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.
Law360 mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Hasbro Inc. the toy company that sells Monopoly. Hasbro is trying to block a Croatian company from registering a “Drinkopoly” trademark. View Article
March 11, 2019
Law360 quotes Tyler Maulsby about the fines faced by attorney Tyler Meade for misconduct during a client deposition. (Behind paywall) View Article
March 8, 2019
Gamasutra mentions Gregory Boyd’s speaking engagement “Legal Battle Royale: Not Boring Edition” in their summary of the 2019 Game Developers Conference. View Article
March 7, 2019
Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued two unanimous decisions affecting the rights and remedies available to copyright owners. Read more.
March 5, 2019
Maine Campus quotes Gregory Boyd about challenges video game companies face when seeking to crack down on the recruiting of gamers from right-winged hate groups. View Article
March 5, 2019
The Hollywood Reporter quotes Andrew Hurwitz in an article about the current labor tension between Writers Guild members and talent agents. View Article
March 5, 2019
Deadline and Variety mention Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Josh Radnor who is set to co-star in the Amazon series 'The Hunt.' View Article
March 4, 2019
Here’s what’s happening at the intersection of sports, marketing, and entertainment law as we kick off 2019. Read more.
February 21, 2019
The Media Online mentions the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance third annual advertising law seminar in their media moves section. Jeffrey A. Greenbaum is quoted. View Article
February 21, 2019
Shoot Online quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum about GALA’s (Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance) third annual advertising law seminar. View Article
February 20, 2019
The Future of Privacy Forum published Maria Nava’s article, “Artificial Intelligence: Privacy Promise or Peril.” View Article
February 20, 2019
CNBC shares the complaint filed on behalf of our client Sprint by Kimberly Maynard. Sprint seeks to stop AT&T from using the terms “5GE,” “5g E,” “5G Evolution,” and any description containing “5G.” View Article
February 11, 2019
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter mention Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Sara Colangelo who will direct the film “What Life is Worth” starring Michael Keaton and Stanely Tucci.
February 11, 2019
BizCommunity quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum about the second edition release of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance book “Advertising Law: A Global Legal Perspective.” The book provides an overview of laws governing advertising and marketing in more than 65 countries. View Article
February 7, 2019
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Allison Williams who will star in a survival thriller for STXfilms. View Article
February 5, 2019
The World Trademark Review includes Frankfurt Kurnit in its “The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2019” saying, “Built on the foundations of a top-drawer media, entertainment and advertising practice, the outstanding trademarks and brands group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz turns heads across the industry spectrum.
February 4, 2019
The Hollywood Reporter, New York Post, and MediaPost quote Jeffrey A. Greenbaum on the recent New York Attorney General enforcement action against a vendor of fake social media followers.
February 4, 2019
Lexology recently did a Q&A with Ronald C. Minkoff about hot topic - professional negligence in New York. View Article
January 31, 2019
The Ella Project features Dorian Slater Thomas in their "where are they now?" section. Mr. Thomas volunteered with The Ella Project in 2013. The Ella Project offers pro bono legal assistance for low to moderate income artists, musicians, and grass roots nonprofits in Louisiana.
January 30, 2019
Techdirt mentions the letter signed by Daniel Goldberg that urges the California legislature to make changes to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). View Article
January 29, 2019
Deadline mentions Victoria Cook and Lee Goldberg as counsel to Augustine Frizzell who will direct and executive produce the pilot for Amazon's new comedy "Half-Empty." View Article
January 29, 2019
A raft of legislative changes affect hiring practices, employment agreements, employee classification, training, and more. Here’s a handy summary. Read more.
January 28, 2019
The Hollywood Reporter talks to Victoria Cook about her must-visit restaurant, Red Iguana, while attending the Sundance Film Festival. View Article
January 28, 2019
Last week the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made waves in the online gambling industry with an Opinion interpreting the Wire Act (18 U.S.C. § 1084). In the Opinion, DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel concluded that most sections of the Wire Act are not limited to sports-related wagers and instead prohibit the use of interstate wires for any bets or wagers. Read more.
January 23, 2019
Deadline mentions Victoria Cook as a A-list name speaking at the INTV conference in Jerusalem. View Article
January 22, 2019
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