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 Sasha Levites as counsel to Scoop Wasserstein who is producing “The Outfit.” View Article
February 23, 2021
Extreme Reach features Dorian Slater Thomas’ blog post, "SAG-AFTRA New Influencer Agreement." View Article
February 23, 2021
Bloomberg Law quotes Daniel Goldberg on Apple Inc.'s new privacy label requirement for app makers. View Article
February 23, 2021
The Hollywood Reporter’s 7 Days of Deals column mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Melissa Benoist, who signed an overall deal with Warner Brothers TV.
February 23, 2021
The Insider, Fordham Law’s alumni newsletter includes Sean Kane’s recognition in the Irish Legal 100. View Article
February 22, 2021
Law360 publishes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum’s article, “Courts, FTC May Differ on Sponsored Product Reviews.” (Behind paywall) View Article
February 22, 2021
Chambers Global ranks Daniel Goldberg for his expertise in Privacy & Data Security. View Article
February 18, 2021
Law360 quotes Daniel Goldberg on California’s network neutrality stance under the Biden administration. (Behind paywall) View Article
February 18, 2021
Variety and The News Trace mention Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to filmmaker Isabel Sandoval, who made history as the first trans woman of color to direct and star in a film screening in competition at the Venice Film Festival. View Article
February 17, 2021
Media Law International ranks Frankfurt Kurnit as “Tier 1” in its specialist guide of global leaders in media law for 2021. The guide praises Jeffrey A. Greenbaum and S. Gregory Boyd individually. View Article
February 14, 2021
Frankfurt Kurnit is included in World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals for 2021. WTR says, “Frankfurt Kurnit has a fine-grained understanding of the intricacies of complex brand-related matters in the media, entertainment and advertising space, and a well-developed prosecution, enforcement and licensing toolkit to keep companies – especially those whose business success depends on strong brands – in the best possible shape.” Read more.
February 13, 2021
Mic quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on the Britney Spears documentary and her conservatorship. View Article
February 13, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Melissa Benoist. View Article
February 13, 2021
Deadline mentions Hayden Goldblatt and Lee Goldberg who negotiated the adaptation of “Mouthful of Birds” for Amazon Studios. View Article
February 12, 2021
Business Insurance references Edward H. Rosenthal’s blog post about a Utah theme park’s trademark infringement lawsuit against Taylor Swift. View Article
February 12, 2021
Bloomberg Law quotes Tyler Maulsby on the ethical obligations of attorneys in relation to Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP’s representation of Donald Trump and the allegations against the Trump Organization. View Article
February 10, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Nicole Kassell. View Article
February 10, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to author Leslie’s Lehr. View Article
February 7, 2021
The Fashion Law quotes Jeremy S. Goldman on authorship and copyright ownership of photos between models and photographers. View Article
February 7, 2021
Screen Daily and The Wrap list Hayden Goldblatt as representation for the filmmakers of "Cryptozoo" in a distribution deal with Magnolia Pictures. View Article
February 3, 2021
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Clint Coley. View Article
February 2, 2021
Deadline mentions Victoria Cook as counsel to Anne Carey and Amy Nauiokas who will both produce the upcoming feature, “The Pisces.” View Article
January 27, 2021
2020 was a year of monumental change everywhere – including in the interactive entertainment world. As live events went online, more people gathered in front of screens to play, connect and consume than ever before. Developers and publishers responded with new technologies, platforms, devices, games and services. 2020 saw many game-changing legal developments – developments that will continue to affect the industry in 2021. Read more.
January 27, 2021
The Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA) has updated the guide, “Ambush Marketing: A Global Legal Perspective.” The guide summarizes the laws and other rules governing ambush marketing in 69 countries around the world, provides examples of ambush campaigns that have hit the headlines, and discusses recent enforcement actions. Christopher R. Chase assisted with the editing of the guide. View Article
January 26, 2021
Law.com quotes Tyler Maulsby on law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius distancing itself from the Trump Organization. (Behind paywall) View Article
January 25, 2021
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