ADVANCE: Moving Advertising Forward

Smartly, the AI-powered advertising technology company, today announced its flagship event for the advertising industry, ADVANCE. Taking place on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at Skylight at Essex Crossing in New York City, ADVANCE will convene industry leaders – brand executives, advertisers, and innovators – at the intersection of social, commerce, technology, and storytelling.

Shaping the Future of Brand Love, Business Growth and Advertising for Good

ADVANCE explores the powerful synergy between human creativity, AI-driven innovation and strategies leveraging the influence and reach of advertising to promote positive social, environmental, ethical and business outcomes. The conference will redefine the future of advertising and creativity, driving the industry towards a new era of innovation, impact, and consumer connection.

“Advertising is a powerful force for connecting with audiences, moving culture and driving action,” said Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly. “ADVANCE is designed to empower attendees to leverage the power of storytelling and creative technology. We want to create advertising experiences that resonate with consumers, drive results, and contribute to a better future.”

ADVANCE will set the stage by bringing together industry leaders from the world’s biggest global technology companies including Google, Meta, Snap, TikTok and Pinterest, under the moderation of Smartly CEO Laura Desmond and the Ad Council’s President and CEO Lisa Sherman to discuss the formula for advertising that does good. This powerhouse opening panel will explore how the industry can help address pressing social issues and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Unveiling the ADVANCE Experience

Mainstage Highlights:

• Revolutionizing Medicine: Global Healthcare trailblazer and one of Barron’s Top CEOs of 2024, Dave Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and Company, in discussion with Publicis Groupe’s Chief Inclusion and Experience Officer Renetta McCann about the company's commitment to innovation and its transformative impact on the global healthcare landscape.
• Why Women's Sports Are the Next Big Play: A discussion featuring Chair and President of the 2028 Summer Olympics, Casey Wasserman, CEO of Wasserman, one of the leading sports and entertainment agencies in the world. In discussion with Olympic athletes exploring how brands can leverage their marketing muscle to champion women's sports and close the gender gap in investment, viewership, and impact.
• Transforming Mattel – A Journey from Toy Maker to Entertainment Powerhouse: One of Time100’s Most Influential People of 2024, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, Ynon Kreiz in discussion with Pivot Host, Kara Swisher, about the company's remarkable transformation and its strategic vision for the future.
• Navigating the Future of Digital Advertising: 3 of the most influential CEOs in advertising technology on one stage. CEO & Founder of LUMA Partners, Terence Kawaja moderates a discussion with public company leaders LiveRamp CEO Scott Howe, Criteo CEO Megan Clarken, and DoubleVerify CEO Mark Zagorski. They delve into key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the digital advertising landscape.
• Mastering Change: Connecting with Today’s Consumers: Industry leaders from media and consumer goods giants Warner Bros. Discovery and Mondelēz International share their insights on overcoming economic challenges and forging connections with today’s consumers. Seth Goren, Group SVP, Subscriber Growth and Media, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Jonathan Halvorson, Global SVP, Consumer Experience at Mondelēz International, offer strategic blueprints for navigating a complex market.
• Creativity, AI and Digital Experiences: 5 Waves of Change: Scott Belsky, Chief Strategy Officer at Adobe delivers an insightful keynote focused on a future reshaped by AI, outlining five transformative waves that will democratize creation, personalize experiences, immerse audiences, elevate human craft, and revolutionize the impact of creativity.
• AI, Data, and the Future of Advertising: A panel featuring advertising industry leaders from Publicis Media, IPG Media Brands, GroupM, and OMD Worldwide, explores the transformative power of AI technology and data on the industry, examining how these technologies are driving innovation and shaping the future of media.

Join the Movement. Visit www.advancesmartly.com to learn more about ADVANCE and secure your spot at this inspirational event.

Together, let's move advertising forward. Smartly, at the intersection of creativity, social and AI-driven innovation, is challenging the conventions of the advertising ecosystem to empower this movement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240822672600/en/