Creating Enterprise Value: AI, Talent, Risk & Growth Strategies for Agency Leaders:
A Business Conference for Agency CFOs, CEOs, Presidents, Managing Principals & Owners
Date:
Thursday, November 19
Time:
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Address:
Frankfurt Kurnit
28 Liberty Street
35th Floor
New York, NY 10005
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.
Hannah E. Taylor is quoted in the Wine Industry Network article covering the panel discussion, "#Ad to Impact: Embracing Responsibility, Empowering Creativity, Expanding Influence," held during Cannes Lions. Read more.
June 25, 2026
Variety highlights Entertainment Partner Victoria S. Cook as one of the invitees to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ newest member class. The 2026 invitee list features some of the year’s most talked-about film artists and industry professionals, including 95 Oscar nominees, acclaimed directors and filmmakers behind top-rated films, top executives, casting directors, artist representatives. Read more.
June 24, 2026
Daniel M. Goldberg is quoted in Privado AI’s report, “The State of Google Consent Mode,” which examines how Google Consent Mode is increasing compliance risk for the top 250 websites. Read more.
June 22, 2026
Deadline mentions Frankfurt Kurnit as counsel to Georgi Banks-Davies, who is on the all women directing team for HBO's Season 2 of Task, the cirticlaly acclaimed crime drama series. Read more.
June 22, 2026
Daniel M. Goldberg was recently quoted in the Cybersecurity Law Report article, “GM Settlement Offers Privacy Lessons Relevant Beyond the Auto Sector.” Read more.
June 22, 2026
Deadline reports that Paul Anthony Kelly of FX's Love Story is set to make his feature film debut in The Housemaid's Secret, the sequel to the box-office hit The Housemaid. Read more.
June 11, 2026
Andrew Folks was recently quoted in the Privacy Daily’s article “Delaware, Pennsylvania Advance Bills on Surveillance Pricing.” Read more.
June 10, 2026
For the 22nd consecutive year, Chambers and Partners has included Frankfurt Kurnit in its rankings of the country’s leading law firms and attorneys. Chambers recognized our Advertising, Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Data Strategy, Privacy & Security practices.They also recognized 21 of our attorneys as industry leaders and included for the first time Christopher R. Chase in Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory law as well as Kimberly M. Maynard as an “Up and Coming” attorney in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets. Read more.
June 4, 2026
Deadline mentions Entertainment Group partner Victoria S. Cook as one of bestselling author Kimberly McCreight’s representatives. Read more.
June 3, 2026
We are pleased to announce that Frankfurt Kurnit partner and Entertainment Group Chair Lisa E. Davis has published her debut book, Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited—and the Fight to Retake Control, released May 19. Read more.
May 21, 2026
The Bizcommunity article mentions Jeffrey A. Greenbaum as one of the featured speakers at "Cannes Rules!" the first ever Cannes event dedicated entirely to advertising law and self-regulation. Read more.
May 19, 2026
Bloomberg Law quotes Daniel M. Goldberg in the article, “States Ready Face-Off Against Congress, ‘Tech Bros’ on Privacy." Read more.
May 18, 2026
Melissa Georges is quoted in the New York Times article, "Officers Sue Affleck and Damon's Company Over 'The Rip' Portrayal. Read more.
May 18, 2026
Marcie Cleary and Julie M. Murray were recently recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as two of New York’s Most Powerful Entertainment Attorneys for their outstanding work shaping some of the industry’s most compelling projects. Read more.
May 13, 2026
The Hollywood Reporter mentions Alan D. Sacks as counsel to Kevin Weaver, president of Atlantic Music Group. Read more.
April 30, 2026
Jacqueline Charlesworth has been named to Billboard Magazine's Women in Music Hall of Fame Read more.
April 20, 2026
Variety’s 2026 Legal Impact Report names Larissa Calva Ruiz, Marcie Cleary, Hayden Goldblatt, Sean Jefferson, Sasha H. Levites, Adam Macy, and Alan D. Sacks, as some of Hollywood’s most influential entertainment attorneys. Read more.
April 8, 2026
Larry Welch, alongside Damian P. Conforti, co‑authored the Hospitality Real Estate Guide for LexisNexis Practical Guidance. Read more.
April 1, 2026
Zachary A. Lewis is recognized as a Los Angeles Magazine 2026 Top Lawyer. Read more.
March 27, 2026
Automotive News quotes Jeffrey A. Greenbaum in an article about the Federal Trade Commission’s announcement on March 13th to 97 dealerships warning them about six “illegal” advertising practices. Read more.
March 19, 2026
Privacy Daily quotes Andrew Folks in the article, “CalPrivacy’s School Platform Action Highlights Opt-Outs, Protections for Vulnerable.” Read more.
March 10, 2026
Privacy Daily recently quoted Andrew Folk’s blog post in the article “CalPrivacy Hits Ford for Opt-Out Friction in Connected Car Sweep Under CCPA.” Read more.
March 9, 2026
Shoot magazine reported that Mattew D. Pearson joined Frankfurt Kurnit's Litigation Group. Read more.
February 27, 2026
Plaigirismtoday.com referenced Brian G. Murphy's article Use of Kurt Cobain Photo in Blog Post is Copyright Infringement, but Nevermind the Damages from our Advertising Law Updates blog. Read more.
February 25, 2026
Bloomberg Law quoted Daniel M. Goldberg in their recent article about how California fined Disney $2.75 million for allegedly failing to fully honor consumers’ opt-out requests under the California Consumer Privacy Act, signaling increased scrutiny of how companies implement privacy rights across devices, services, and systems. The enforcement action underscores regulators’ growing expectation that opt-out mechanisms must work seamlessly and consistently, with technical compliance now under closer investigation. Read more.
February 25, 2026
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