Digiday Media Buying Summit (original) (raw)

March 12-14, 2025 || Nashville, TN

As 2025 ushers in new opportunities and challenges, Digiday will ensure you stay abreast of the latest trends and strategies shaping the media agency landscape. Join us at Digiday’s Media Buying Summit in Nashville and explore the latest trends shaping the industry.

The Omnicom-IPG merger dominates industry conversation. We’ll explore the potential implications of this unprecedented deal, including arguments for and against consolidation in the face of rapid industry change. We’ll discuss real-world uses of generative AI, explain the promise and pitfalls of retail media, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. We’ll also discuss how to approach programmatic investment, including the need for robust measurement and fraud prevention strategies. And we’ll hit on the continuing blending of brand and performance, media and creative, and talent development and retention.

Join us in Nashville for three days of learning and networking.

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Speakers

See all Speakers

Agenda

1:30 p.m.

Registration Opens

8th Floor Pre-Function

Pick up your badge at the registration desk, Sponsored by Infolinks.

2:00 p.m.

Opening Remarks

Albertine Ballroom AB

Join us promptly at 2 pm for opening remarks and content sessions.

speaker

Michael Bürgi

SENIOR EDITOR, MEDIA BUYING AND PLANNING

DIGIDAY

speaker

Antoinette Siu

MEDIA AGENCY REPORTER

DIGIDAY

speaker

Marty Swant

SENIOR REPORTER, MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

DIGIDAY

2:15 p.m.

The Creator Economy: The Power of Talent & Tech

Albertine Ballroom AB

This session explores the crucial roles of both talent and technology in fueling the growth of the creator economy. We’ll hear from agencies on how they develop the technologies to search for creators, analyze content and brand fits and utilize measurements throughout their programs.

speaker

Amy Choi

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CREATOR MARKETING & STRATEGY

TRADE SCHOOL

speaker

Ebony Haley

HEAD OF INFLUENCER MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS

TRAILER PARK GROUP

speaker

2:35 p.m.

The Great Retention: How Media Agencies Can Attract, Retain, and Grow Top Talent

Albertine Ballroom AB

The media landscape is evolving at breakneck speed, and the war for talent is fiercer than ever. Agencies face unprecedented challenges in attracting, retaining, and developing diverse skilled professionals. This session will delve into the critical issues surrounding talent acquisition and retention, offering actionable strategies and insights for building a sustainable and engaged workforce.

speaker

Justin Roberts

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, CULTURE & INCLUSION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

speaker

2:55 p.m.

How Sargento & Cognitiv’s AI Strategy Is Reshaping CPG Advertising

Albertine Ballroom AB

In this fireside chat, Sargento and Cognitiv will share how they partnered to transform media buying with AI-powered deep learning. Learn how real-time optimizations and in-store data helped shape a smarter, more effective approach to audience targeting and campaign performance. Hear what worked, what surprised them, and how AI is revolutionizing the future of CPG advertising.

speaker

Amy Hudec

RVP, CENTRAL

COGNITIV

speaker

Shawn Walter

SR. MARKETING MANAGER, MEDIA + DIGITAL

SARGENTO

3:10 p.m.

Independent Agencies vs. Holding Companies: Best Practices for Success

Albertine Ballroom AB

Join David Dweck of WPromote and Katie Klein, the new Chief Investment Officer at Omnicom Media Group, for a lively discussion on the relative strengths and challenges of independent agencies holding company shops. Where does scale win out? How does agility trump size? This session will go beyond the traditional debate to deliver a clear distillation of best practices on both sides.

speaker

David Dweck

SVP OF PAID MEDIA

WPROMOTE

speaker

3:30 p.m.

The state of retail media for marketers: How media buyers are scaling and optimizing RMN investments

Albertine Ballroom AB

speaker

Drew Cashmore

HEAD OF STRATEGY

VANTAGE

3:45 p.m.

Adapted Approach to Winning Clients with David Gaines of Media by Mother

Albertine Ballroom AB

The traditional agency pitch is broken. Long hours, exorbitant costs, and often, a focus on flashy presentations over genuine understanding. David Gaines, Founder of Media By Mother, recognized this disconnect and has pioneered a new, more collaborative, and results-driven approach to winning clients. Hear about his methodology and how he’s transformed the pitch process from a high-pressure competition to a strategic partnership from day one.

speaker

Dave Gaines

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & FOUNDER

MEDIA BY MOTHER

speaker

4:05 p.m.

Networking & Coffee Break

8th Floor Pre-Function

Grab a coffee and a light snack before agencies and brands head to the Town Hall.

4:10 p.m.

Town Hall & Challenge Board

Edmondson

Agencies & Brands Only

Join this open and honest discussion to explore the industry’s challenges and opportunities. This discussion will be conducted under Chatham House Rules and will begin with Digiday’s exclusive research and its infamous Challenge Board.

Sandbox Sessions:

4:45 pm: AdDaptive

4:55pm: Instreamatic

speaker

Ted McNulty

VP, SALES

ADDAPTIVE

5:15 p.m.

VIP Welcome Reception

Albertine Ballroom CD

By invite only.

5:30 p.m.

8-Minute Meetings

Albertine Ballroom CD

Round 1!

The 8-Minute Meetings are designed to help connect participants with innovative technology platforms and build valuable business relationships. Please note that pre-registration is required.

6:30 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

8th Floor Pre-Function + Terrace

Cocktails provided by EX.CO

Join us for a cocktail to wrap day one of the summit. Open to all.

7:30 p.m.

Dinner With Strangers

Join fellow industry colleagues for dinner if you don’t have plans.

8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8th Floor Pre-Function

Join us for breakfast before sessions begin.

9:00 a.m.

Welcome Back

Albertine Ballroom AB

Content sessions begin.

speaker

Michael Bürgi

SENIOR EDITOR, MEDIA BUYING AND PLANNING

DIGIDAY

speaker

Antoinette Siu

MEDIA AGENCY REPORTER

DIGIDAY

speaker

Marty Swant

SENIOR REPORTER, MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

DIGIDAY

9:05 a.m.

Fireside chat with Jennifer Brockman of Ally Bank

Albertine Ballroom AB

speaker

9:25 a.m.

Getting Retail Media Right

Albertine Ballroom AB

Retail media’s growth has come fast and furious since the pandemic. But has it been too much in too little time? Because the industry is feeling growing pains, mainly from assertions it’s no longer as effective as it once was, partly because of its growth. This panel of experts unpacks the problems — and how to still wring value out of the channel.

speaker

Neha Nayyar

SENIOR DIRECTOR, LOYALTY, PERSONALIZATION & SHOPPER MARKETING

7-11

speaker

Prerna Talreja

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED INVESTMENT & PARTNERSHIPS

Crossmedia

speaker

9:45 a.m.

Sponsor Session with Warner Bros. Discovery

Albertine Ballroom AB

10:00 a.m.

Investing in Women’s Sports

Albertine Ballroom AB

The landscape of women’s sports has exploded in size and popularity, presenting exciting opportunities for brands. Learn how two leading agencies, MaxConnect and Tombras, are navigating this dynamic market. Gain valuable insights into their strategies for sports investment and discover how to maximize brand impact.

speaker

Alejandro Fuenmayor

CHIEF MEDIA OFFICER

TOMBRAS

speaker

Emma Westcott

VICE PRESIDENT, SPORTS MARKETING

MAXCONNECT

speaker

10:20 a.m.

Boosting Digital Campaign Performance by Unlocking Consumer Intent with Zero-Party Data

Albertine Ballroom AB

This presentation will explore the strategic advantages of utilizing zero-party data to unlock consumer intent, leading to enhanced digital campaign performance. By understanding the specific needs and preferences of our audience, we can create personalised marketing efforts that deliver immersive creative experiences across mobile/desktop and CTV devices. The results speak for themselves: 3X boosts in engagement, purchase intent, overall brand lift and better attention rate.

speaker

Seher Nomani

AVP, ADVERTISER SALES

MCANVAS

10:30 a.m.

The Reunion: How Media & Creative Are Fueling More Compelling Ads

Albertine Ballroom AB

The advertising world has often operated in silos: media planning over here, creative development over there. This fragmentation leads to missed opportunities, diluted messaging, and, ultimately, less effective campaigns. But the tides are turning! In this session, we’ll explore the reunion of media planning and creativity and how this convergence is driving more compelling advertising experiences.

speaker

Corbin Brown

CHIEF TRANSFORMATION OFFICER

GIANT SPOON

speaker

Roberto Alcazar

EVP, MANAGING PARTNER & CREATIVE CHAIR

ONE HORIZON

speaker

10:50 a.m.

Coffee & Networking Break

8th Floor Pre-Function

Grab a coffee and light snack before the Town Hall begins.

11:00 a.m.

Town Hall & Challenge Board

Edmondson

Agencies Only

Join this open and honest discussion to delve into the industry’s challenges and opportunities. This discussion will be conducted under Chatham House Rules and will begin with Digiday’s exclusive research and its infamous Challenge Board.

Sandbox Sessions:

11:30 am: Channel Factory -Winning in Walled Gardens: Transforming Challenges into Brand Impact

11:40 am: 1440

11:50 am: Akkio – From AI to ROI: How to Deliver Stronger Client Campaigns Through Automation

speaker

Bernadette Gil

VP OF SALES

CHANNEL FACTORY

speaker

Justin Canning

HEAD OF SALES

AKKIO

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

8th Floor Pre-Function

All are welcome.

1:00 p.m.

Afternoon Break

Take a break from today’s content, catch up on work, and we’ll see you for 8-Meetings and challenge board at 5:30 pm.

5:15 p.m.

VIP Welcome Reception

Albertine Ballroom CD

By Invitation only.

5:30 p.m.

8-Minute Meetings

Albertine Ballroom CD

Round 2!

8-Minute Meetings are designed to help connect participants with innovative technology platforms and build valuable business relationships. Please note that pre-registration is required.

6:30 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

8th Floor Pre-Function + Terrace

Meet industry colleagues for a cocktail. Open to all.

7:30 p.m.

Dinner with Friends

Grab dinner with friends if you don’t have other plans.

8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8th Floor Pre-Function

Grab a quick breakfast before content sessions begin.

9:00 a.m.

Welcome Back

Albertine Ballroom AB

Meet the editorial team back in the Cascade Ballroom for more content sessions.

speaker

Michael Bürgi

SENIOR EDITOR, MEDIA BUYING AND PLANNING

DIGIDAY

speaker

Antoinette Siu

MEDIA AGENCY REPORTER

DIGIDAY

speaker

Marty Swant

SENIOR REPORTER, MARKETING & TECHNOLOGY

DIGIDAY

9:05 a.m.

Fireside with Samir Balwani, CEO of QRY

Albertine Ballroom AB

speaker

Samir Balwani

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

QRY

speaker

9:25 a.m.

Leading Clients & Investment Activation Across Media Channels

Albertine Ballroom AB

In today’s dynamic media landscape, agency executives face the critical challenge of guiding clients toward effective investment activation across a growing array of channels. This session will equip you with the strategies and frameworks needed to maximize ROI and prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at every stage of the process.

speaker

Diana Brooks

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

THE 3RD EYE

speaker

Sean Clayton

FOUNDER

MYOSIN MARKETING

speaker

9:45 a.m.

Artificial Intelligence & The Use of LLMs for Effective Targeting, Media Buying & Planning

Albertine Ballroom AB

speaker

10:05 a.m.

Innovative Client Acquisition Strategies

Albertine Ballroom AB

Join Tamara Alesi and Jasmine Presson of MediaPlus as they unveil innovative approaches to landing new clients in today’s dynamic landscape. This session will discuss their strategies, moving beyond traditional methods to explore fresh, impactful ways to connect with potential clients and build lasting relationships.

speaker

Tamara Alesi

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

MEDIAPLUS GROUP

speaker

Jasmine Presson

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

MEDIAPLUS GROUP

speaker

10:25 a.m.

Thank You and Key Takeaways

Albertine Ballroom AB

Thank you for joining us in Nashville!

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Attendees

The Digiday Media Buying Summit was an amazing opportunity to connect with likeminded media professionals about the future of advertising and the issues that we are facing in our industry, both internally and broadly.

It’s an event that makes you smarter about media, regardless of how much you already think you know

It was a rewarding experience, filled with informative sessions and great networking opportunities. I made some invaluable connections and walked away from the conference feeling inspired.

OMD

Director, Digital Activation

Venue

The Joseph Nashville

401 Korean Veterans Blvd Nashville
TN 37203

Pass Options

Connect Pass

$3,595

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Best Value

Premium Connect Pass

$5,445

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