Creating Enterprise Value: AI, Talent, Risk & Growth Strategies for Agency Leaders:
A Business Conference for Agency CFOs, CEOs, Presidents, Managing Principals & Owners
Date:
Thursday, November 19
Time:
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Address:
Frankfurt Kurnit
28 Liberty Street
35th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Program Overview:
This conference is designed to address strategic, financial, operational, and legal issues that can afect agency profitability, valuation, leadership succession, risk management, and long-term enterprise value. Through a combination of expert presentations and executive discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into the opportunities and challenges facing agency leaders in an increasingly complex business environment.
12:00 PM – 12:25 PM
Registration, Lunch and Welcome
12:25 PM – 1:10 PM
AI’s Impact on Agency Processes, Economics, Pricing, and Profitability and Negotiating Agreements With Clients to Address These Issues
Artificial intelligence is reshaping agency operations, economics, client expectations, and risk profiles. This session will examine how agencies can leverage AI to improve eficiency and profitability while addressing evolving contractual and governance considerations.
Topics Covered
What clients to understand about the use of AI, costs and eficiencies.
Intellectual property, ownership and compliance considerations
AI's impact on agency business models and economics
Client expectations regarding AI usage and disclosure
Pitch and procurement pressures
Key contractual protections and risk allocation provision
Governance frameworks for AI review and approval
Speakers: Candice Kersh and Karen Lo (Special Group)
1:10 PM – 1:50 PM
Building an Ownership Culture: Equity Participation & Long-Term Incentive Strategies
Topics Covered
Equity participation structures for key employees and next-generation leaders
Employee Participation Units (EPUs), phantom equity, profits interests, and other incentive alternatives
Balancing founder control with meaningful employee ownership opportunities
Designing long-term incentive programs that align performance and succession goals
Rewarding key contributors without giving up unnecessary control
Roll-over equity particularly in private equity roll ups
Speakers: Wendy Heilbut and Mark Himmelsbach (Episode Four)
1:50 PM - 2:40 PM
Diversification Opportunities, Including SaaS, IP licensing, Investment, and Branded Entertainment
Many agencies are exploring new revenue streams and proprietary assets that can improve growth, valuation, and long-term sustainability.
Topics Covered
SaaS and technology licensing opportunities
Development and monetization of agency intellectual property
Proprietary technology and data products
Strategic investments and ownership interests
Branded entertainment and content ventures
Building value through scalable, non-service-based assets
Speakers: Greg Boyd, Chris Chase and Ben Moskowitz
2:40 PM - 2:55 PM
Networking Break
2:55 PM - 3:55 PM
M&A Readiness, Succession Planning & Deal Structures
Whether you're thinking about growth through acquisition, bringing in an investor, transitioning ownership, or eventually selling your agency, understanding the deal process is critical. This session will demystify how agency transactions work, what to expect during a sale process, and the key deal terms, structures, and negotiation points that can materially afect outcomes for founders and owners.
Topics Covered
Who is buying agencies today and why
Strategic buyers versus private equity investors
What the sale process looks like from start to finish
Valuation drivers and factors that influence deal value
Earn-outs, rollover equity, and other key deal structures
Deal terms that commonly surprise agency owners
Preparing for diligence and avoiding common pitfalls
Building the right advisory team and preparing for a successful transaction
Speakers: Lee Silver, Gavin McElroy and Michael Sidler (Madison Alley)
3:35 PM - 4:15 PM
Talent Risk Management and Employment Issues
Managing talent-related risks has become increasingly challenging, particularly as agencies engage a broader ecosystem of employees, contractors, creators, and influencers.
Topics Covered
Employee versus independent contractor classification
Compensation and payment compliance considerations
California-specific workforce requirements
Background checks and screening practices
Risk management when engaging creators and influencers
Speakers: Wendy Stryker and Tiffany Caterina
4:15 PM - 4:25 PM
Networking & Refreshment Break
4:25 PM - 5:05 PM
Practical Approaches to Contracting, Governance, and Compliance Strategies
As the legal and regulatory environment continues to evolve, agencies must adopt practical operational safeguards that reduce risk and help avoid costly disputes.
Topics Covered
Contracting strategies to mitigate business risk
Risk allocation and indemnification provisions
Ownership and rights-management considerations
Internal governance and approval procedures
Vendor management and oversight
AI governance frameworks
Updating contracts, policies, and workflows to address emerging AI-related risks
Creating practical review processes that reduce liability exposure
Speakers: Matthew Vittone and Andrew Folks
5:05 PM - 5:40 PM
Advertising Technology: Emerging Risks for Agencies
The rapid growth of privacy litigation involving digital tracking technologies is creating new legal challenges for the advertising industry. This session will explore the evolving litigation landscape, the potential exposure of advertising agencies, and practical steps agencies can take to protect themselves and their clients.
Topics Covered
Emerging class action and regulatory risks involving tracking technologies
When advertising agencies may face liability for client websites, apps, marketing pixels, and data collection practices
Allocating risk through client contracts, indemnification, and insurance
Practical strategies for reducing litigation risk without compromising marketing effectiveness
Speakers: Matt Pearson and Caren Decter
5:45 PM - 7:15 PM
Cocktail Reception
Networking reception for agency executives, speakers, sponsors, investors, and advisors.
Lawdragon recognizes eighteen Frankfurt Kurnit attorneys in its 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers guide for 2026. View Article Read more.
February 24, 2026
The LA Daily Journal’s “On the Move” segment announces Matthew D. Pearson’s lateral move to Frankfurt Kurnit’s Litigation Group in the Los Angeles office. Read more.
February 23, 2026
February 20th, 2026 New York, N.Y. — Matthew D. Pearson has joined Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz PC as a partner in the Litigation Group. Read more.
February 23, 2026
Law.com recently published a commentary by Frankfurt Kurnit Partner, Ronald C. Minkoff and Richard P. Swanson, president of the New York County Lawyers Association, examining the Emoluments Clause and the growing concern about its practical enforceability in light of recent meetings between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Read more.
February 19, 2026
IAPP quotes Daniel Goldberg on evolving privacy enforcement trends, emphasizing the significant cost and complexity of responding to high-profile investigations and the challenges companies face in aligning technology with regulatory expectations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Read Read more.
February 13, 2026
Deadline reports that Blumhouse‑Atomic Monster is developing a film adaptation of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn. Creator Hannah Rose May is represented by Frankfurt Kurnit partner Scott Goldman. Read more.
February 2, 2026
The IAPP quotes Andrew Folks in its coverage of Texas’ lawsuits over automated content recognition technology. Read more.
January 26, 2026
The Hollywood Reporter’s “Hitched, Hatched, Hired & Housed” column congratulates Joshua M. Lewin and his wife, Natalya Vasyuk, on the birth of their daughter, Zoya Vasyuk Lewin, on October 11, 2025. Read more.
January 20, 2026
Shoot magazine and Crain’s New York Business reported the news that Joshua M. Lewin was promoted to partner in Frankfurt Kurnit’s Entertainment Group. Read more.
January 14, 2026
Law.com quoted Holly A. Melton in an article on the USDA’s new rule restricting “Product of USA” claims for beef, poultry, and egg products, which took effect on January 1. Read more.
January 13, 2026
January 7th, 2026 New York, N.Y. — Frankfurt Kurnit Klein + Selz, PC has elected Joshua M. Lewin as a partner in its Entertainment Group effective January 1, 2026. He is based in the firm's New York office. Read more.
January 7, 2026
AdExchanger quoted Holly Melton in an article examining the significant privacy and regulatory shifts expected to reshape the digital advertising landscape in 2026. Read more.
January 7, 2026
Holly Melton was quoted in a Law.com in an article discussing the Federal Trade Commission's consideration of a petition to revive the "Click to Cancel" rule. Read more.
December 18, 2025
Frankfurt Kurnit was proud to host Santiago Media’s Seven Aside event on November 18th. Hayden Goldblatt introduced the event for our firm. Read more.
December 18, 2025
The New York Limited Liability Company Transparency Act (the "NY LLC Act") – modeled on the federal Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”)[1] – is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026 (the “Effective Date”). Originally signed into law on December 23, 2023, and amended on March 1, 2024, the NY LLC Act will impose new beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) reporting obligations on all LLCs organized in New York or registered to do business as a foreign LLC in New York.[2] Read more.
December 15, 2025
Canadian Lawyer and The Mad Buzz reported that, after 12 influential years, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum is stepping down as Global Chairman of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA). Read more.
December 5, 2025
Financier Worldwide has recognized Candice Kersh as a 2025 Distinguished Adviser in Advertising and Marketing. Read more.
December 4, 2025
Frankfurt Kurnit has been recognized as a Law360 Pulse Social Impact Leader! This honor reflects our dedication to pro bono work, diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace.
Read more.
December 4, 2025
Wendy Heilbut is a guest on the M&A Mastermind podcast, where she discusses the critical role of intellectual property in mergers and acquisitions. Read more.
December 3, 2025
Cybersecurity Law Report quoted Daniel Goldberg regarding California AG Rob Bonta's $530,000 settlement with Sling TV for CCPA violations related to opt-out processes and children's privacy protections. Read more.
December 1, 2025
Emma Smizer was recently featured as a panelist at GamesBeat Next 2025 and quoted in a GamesBeat article discussing global regulatory compliance and its impact on the gaming industry. Read more.
November 25, 2025
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Spycraft Entertainment, a global production company committed to authentically portraying intelligence and national security stories. Spycraft Entertainment is serving as non-writing executive producers for the upcoming series Entangled. Read more.
November 24, 2025
Shoot magazine and Crain’s New York Business reported the news that Wendy Heilbut joined Frankfurt Kurnit. You can read the Shoot note about Ms. Heilbut here, and the Crain’s coverage, which includes other executive moves, here.
November 20, 2025
Law360 quoted Jacqueline Charlesworth on the controversy surrounding the American Law Institute’s copyright restatement project. Read more.
November 19, 2025
We provide tailored, industry-specific legal updates to our clients and other friends of the firm.
