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.
Decrypt quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on charges against Slotie, a metaverse casino accused of selling NFTs that violated state securities laws. Read more.
October 21, 2022
Law360 quotes Tyler Maulsby on how law firms are responding to the increase of lateral moves. Read more.
October 21, 2022
On Monday, October 17, 2022 Jesse Klinger was nominated and confirmed as Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association Commercial and Federal Litigation Section’s Committee on Ethics and Professionalism. Read more.
October 20, 2022
Decrypt quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on the SEC’s investigation of Bored Ape Yacht Club creator Yuga Labs for securities violations. Read more.
October 20, 2022
Law Dork speaks with Caren Decter about the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Lynn Goldsmith case and why documentary filmmakers are focused on the case. Read more.
October 17, 2022
Jeremy S. Goldman is a guest on another episode of Overpriced JPEGs breaking down the SEC investigation into the NFT market. Read more.
October 14, 2022
Deadline mentions Hayden Goldblatt as counsel to filmmaker Beth de Araújo whose feature debut, “Soft & Quiet” has been acquired by Momentum Pictures. View Article
October 14, 2022
Law360 published Ariel Radow and Jordyn Milewski’s article, “Kellogg Ruling Guides On Easing Consumer Labeling 'Beef.'” Read more.
October 13, 2022
The New York Law Journal covers Rick Borden’s move to partner in our Privacy & Data Security Group in its announcement of recent hirings and promotions of New York attorneys. View Article
October 12, 2022
CoinDesk quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on ownership of the intellectual property of an NFT. Read more.
October 11, 2022
On October 3, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it entered into a $1.26 million settlement with Kim Kardashian over her social media promotion of the EMAX token without disclosing payment she received from token issuer, EthereumMax. The matter provides important lessons for advertisers. Read more.
October 10, 2022
Bizcommunity quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum and Daniel M. Goldberg on the release of the second edition of the two-volume set, “Privacy Law: A Global Legal Perspective on Data Protection Relating to Advertising & Marketing.” Read more.
October 10, 2022
The Media Law Resource Center’s MediaLawLetter published Nicole Bergstrom and Molly G. Rothschild’s article, “Judge Finds Virginia Obscenity Statute Unconstitutional and Dismisses Attempt to Have Two Books Declared Obscene.” (Behind paywall) View Article
October 7, 2022
The New York Law Journal speaks with Lisa E. Davis and Terri Seligman on the challenges, inspirations, and their proudest accomplishments related to diversity and inclusion in law. View Article
October 7, 2022
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Josh Radnor. View Article
September 30, 2022
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Oakes Fegley. View Article
September 30, 2022
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Josh Pais. View Article
September 30, 2022
For the 12th year, Crain's New York Business includes Frankfurt Kurnit on its annual list of the 100 Best Places to Work in New York City. View Article
September 29, 2022
The list includes: Christopher R. Chase, Victoria Cook, Lisa E. Davis, Caren Decter, Catherine M.C. Farrelly, Michael P. Frankfurt, Hayden Goldblatt, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, John B. Harris, Richard B. Heller, Richard Hofstetter, Nicole Hyland, Candice Kersh, Brian E. Maas, Richard Maltz, Jeffrey Marks, Kimberly Maynard, Mark Merriman, Ronald C. Minkoff, Brian G. Murphy, Edward H. Rosenthal, Terri Seligman, Barbara E. Shiers, Wendy Stryker, Hannah Taylor, Linda Wank, S. Jean Ward, and Maura Wogan. Aaron Deitsch, Christina Jenkins, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, Jordyn Milewski, and Adam Osterweil are listed as “Rising Stars.” Read more.
September 29, 2022
Law360 quotes Ronald C. Minkoff on the ABA’s ethics committee statement that lawyers representing themselves cannot communicate with another represented person in the matter and instead must go through the individual's lawyer. Read more.
September 29, 2022
The Wall Street Journal quotes Daniel M. Goldberg on how California’s data privacy laws are affecting marketers. Read more.
September 29, 2022
Gregory Boyd and Daniel M. Goldberg are quoted in Cybersecurity Law Report’s article, “Metaverse IRL: Tackling Privacy Amid the Rampant Hype and Burst of Deals.” Read more.
September 27, 2022
Marcie Cleary is a guest on the Media Clips Podcast discussing ways her clients are expanding new media, and exploring the revenue streams that accompany these new opportunities. Listen here.
September 26, 2022
Deadline mentions Scott Goldman as counsel to Hannah Rose May whose comic book Rogues’ Gallery is being adapted into a TV series. View Article
September 22, 2022
Crain’s New York Business covers Rick Borden’s move to Frankfurt Kurnit as a partner in the Privacy & Data Security Group. View Article
September 19, 2022
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