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 CDC recently updated its definition of a close contact as: someone who was within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from two days before illness onset (or, for more asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. Read more.
November 4, 2020
The NYC Bar Association's DiverseCITY Times spotlights Marcie Cleary. View Article
November 4, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Kyle Newman who is directing the first feature film for Buzzfeed Studios. View Article
October 30, 2020
The Fashion Law published Jeremy S. Goldman’s article “Battle Lines Drawn Over Font Copyright Protection” on the copyrightability of fonts. View Article
October 30, 2020
Copyhype shares Jeremy S. Goldman’s blog post “Battle Lines Drawn Over Font Copyright Protection” in their Friday endnotes for October 30th. View Article
October 30, 2020
Law360 mentions Nicole Hyland as counsel to Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP. (Behind paywall) View Article
October 30, 2020
Here’s what’s happening at the intersection of sports, marketing, and entertainment law as we approach Election Day and the holiday season. Read more.
October 30, 2020
Deadline mentions Marcie Cleary as counsel to writer and performer Jeff Wright who recently signed with CAA. View Article
October 29, 2020
Law360 mentions John B. Harris as counsel to the executives who sued Lubbock National Bank over the mismanagement of their employee stock ownership plan. View Article
October 28, 2020
New York State recently issued new tax guidance for telecommuters providing answers to questions about the impact of COVID-19 on their New York State and New York City personal income tax liability. Read more.
October 27, 2020
The Inns by the Sea, which operates hotels in California, is hoping to fast track its appeal of a state judge's August ruling dismissing its suit against California Mutual Insurance Co., by bypassing a midlevel appellate court and seeking immediate review by the Supreme Court of California. The case involves an issue of "great public importance" that is coming up in thousands of similar coverage disputes. Read more.
October 27, 2020
On October 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo extended through January 1, 2021 the New York Executive Order prohibiting the initiation of a proceeding or enforcement of an eviction of any commercial tenant for nonpayment of rent or a foreclosure of any commercial mortgage for nonpayment of such mortgage. Read more.
October 27, 2020
New York City has recently made permanent its Open Restaurant Program. Under this program, restaurants are now permitted to use heating and enclosures, and expand seating to adjacent properties with neighbors’ consent. Read more.
October 20, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Andrew Hurwitz as counsel to Zach Dean whose script “The Gorge” was picked up by Skydance. View Article
October 19, 2020
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Winslow Fegley who is set to star in the upcoming Netflix film “Night Books.” View Article
October 15, 2020
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Marcie Cleary as counsel to stand-up comedians Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman whose series “Flatbush Misdemeanors” was picked up by Showtime. View Article
October 15, 2020
The list includes: Christopher R. Chase, Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Michael P. Frankfurt, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, John B. Harris, Richard B. Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Candice Kersh, Rick Kurnit, Brian E. Maas, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Mark Merriman, Ronald C. Minkoff, Brian G. Murphy, Edward H. Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Thomas D. Selz, Barbara E. Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, and Maura Wogan. Marcie Cleary, Christina Jenkins, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, Adam Osterweil and Rachel Santori are listed as “Rising Stars.” Read more.
October 15, 2020
On October 9, 2020, still grappling with the effects of COVID-19, the Los Angeles Superior Court further delayed the resumption of most civil jury trials until 2021. Read more.
October 12, 2020
Business Insider quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum on Linda Yaccarino’s new expanded role as global chair of advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal. (Behind paywall) View Article
October 12, 2020
LawInSport included Christopher R. Chase’s perspective on how COVID-19 is impacting commercial sports contracts in the US. Mr. Chase notes commercial contracts are being drafted differently than pre covid contracts, with language addressing specific situations. (Behind paywall) View Article
October 12, 2020
Crain’s New York Business quotes Lisa E. Davis on added costs to movie and television productions due to new COVID safety requirements on set. (Behind paywall) View Article
October 9, 2020
One News Page shared Jeffrey A. Greenbaum’s blog post “Facebook Pulls Trump Ads Connecting COVID-19 to the Acceptance of Refugees.” View Article
October 9, 2020
Crain's New York Business includes Frankfurt Kurnit on its list of the 100 Best Places to Work in New York City for the 10th time. View Article
October 9, 2020
Daniel Goldberg is mentioned as part of the 50 privacy professionals who oppose Proposition 24, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) on Eric Goldman’s Technology & Marketing Law Blog. View Article
October 8, 2020
Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter mention Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Allison Williams who will executive produce and star in the upcoming Blumhouse tech horror thriller “M3GAN.” View Article
October 8, 2020
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