity to make mass adoption of decentralized technology irresistible. By crafting compelling events that offer great utility to developers, community members, and consumers, she believes the best blockchain should host the best events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sophie Kornick's background in events?
Sophie started in concert production and moved into experiential marketing, working with brands like Nike and Walmart. She founded Soko Productions, specializing in large-scale events and Web3 clients, before joining the Monad Foundation.
How does Sophie define innovation in events?
She sees innovation as staying curious and avoiding redundancy. It involves experimenting with light, sound, and form to evoke emotions and create memorable experiences, inspired by artists and real-world engagements.
What was one of Sophie's most successful projects?
The Crocs x Demon Slayer exhibit at New York Comic Con generated over 3.5 million digital impressions and long attendee lines, showcasing her ability to blend storytelling with design for maximum impact.
What tech advancements excite Sophie currently?
She is excited about the Monad protocol's testnet phase and advances in lighting and LED technology, such as flexible screens, which help create immersive physical-digital environments.
What is Sophie's future vision for events in blockchain?
She aims to design spaces for technical collaboration and problem-solving, making decentralized technology irresistible through compelling events that serve developers, communities, and consumers.
How does Sophie stay inspired?
By attending diverse events—from sports games to tech conferences—she learns from multiple perspectives and remains aware of possibilities, fueling her creativity and innovation.