Tech Leaders Converge for ADVANCE: Smartly's Flagship Advertising Event in NYC

Smartly this week announced its upcoming flagship event, ADVANCE, scheduled for September 18, 2024, at Skylight at Essex Crossing in New York City. The event aims to bring together industry leaders, brand executives, advertisers, and innovators to explore the future of advertising at the intersection of social media, commerce, technology, and storytelling.

According to the announcement, ADVANCE will focus on the synergy between human creativity and AI-driven innovation, examining strategies that leverage advertising's influence to promote positive social, environmental, ethical, and business outcomes. The event comes at a time when the advertising industry is grappling with rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations.

Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly, emphasized the event's goal of empowering attendees to harness the power of storytelling and creative technology. The conference aims to create advertising experiences that resonate with consumers, drive results, and contribute to a better future.

The event's agenda includes a diverse array of speakers from various sectors of the advertising and technology industries. Notable participants include:

1. Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, who will discuss the company's commitment to innovation in healthcare.
2. Casey Wasserman, Chair and President of the 2028 Summer Olympics and CEO of Wasserman, addressing the potential of women's sports for brand marketing.
3. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, exploring the company's transformation from a toy maker to an entertainment powerhouse.
4. Scott Belsky, Chief Strategy Officer at Adobe, presenting on the future of creativity, AI, and digital experiences.

The conference will kick off with a panel discussion moderated by Smartly CEO Laura Desmond and the Ad Council's President and CEO Lisa Sherman. This opening session will bring together leaders from major technology companies such as Google, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Pinterest to discuss how the advertising industry can address pressing social issues and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

ADVANCE will feature several mainstage highlights, including:

1. A discussion on revolutionizing medicine with Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, and Renetta McCann, Chief Inclusion and Experience Officer at Publicis Groupe.
2. An exploration of women's sports as the next big opportunity for brands, featuring Casey Wasserman and Olympic athletes.
3. A fireside chat with Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, and Kara Swisher, host of the Pivot podcast, about Mattel's journey from toy maker to entertainment company.
4. A panel on the future of digital advertising with CEOs from LiveRamp, Criteo, and DoubleVerify, moderated by Terence Kawaja, CEO & Founder of LUMA Partners.
5. Insights on connecting with today's consumers from Seth Goren of Warner Bros. Discovery and Jonathan Halvorson of Mondelēz International.
6. A keynote by Scott Belsky of Adobe on five transformative waves reshaping creativity and digital experiences.
7. A panel discussion on AI, data, and the future of advertising featuring leaders from major advertising holding companies.

The event's schedule includes breakout sessions focused on creativity and commerce, exploring topics such as content-to-conversion strategies and AI's role in shaping creative excellence. These sessions aim to provide practical insights for industry professionals navigating the rapidly evolving advertising landscape.

ADVANCE will also feature networking opportunities, including a happy hour sponsored by Pinterest, allowing attendees to connect and share ideas with peers and industry leaders.

Key facts about the ADVANCE event

• Date: September 18, 2024
• Location: Skylight at Essex Crossing, New York City
• Organizer: Smartly, an AI-powered advertising technology company
• Focus: Intersection of social media, commerce, technology, and storytelling in advertising
• Key themes: AI-driven innovation, social impact, creativity, and business growth
• Notable speakers: CEOs and executives from Eli Lilly, Mattel, Adobe, LiveRamp, Criteo, DoubleVerify, and more
• Format: Keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities
• Target audience: Brand executives, advertisers, and industry innovators