Creating Enterprise Value: AI, Talent, Risk & Growth Strategies for Agency Leaders:
A Business Conference for Agency CFOs, CEOs, Presidents, Managing Principals & Owners
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.
The Internationalist speaks with Daniel Goldberg and other GALA members involved in creating the “Global Privacy Law’s Handbook.” Listen to the discussion here.
July 23, 2020
Deadline mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Kamilah Forbes who is set to direct the television adaption of “Between the World and Me” for HBO. View Article
July 23, 2020
On July 17, 2020 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that, with the City entering Phase Four of Reopening on Monday July 20th, 2020, film and television production in the City can restart again in earnest. Read more.
July 21, 2020
Mediaspace interviews Daniel Goldberg on challenges in privacy law and privacy opportunities within the advertising and media space. Watch the interview here.
July 20, 2020
Law360 profiled Daniel Goldberg as a Rising Star in the privacy and cybersecurity fields. View Article
July 17, 2020
Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report includes Victoria Cook for the deals she is closing for filmmakers, directors and on-air talent. The list includes legal professionals who made the biggest deals for entertainment industry clients in the past year. View Article
July 15, 2020
Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report includes Marcie Cleary, Lisa E. Davis, and Deborah Wolfe for their work in the podcast space. The list includes legal professionals who made the biggest deals for entertainment industry clients in the past year. View Article
July 15, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Daniel Goldberg on the California attorney general’s enforcement of the California Consumer Privacy Act. View Article
July 10, 2020
The Daily Star, The Free Press Journal (view article) and Advertising & Media Insider India (view article) mention Jeffrey A. Greenbaum and Daniel Goldberg in their coverage of the International Advertising Association and Global Advertising Lawyers Association’s virtual book launch. View Article
July 9, 2020
Jeffrey A. Greenbaum and Daniel Goldberg spoke during the International Advertising Association and Global Advertising Lawyers Association’s Privacy Laws Handbook launch. Watch the recording here.
July 8, 2020
By Executive Order 202.48 issued July 6, 2020, New York’s remote document execution procedures are extended through August 5, 2020. Read more.
July 7, 2020
On July 3rd, President Trump signed legislation extending the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program until August 8th. Read more.
July 7, 2020
Daniel Goldberg is listed as one of the top Cybersecurity & Privacy attorneys under 40 honored by Law360 as Rising Stars. View Article
July 6, 2020
On March 20, Governor Cuomo issued a blanket moratorium on foreclosure by lenders of any residential or commercial property until June 20, 2020. This protection was extended to August 20, 2020 for those residential or commercial mortgages owned by someone “that is eligible for unemployment insurance or benefits under state or federal law or otherwise facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more.
June 30, 2020
Catherine Farrelly spoke during the “Brands in a Time of Crisis” Marques virtual discussion. Watch to the virtual round table on the MARQUES website. (free to members; €50 for non-members) View Article
June 30, 2020
Here are two important news items for businesses participating in, or seeking to participate in, the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more.
June 30, 2020
Here’s what’s happening at the intersection of sports, marketing, and entertainment law as we enter summer. Read more.
June 29, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to writer-director Michael Maren who is set to direct the upcoming film "Shriver." View Article
June 26, 2020
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Sarah Green who is set to produce the upcoming film “Bum’s Rush.” View Article
June 24, 2020
The Legal 500 recognizes Daniel Goldberg in the “Testimonials” for Cyber Law including Data Privacy and Data Protection. View Article
June 23, 2020
The Legal 500 praises three of our practice groups: Marketing and Advertising; Media and Entertainment; and Cyber Law (Data Privacy and Data Protection). The London-based directory spotlighted 15 of our attorneys individually: Victoria Cook, Jeremy Goldman, Richard Heller, Andrew Hurwitz, Sean Kane, Candice Kersh, Amy Nickin, Hannah Taylor and Michael Williams. Julie Murray is listed as a “Rising Star” in Media and Entertainment. Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Brian Murphy and Terri Seligman are listed as “Leading Lawyers” in Advertising and Marketing. Christopher Chase is listed as a “Next Generation Partner” in Marketing and Advertising. Rick Kurnit is in the “Hall of Fame” for Advertising and Marketing.
June 23, 2020
Last week, the EEOC updated its COVID-19-related guidance for employers, titled What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws. In general, this EEOC resource contains important guidance to help employers implement strategies to navigate the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. In the most recent update, the EEOC answered the question: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), may an employer require antibody testing before permitting employers to re-enter the workplace? Read more.
June 23, 2020
Here’s some news for California employers and employees wrestling with the question of how to return to work. Read more.
June 16, 2020
The EEOC updated What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws. The update contains important new guidance to help employers manage employee requests lawfully while reopening offices and other workplaces. Read more.
June 16, 2020
As the COVID-19 crisis eases, California courts have removed certain restrictions that had been put in place to reduce pandemic-related harm. Read more.
June 16, 2020
We provide tailored, industry-specific legal updates to our clients and other friends of the firm.
