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 Amy Nickin as counsel to Jason Smilovic who will serve as an executive producer of the series “Sam and Twitch.” View Article
June 11, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Alysia Reiner. View Article
June 11, 2021
Law360 mentions Jeremy S. Goldman as counsel to Hasbro. (Behind paywall) View Article
June 11, 2021
Above the Law continues their interview with Jeremy S. Goldman on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Jeremy discusses some of the top IP and legal issues NFTs raise. View Article
June 10, 2021
The Legal 500 praises three of our practice groups: Advertising & Marketing; Entertainment; and Privacy & Data Security. The London-based directory spotlighted fifteen of our attorneys individually: Lisa E. Davis, Daniel Goldberg, Richard Heller, Andrew Hurwitz, Candice Kersh, and Michael Williams. Julie Murray is listed as a “Next Generation Partner” in Entertainment. Christopher R. Chase, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, Brian G. Murphy and Terri Seligman are listed as “Leading Lawyers” in Advertising. Dorian Slater Thomas and Matthew Vittone are listed as a “Rising Stars” in Advertising. Rick Kurnit is in the “Hall of Fame” for Advertising.
June 10, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit who negotiated a deal on behalf of Khaled Hosseini for the novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns” to be adapted into a limited series. View Article
June 4, 2021
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its ongoing guidance on COVID-related labor and employment rules, “What You Should Know about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.” The updates provide crucial information for employers working through their return-to-work plans. Read more.
June 4, 2021
Law360 mentions Brian Maas and Ronald C. Minkoff as counsel to Mary Beth Buchanan and Bryan Cave. Mr. Minkoff is quoted and notes LabMD’s multiple attempts to make a claim against his clients. (Behind paywall) View Article
June 3, 2021
Deadline mentions Victoria Cook and Marcie Cleary as counsel to Nneka Onuorah. View Article
June 2, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Rachel Pegrem who is cast in the upcoming TBS Pilot “Space.” View Article
June 2, 2021
Above the Law interviews Jeremy S. Goldman on his Non-Fungible Token (NFT) practice. View Article
June 2, 2021
Playbill mentions Lisa E. Davis as one of the speakers during the Theatre Producers of Color inaugural Producing 101 course. View Article
May 28, 2021
The Hollywood Reporter included Amy Nickin in its Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys list. View Article
May 26, 2021
Publishers Weekly mentions Lisa E. Davis as counsel to Jessica Nabongo. View Article
May 24, 2021
Variety mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Cliff “Method Man” Smith. View Article
May 21, 2021
For the seventeenth consecutive year Chambers and Partners included Frankfurt Kurnit practice groups & attorneys. The 2021 guide praised our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Privacy & Data Security practices. In addition, 13 of our attorneys are ranked individually. Read more.
May 20, 2021
Business Insider includes Marcie Cleary and Frankfurt Kurnit in their list of the leading attorneys and law firms that represent digital creators across YouTube, Instagram, and other social-media platforms. (Behind paywall) View Article
May 12, 2021
Law360 Pulse quotes Ronald C. Minkoff and Richard Maltz on the Rudolph Giuliani investigation and Andrew Giuliani’s statements on the fight for his father’s law license. (Behind paywall) View Article
May 11, 2021
Sports Business Journal interviews Marcie Cleary for their “What I’m Bingeing On” feature. View Article
May 11, 2021
One News Page shared Wendy Stryker’s article, “New York HERO Act Imposes New Health and Safety Rules on Employers.” View Article
May 10, 2021
Law360 mentions Tiffany Caterina, Marcie Cleary, Daniel Goldberg, Sasha Levites, Tyler Maulsby, Julie Murray and Adam Osterweil’s promotion to partner. View Article
May 10, 2021
On May 6, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed the Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”) into law as a response to COVID-19 safety concerns in connection with New Yorkers returning to in-person work. Read more.
May 7, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Aida Osman. View Article
May 6, 2021
Reuters quotes Caren Decter on placing Kossoff PLLC into a receivership. View Article
May 6, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Dani Shapiro. View Article
May 6, 2021
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