Region: AWNewYork

Picture this: You’ve just landed your dream job.

In a world where negativity often dominates our feeds, a quiet revolution is underway—led by creators who use their platforms to uplift, heal, and inspire.

In a landscape where everyone’s chasing cultural relevance, music remains the most immediate and emotionally resonant signal of what’s next.

With over half of the Gen Z population now shopping inside social apps — and Gen Alpha, raised on ad-free streaming and algorithmic curation, rarely encountering traditional ads at all — the rules of brand engagement are due for a reset.

Cancer affects everyone, fans, players, families, and entire communities.

What does it take to reimagine and revitalize the biggest events in pop culture?

As TV, digital, and mobile continue to converge, performance marketing is entering a new era — one powered by CTV, AI, and cross-screen connectivity. In this conversation, Jay Freedman, VP of Sales at Viant, explores how connected TV has evolved from a branding play to a measurable performance channel and what this shift means for marketers building strategies across every screen.

What separates good marketers from great ones? It’s not just data, creativity, or even strategy — it’s an unmatched understanding of their customers.

Born in a Harlem apartment, now one of the Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies—Elite Media flips the script on what a creative agency can be.

Gaming is no longer a niche pastime, it’s a cultural crossroads where music, sport, entertainment, and storytelling collide.

AI is changing marketing at an incredible pace, from how campaigns are created to how brands connect with customers.

OOH is an unmissable, unblockable medium that connects with consumers where decisions happen, on the sidewalk, curb, and corner.

For more than two decades, the internet followed a predictable logic.

From cult indies to bigger-budget titles, Horror flicks tout a ferociously engaged fandom – reliably making it out to the theaters to prove that being terrified is a dish best served as a community experience.

Gaming isn’t the future, it’s the now. For Gen Alpha and Gen Z, gaming is overtaking streaming and social as the main arena for entertainment, connection, expression and influence.

The landscape of major life decisions has shifted dramatically.

Paramount Pictures has made influencer marketing central to its theatrical strategy, using creators to spark cultural moments and drive box office success.

In this SheFront Interview, attendees will hear from Carol Haynsworth, Global Chair of Interpublic’s Women’s Leadership Network and leader of a groundbreaking new initiative.

Gen Z is rewriting the rules of brand engagement, yet many marketers continue to rely on stereotypes.

This panel will share lessons from a Panera, Digitas, and Variety influencer-driven campaign around one of pop culture’s biggest nights with fashion, style, and croissants.

Every major societal institution has some sort of scam culture in its bones.

What really happens when journalists “go to the dark side” and become publicists—or move into adjacent fields like film or marketing?

From sunsets to passport stamps, travel creators make it look effortless – but the reality is far richer.

How do we define fame in a world where everyone is visible?

What do today’s most innovative creators bring to the table?

This interview explores how the most overlooked part of the consumer journey — the point of payment — can become a powerful lever for building trust and loyalty through seamless, secure experiences consumers can count on.

Proven Q4 Playbook You Can Activate Now Walk away with a simple, actionable checklist of strategies to drive immediate holiday results—no theory, just practical steps you can implement the next day.

In a cola showdown few thought possible, Dr. Pepper surged past Pepsi in market share to become the number 2 in the cola wars, proving that bold strategy, foresight, and relentless creativity can topple even the most entrenched rivals.

The business of influence is no longer confined to social feeds. Creators are jumping from social to securing bigger deals in culture.

At Autodesk, design isn’t just about the software, it’s about the experiences that bring bold ideas to life.

Join the senior marketers from Fidium and creative hot-shop Bray & Co as they share how their partnership has in a short time produced record results for the Fidium business, all centered around a creative approach that broke the category mold and produced one of the most effective campaigns of the year.

Crafting signature, soul-infused moments within brand systems—whether digital or physical—that feel human, compelling, and authentically you.

Memes aren’t just content – they’re a cultural language.

Why does a song from 20 years ago still spark instant emotion – and why are brands tapping into that more than ever?

Learn how Unified Marketing Measurement is transforming the future of retail growth in a privacy-first world.

Public health messaging has long relied on fear and tragedy, but that doesn’t always move the needle, and not every cause can be served by playing it safe.

For four decades Flavor Flav has defined culture and brand authenticity.

Join Loren Brill Castle, founder and CEO of Sweet Loren’s, in conversation with digital media coordinator Ryan Weitz to explore the brand’s swift pivots and creative approach to a recent TikTok naming mishap that resulted in millions of views, a massive sales jump and huge increase in followers. It’s a Sweet Loren’s + RYAN collab.

Is it Time to Redefine the Role? T

Behind some of the most extraordinary projects in the world—from restoring Notre Dame to powering the Olympics—stands Autodesk, the global leader in design and make technology.

Generative AI is moving from buzzword to business driver.

Grammy-winning producer Hit-Boy opens up about his newfound creative freedom, the upcoming projects, and how artists can stay ahead as music and culture evolve.

Forget stale funnels and generic outreach — B2B marketing is undergoing a seismic shift.

This panel explores how brands are driving success with B2B video from trusted networks.

Advertising on the Super Bowl is a big investment and it is important to support and surround it.

Growth is rarely a straight line.

Today’s dining and hospitality space sees thinner profit margins, decreased diner presence, and skyrocketing costs, making it more challenging to not only establish a standout presence, but build a noteworthy brand for the long haul.

The C-suite is transforming, and nowhere is the change more evident than in the evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer.

Smart brand marketers know that in today’s data-driven landscape, emerging platforms such as mobile apps and new AI tools are becoming essential for modern advertisers– and will only be more prevalent in the future.

The MQL isn’t dead – it’s just incomplete. Today’s most effective B2B marketers are supplementing traditional inbound with proactive ABM motions, reading a richer mix of buying signals to reach prospects before they raise their hand.

In a market overwhelmed by machine-generated content, how can B2B brands create content that feels genuinely innovative, human, and worthy of a buyer’s attention?

Video is on track to dominate advertising, with spend projected to reach $220B by 2028—roughly 44% of all ad dollars.

Marketing leaders face unprecedented pressure to deliver growth while navigating AI, data, and culture shifts. .

B2B marketers face mounting pressure. They’re being challenged by the market, their audiences, and the CFO.

The media landscape is evolving faster than ever, reshaping how audiences discover, consume, and interact with content.

In our ‘Under the Spotlight’ series we invite top business leaders for an honest, no holds barred conversation in a relaxed and intimate setting.

As audiences scatter across screens, how can brands break through the noise?

When it comes to money, trust is everything. Many consumers still turn to banks and credit unions over Big Tech, but challenger brands are reshaping what loyalty looks like.

In a world where marketers must respond to impossible deadlines, shifting trends, and constant disruption, challenge is the new normal, and improvisers are experts at thriving in the unknown.

In this fireside chat, we’ll explore the intersection of creators, brands, and AI, unpacking what authenticity looks like when technology can mimic creativity, how cultural movements are sparked in the digital age, and why the future of brand building depends on collaborating with creators who can turn audiences into communities.

AI is rewriting the rules of advertising and media—but what does it mean for your career?

Respect isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a powerful business advantage.

An open and honest conversation that pushes past surface-level inclusion and explores how we can truly shift narratives when we question what we show, how we show it and who gets to tell the story.

Ensemble’s Ian Schafer will sit down with HOORAE founder Issa Rae to examine how recent history is influencing brands’ new role in the entertainment industry’s algorithmic era.

Gen Z is the most visible generation in advertising today, appearing in 93% of U.S. ads and 78% of U.K. ads.

Modern consumers are tired of traditional advertising — and brands are looking for more organic ways to reach them.

Pretty Basic co-hosts (and best friends) Alisha Marie & Remi Cruz Parsons launched their podcast 8 years ago and have since grown into cultural powerhouses, redefining modern media moguls.

Colin & Samir—TIME100 Creators and two of the most trusted voices in the creator economy—reveal what it truly takes for brands to capture attention and stay relevant in a creator-driven world.

Josh Richards and Brianna LaPaglia, co-hosts of the viral BFFs podcast, are redefining Gen Z culture.

AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a tool CMOs and marketers alike must learn to put to work.

Film, television, and streaming remain pillars of culture, but their futures hinge on bold leadership and strategic pivots.

Why relevance, not reach, will define the next era of commerce media

This panel tackles the industry’s biggest brand safety challenges and how outdated tools block advertisers from reaching valuable audiences.

Programmatic access is redefining commerce media.

To answer this question, Red Kite will be hosting a candid discussion bringing together three visionary leaders from diverse corners of the industry—from consumer to B2B and social—to pull back the curtain on the realities of being independent.

This conversation with Alison Moore, CEO of Chief, explores how women are redefining leadership through nonlinear, multi-hyphenate careers.

An honest conversation about where the ad market is in 2025 and what does that mean for growth in 2026.

Media Cartographer / provocateur Evan Shapiro and Creator Pied Piper Shira Lazar are joined on stage by one of the founders of creator platform and film distributor, FilmHub, to unveil their Map of The Creator Economy – sizing the landscape of the next generation of Media.

When PJ Accetturo generated 100mm+ views with a viral, AI-generated ad for Kalshi, production studio Wavelength saw a golden opportunity: Join forces with one of the foremost craftsmen of AI storytelling to turn Hollywood on its head with viral short-form narrative content.

A new study from DISH Media reveals how incorporating deterministic addressable TV alongside traditional TV and streaming can deliver substantial gains in both reach and revenue.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just accelerating ecommerce, it’s rewriting the rules of how decisions get made.

Reflecting on 25 years of rapid change, Advertising Week and Cint partnered to study consumer sentiment comparing the turn-of-the century to now.

As non-alc goes mainstream, design and marketing aren’t just selling a new kind of drink, they’re building the category from the ground up.

In an era of fragmented attention and infinite content, premium video remains one of the most effective tools for marketers to build brands, shape perception, and drive results.

Creativity today is being redefined—not just by AI, but by how we make, learn, and share.

Hunter Prosper, the storyteller behind Stories from a Stranger, joins fellow creators and brand leaders to explore how emotionally resonant, human-centered content can break through the noise—and why advertisers should take notice.

In today’s real-time world, driving long-term brand perception shifts requires designing creative campaigns for media optimization – where every new act of creation becomes an act of data insight creation.

AI is transforming how campaigns are built, but for creators and agencies, the challenge is balancing innovation with authenticity.

The best advertising doesn’t interrupt—it connects.

The rise of AI is reshaping programmatic – but not all AI is created equal.

In a world of fragmented channels and the pressure to prove marketing ROI, brands need to move beyond proxy metrics, simple integrations, and periodic optimizations. This panel reveals how leading brands are unleashing a powerful new combination: next-gen TV measurement and AI.

In today’s world of economic uncertainty, fractured media, and high consumer expectations, CMOs aren’t just brand guardians—they’re growth architects.

The session will explore what it truly takes for creators, brands, platforms, and leagues to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

The Rise of Agentic Marketing: Learn about the future of agentic AI and how it will transform marketing from a pioneer in enterprise data & AI – Vivek Vaidya.

AI’s rise in advertising isn’t incremental—it’s existential.

Quality supply is the foundation that drives better outcomes for advertisers—but with the rise of made-for-advertising sites and ad tech tactics that inflate buyer costs, it’s getting harder to identify inventory that truly meets quality and performance standards.

As the industry shifts toward an AI-first reality, are traditional creative models still built to win?

Stop marketing to outdated segments. It’s likely your audience is built on yesterday’s data.

A journalist, an AI lawyer, a PwC partner, and an AI startup founder walk into Advertising Week — and cut through the noise.

In today’s volatile economic climate marked by inflation, rising interest rates, and tariffs, consumer behaviors are rapidly evolving. Shoppers are seeking more value, and they’re increasingly selective about where they spend their money. Learn how these leading brands attract customers, drive sales, and build long-lasting loyalty, and how you can too.

Join digital stars Chingu Amiga, Paco de Miguel, and Nico Botero from “Los Chicaneros”, alongside Pati Giemza (CEO of StayOnSocial, a leading talent management agency for creators in LATAM), for a dynamic conversation on creating content that speaks to the heart of Latin America and captivates the Hispanic market in the U.S. Discover how their cultural authenticity, bold storytelling, and savvy content strategies are breaking borders, building loyal communities, and inspiring cross-cultural connections.

As media channels multiply and performance demands intensify, traditional advertising execution models are breaking under the weight of manual processes and disconnected tools.

Generative AI allows agencies and advertisers to amplify their creative vision like never before. In this session, industry experts will discuss how agencies can leverage generative AI in their daily workflows to maximize results, and how they can become leaders in the space while building toward the future.

Reach alone no longer drives results. Marketers today must prove impact by combining first-party data with authentic customer connection to build lasting loyalty.

How do you reach 1 in 2 American adults while maintaining an authentic connection?

Transformational change isn’t just possible—it’s probable according to Jacqueline Corbelli—pioneering AdTech founder, UN changemaker, and author of Changemaker: A Modern Playbook for Creating Personal Impact and Transformational Change.

In a fragmented media landscape where consumer attention is fleeting, building a brand that lasts means going beyond campaigns: it means creating worlds that audiences want to live in.

Go behind the scenes of Who Is Watson, Transmission’s debut original documentary, and hear how its creators turned a complex AI innovation into a pop culture milestone.

Today, it’s more important than ever to create engaging IRL experiences, and while Broadway is the OG of in-person magic, it’s getting an upgrade as it stretches experiential possibilities.

With roots tracing back to an initial investment of $500 back in 1982, Vera Bradley has long been known for its iconic patterns and deeply loyal fanbase. But in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape, how does a heritage brand evolve to remain relevant and still resonate with its original generation of fandom perennially?

As the advertising industry continues to evolve, brands are increasingly looking for ways to push creative boundaries while achieving measurable business growth. Creative and media agencies have operated separately and together. What works best??

What does it truly mean for a brand to show up authentically in today’s media landscape?

A discussion on the state and future of journalism, during a time of unprecedented disruption from political shifts, funding challenges, and the growing impact of AI.

Born entirely in the 21st century, Gen Alpha is the largest generation ever and the first generation to grow up fully immersed in digital technology, interactive media, and connection via social media from day one.

The journey to a new home begins with a dream.

Since its inception over 40 years ago, MAC Cosmetics has stood for All Ages, All Races, All Genders.

Modern consumer expectations don’t wait for enterprise transformation timelines. While traditional change management moves in years and quarters, cultural shifts happen in weeks and hours, creating an unprecedented challenge for today’s most iconic brands. A conversation with marketing executives from Alaska Airlines, General Motors, Brooks Running, and goop, all of whom are rewriting the playbook for enterprise transformation in the AI era.

The modern CMO is transforming and expanding – defined by AI’s upending of organizational structures, the unification of brand and performance, and pressure to be both the rational and inspirational voice of the consumer.

Join viral creator, actress, and storyteller Delaney Rowe for an unfiltered look at how she captivates audiences and brands alike with her signature blend of humor and cultural commentary.

Shoppers don’t move in straight lines anymore.

As the traditional players decamp from late-night television, comedian turned media mogul Byron Allen is seizing the opportunity, forging a new business model for the time period–one that promises to be a win-win for all involved.

Execution, Experimentation, and Evaluation—these 3 E’s are turning traditional advertising measurement on their head.

Everyone’s chasing the next big idea—but the smartest brands know the real flex is in the data.

The data is clear: TV ads drive ROAS.

What do BBC’s Bluey, the National Hockey League, and a motion technology startup have in common?

TikTok is shaping a new frontier in marketing—one powered by compound intelligence, the synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence.

Lyft Ads isn’t just connecting top brands with relevant moments – we’re creating them with exclusive, buzz-generating solutions that bridge digital to IRL, deliver product innovation to reach the right audiences and can only be found on Lyft.

In this conversation, Adrian Sutherland and Jeremi Gorman will unpack how displaced fans, shifting loyalties, women’s sports, and even the rise of athletes over celebrities are changing the playbook for marketers.

By bringing fresh creativity and telling brand stories in ways brands can’t on their own, creators have transitioned from product reviewers to true marketing consultants.

Entertainment marketers face one of the steepest challenges, competing with content across TV, movies, and video; social media; and gaming for attention.

Connection today is built in the moments that matter—across screens, shelves, and shared culture. This conversation explores how brands are creating emotionally resonant, consistent experiences that inspire trust and loyalty, meeting consumers where they are—from retail shelves to digital screens.

Today, the world’s bigger stars are no longer just entertainers, but multimillion or even billion dollar brands themselves, as meticulously managed as the media conglomerates that power them.

A candid, future-forward session where Horizon Media’s founder and visionary Bill Koenigsberg and Bob Lord, President of Horizon Media Holdings, unpack the future of media, technology, and business transformation.

A Fireside Chat with Nuria Tarre, Chief Marketing & Fan Experience Officer, City Football Group hosted by Vanessa Perdomo, Bloomberg Sports.

In today’s fragmented landscape, CTV is uniquely home to unskippable cultural moments.

78% of CMOs state proving ROI has become more important in the last two years. But as sales cycles grow more complex, traditional attribution models built for B2C often miss the mark. Faced with mounting pressure to show the impact of every campaign, marketers need clarity on where and how to invest to drive tangible revenue impact.

Sports are a key stronghold for engaged, appointment-based viewing —and with that comes unmatched opportunities for brands. We’ll unpack how advertisers are tapping into the emotional intensity of fandom, using advanced measurement tools to quantify impact across platforms for full-funnel outcomes. From real-time engagement metrics to breakthrough attribution strategies, discover how sports marketing is evolving to deliver both cultural relevance and business results.

From shifting audience behaviors to the latest advancements in measurement, this session will explore how streaming, social, and data are shaping the way brands connect with viewers — and how success is being defined in this new era.

With marketing budgets under increasing scrutiny, optimizing every dollar spent is critical.

In a world where every moment is shoppable, the marketing playbook is being rewritten in real time. Attention is fractured.

Today’s consumers seamlessly move between digital discovery and physical experiences, making it critical for marketers to understand how online engagement drives real-world actions.

From electrifying fans on the field to building a powerful presence as a creator and media brand, Chad Ochocinco has redefined what it means to be an athlete in today’s sports economy.

Facing challenges like economic uncertainty, fragmented shopping patterns, and an increasingly saturated media landscape, it’s critical for marketers to truly understand the impact of every advertising dollar spent.

The industry has long sold the story that some things just can’t be measured – streaming exposures tied to offline purchases, attribution across walled gardens, or brand-building working hand-in-hand with performance.

AI is rapidly transforming how consumers discover, evaluate, and engage with brands.

This 30-minute panel explores how generative AI, shifting discovery habits, and eroding referral traffic are forcing advertisers and publishers to rethink partnerships.

Why choose between speed and accuracy when you can have both?

St. Bonaventure’s GM Adrian Wojnarowski sits down with Pat O’Toole, CMO of Unleashed Brands, to unpack the future of college sports in this era defined by NIL, athlete creators, and the ever-changing collegiate landscape.

Marketers strive to balance ‘Brand & Demand,’ but how to connect and measure?

Success in today’s crowded sports economy is about more than logos on jerseys, it’s about tapping into cultural moments that deepen fan connections and drive business growth.

Research shows that neurodiverse teams foster greater innovation, generate higher revenue, and build deeper cultural relevance.

Right now, marketing is in the midst of a seismic shift driven by AI. Executives overwhelmingly see automation as the key to future growth, and most marketers believe it will make them better at their jobs.

Marketing leaders face mounting pressure to deliver personalized experiences at scale while navigating an overwhelming landscape of AI-powered solutions.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Amazon Ads and Prime Video leadership as they discuss the intersection of premium content and democratized access to live sports advertising.

A new era in sports storytelling is here — and women are leading the charge.

From creator-led ventures to breakthrough performance products and established household names, the business of sports has never been more diverse—or more dynamic.

Community is at the core of everything Taco Bell does.

The rise of women’s sports is undeniable.

AW NYC brings together world-class leaders in the talent and athlete business.

From best-in-class hotels to exclusive airport lounges to curated journeys, travelers today expect more than just a trip, they expect an experience.

What if you could hire the creative minds behind Apple, Nike, Dove, Disney, and Gatorade’s legendary campaigns for any brand, any size, anywhere in the world?

Attention has become one of the most valuable currencies of the 21st century — but are we earning it or just shouting louder?

Today’s travelers are more connected than ever, and so are the brands reaching them.

Marketers aren’t asking for more AI hype.

As AI transforms marketing, Horizon Media is building, not buying, the future.
In this conversation, Domenic Venuto unveils how Blu, Horizon’s proprietary AI-native connected marketing platform, is redefining how brands plan, optimize, and measure campaigns in real time.

Twenty years inside Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Pinterest revealed a fundamental truth: performance marketing is broken for brands.

What do Travis Scott, Daft Punk and Abba have in common?

Want to know everything about the hottest emerging ecosystem out there?

A huge challenge in modern advertising is truly understanding your audience beyond static data.

In this session, Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment will unveil their newest solution to alleviate women’s sports growth challenges: a business intelligence tool powered by Precise and Mondo Metrics to support brands and buyers in making informed investment decisions in the category.

Whether you’re building a network from scratch or scaling an existing program, you’ll gain practical insights into strategy, monetization, measurement, and operations.

There is perhaps no more challenging question confronting publishers than the path forward in the zero-click future of Google’s AI Overviews.