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.
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Sean Gunn, who is set to play the role of evil businessman 'Maxwell Lord' in the new DC Universe. View Article
December 11, 2023
MediaPost quotes Daniel M. Goldberg on United Airlines' reported involvement in the behavioral targeting business. (Behind paywall) View Article
November 27, 2023
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Li Lu, the award-winning writer, director and producer behind the three-part docuseries 'A Town Called Victoria.' View Article
November 20, 2023
American Bar Association quotes Khasim Lockhart on different strategies young lawyers can use to become subject-matter experts in a particular field of law. (Behind paywall) View Article
November 15, 2023
SHOOT Online republished Brian G. Murphy’s article, “The Generative AI Journey Continues." View Article
November 13, 2023
SHOOT Online covers the panel discussion, “Setting a Place at the Table of Content” that featured Jeffrey A. Greenbaum. Read the discussion summary and watch the recording here.
November 10, 2023
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Rochée Jeffrey. View Article
November 7, 2023
Irish Legal 100 named Catherine Farrelly and Sean Kane to their list for 2023. The list recognizes distinguished legal professionals of Irish heritage. View Article
November 3, 2023
The Jewish Link quotes John B. Harris on his involvement in the task force formed by the New York State Bar Association to study antisemitic and anti-Asian hate crimes. View Article
November 3, 2023
Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” ranked Frankfurt Kurnit nationally for “Tier 1” in Advertising, Copyright, Entertainment - Motion Pictures and Television, Litigation - Intellectual Property, and Trusts & Estates Law and “Tier 3” in Commercial Litigation. Read more.
November 2, 2023
Variety includes Amy Bickersteth and Ben Moskowitz on their list of Hollywood’s new leaders. Read more.
November 1, 2023
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Zak Hilditch, director of Stephen King's adaptation '1922' and the upcoming survival thriller film, 'We Bury the Dead.' View Article
November 1, 2023
Cybersecurity Law Report quotes Rick Borden on California’s draft audit regulations. (Behind paywall) View Article
November 1, 2023
Law360 mentions Tiffany Caterina as counsel to Elysium Health. View Article
November 1, 2023
Deadline mentions Hayden Goldblatt as counsel to the producers of “They Follow,” the sequel to “It Follows.” View Article
October 30, 2023
LSE Alumni Class Notes mention Camilla Chan’s move to Frankfurt Kurnit’s Litigation Group. View Article
October 30, 2023
SHOOTonline mentions Jeffrey A. Greenbaum as a speaker in their coverage of the New Directors Showcase. View Article
October 27, 2023
American Bar Association quotes Khasim Lockhart on the complicated issue of giving friends or family legal advice, as it can inadvertently create an attorney-client relationship and lead to ethical risks. View Article
October 19, 2023
Jeffrey A. Greenbaum served as contributing editor and with Kate Patton, co-authored the USA chapter of Chambers and Partners, "Advertising & Marketing 2023 Law and Practice." Additionally, Jeff and Matthew Vittone co-authored the USA "Trends and Developments" piece. The guide provides the latest legal information on advertising law and regulatory bodies; advertising claims, including deceptive claims, substantiation, endorsements, environmental claims and “dark patterns”; comparative advertising and ambush marketing; digital/social media; privacy issues; AI; and product compliance. View Article
October 18, 2023
A federal law taking effect on January 1st 2024, and a New York law awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature, will require certain companies to disclose their beneficial owners to regulators. These are big changes for owners that had previously preferred to remain anonymous. Whom do the laws cover? And what information will need to be disclosed? Read more.
October 18, 2023
Law360 quotes Richard M. Maltz and Ronald C. Minkoff on a secret courtroom meeting that may result in the tossing of a NY manslaughter conviction. View Article
October 16, 2023
AdExchanger quotes Daniel M. Goldberg on the California Privacy Protection Agency's (CPPA) drafted cybersecurity and risk assessment regulations. View Article
October 16, 2023
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Taiye Selasi and Cocoa Content, who are developing the dramedy series, 'Victoria Island' for the global marketplace. View Article
October 16, 2023
Shoot Online republished Brian G. Murphy’s article, “Photographer Cannot Recover Profits Based on the Use of Infringing Image in Advertising." View Article
October 11, 2023
LawInSport mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as an attending organization of their 2023 Global Summit - Understand The Rules Of The Game. View Article
October 10, 2023
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