Meet your fellow attendees in this fun and friendly session that sets the stage for the rest of the event! Grab a drink as we break you up into small workgroups and complete a (fun, we swear!) tech-focused icebreaker activity that will inform the agenda and discussion over the coming days. 

Consumers are increasingly relying on AI platforms to research products, evaluate brands and shape purchase decisions. As AI becomes a new layer between consumers and advertising, the flow of intent data, influence and media value is beginning to shift in ways the advertising ecosystem is only starting to recognize. In this talk, Debra will step back from the mechanics of ad tech to examine what AI looks like from the consumer perspective—and what that shift could mean for targeting, platform power and the evolving role of programmatic advertising.

Catch up with fellow attendees over some refreshments and meet with our partners in the Live Exchange.

As generative AI floods the content ecosystem, marketers face a new question: What does “premium” actually mean anymore? The rise of low-quality, AI-generated “slop,” increasing consumer skepticism, and platform crackdowns are colliding with a media landscape where digital video platforms position themselves as the new TV.

In this session, brand, agency, and industry leaders will explore how AI-generated content is reshaping perceptions of quality, trust, and brand safety — and what that means for media investment decisions. How should brands evaluate premium environments in an era of algorithmic scale? What role does measurement play in validating quality? And how do marketers protect brand equity while embracing AI-driven efficiency?

Expect a candid discussion on the evolving definition of premium — and how to navigate it strategically in the age of AI-powered programmatic.

AI isn't stalling because of the technology — it's stalling because agencies are caught between skepticism and hype with no clear path forward. Drawing on survey data from 50+ senior agency executives, David Mainiero, Chief AI Officer, AI Digital, cuts through the noise: why time and talent are the real constraints, how endless pilots become a graveyard for momentum, and why most agencies are handing a massive competitive window to the few who can actually tell a coherent AI story.

He'll show how leading teams have moved from experimentation into real workflows — and why cheaper creative is creating more demand, not fewer jobs. The session closes with a live diagnostic and a challenge: submit your best AI workflow idea.       

The winning submissions will be selected, and the AI Digital Labs team will build those ideas into fully functioning prototype tools within two weeks.

What you'll take away:

• Where AI adoption is actually breaking down — and why
• What separates real operators from teams stuck in pilot mode
• How to turn AI into workflows that drive revenue

Curious how AI actually works in campaign planning and strategy? Stop by our AI In Action Demo blocks for fast-paced, 10-minute live showcases from leading platforms and technology partners.

Each session offers a practical look at how AI — including agentic tools — is being implemented across media planning, creative optimization, workflow automation, and measurement. These are demonstrations, not sales pitches — designed to give attendees a low-pressure way to explore capabilities, see real applications in action, and identify which solutions may be worth deeper conversations.

Drop in, discover what’s possible, and decide who you want to connect with to unlock more value in your planning strategy.

Break bread and catch up on the day with other attendees at our networking lunch. Your chance to take a break, talk shop, or just talk before afternoon sessions.

Catch up with fellow attendees over some refreshments and have another opportunity to meet with our Live Exchange partners and join an Agency, Publisher,  Brand Marketer or Women in Programmatic (hosted by TWIPN-USA) Meet-Up.

Curious how AI actually works in campaign planning and strategy? Stop by our AI In Action Demo blocks for fast-paced, 10-minute live showcases from leading platforms and technology partners.

Each session offers a practical look at how AI — including agentic tools — is being implemented across media planning, creative optimization, workflow automation, and measurement. These are demonstrations, not sales pitches — designed to give attendees a low-pressure way to explore capabilities, see real applications in action, and identify which solutions may be worth deeper conversations.

Drop in, discover what’s possible, and decide who you want to connect with to unlock more value in your planning strategy.

After a full day of navigating the shift to AI in programmatic, join us for The Social Signal — an evening designed to cut through the noise and amplify what matters most: real conversations.

This relaxed networking reception brings together brand, agency, and tech leaders to connect beyond the dashboards, share insights, and build the relationships that power what’s next.

As targeting signals fade, context and creative matter more than ever for performance. Publishers are leaning into environments, formats, and attention mechanics to improve those outcomes. We’ll get into the weeds to learn how to design formats, placements, and shoppable experiences that work with AI‑driven creative systems. Plus, how feedback APIs help buyers optimize creative without compromising UX.

Join us for Speaker Office Hours – your chance to pick the brains of a few of our brilliant presenters in a casual, no-pressure setting. Whether you're looking for clarification, deeper insights, or just want to chat shop, this is your moment. No slides, no scripts – just real talk, good vibes, and maybe a few hot takes. Come curious! Open to everyone!

Curious how AI actually works in campaign planning and strategy? Stop by our AI In Action Demo blocks for fast-paced, 10-minute live showcases from leading platforms and technology partners.

Each session offers a practical look at how AI — including agentic tools — is being implemented across media planning, creative optimization, workflow automation, and measurement. These are demonstrations, not sales pitches — designed to give attendees a low-pressure way to explore capabilities, see real applications in action, and identify which solutions may be worth deeper conversations.

Drop in, discover what’s possible, and decide who you want to connect with to unlock more value in your planning strategy.

As LLMs, agents, and answer engines sit between consumers and content, every brand, publisher, and platform is being forced to rethink how audiences discover information and who captures the value.

In this conversation, Dr. Jon Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer of People Inc., explores how the answer economy is reshaping traffic patterns, content economics, and programmatic monetization, and what it takes to thrive when AI is both your biggest distribution risk and your biggest growth opportunity. Brands, agencies, and publishers can expect concrete frameworks, hard lessons for protecting and pricing their content, redesigning planning and measurement for AI-first discovery, and building workflows to turn intelligence into outcomes across the media supply.

Catch up with fellow attendees over some refreshments and have another opportunity to meet with our Live Exchange partners and join an Agency, Publisher, Brand Marketer or Women in Programmatic (hosted byTWIPN-USA) Meet-Up.