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.
As production companies compete for commercial directors, the directors also struggle with the decision of which company is right for them. With advertising agencies and their clients being tougher about bids, and with the realities of under-funded jobs and lower markups, production company profits are shrinking, leaving a lot less money to divide up. Read more.
August 15, 2004
The Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance featured Claudine Wilson's article "Court Recognizes Patent Protection For Online Pre-Roll Ad Videos". Read more.
July 31, 2004
The Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly warned that it intends to aggressively prosecute advertisers who make deceptive health and weight loss claims. As part of these efforts, the FTC recently announced that it entered into a settlement agreement with KFC Corporation, the owner of the KFC restaurant chain, over allegations that KFC made false claims in its television commercials about the nutritional value and health benefits of its fried chicken. Read more.
July 15, 2004
When a script finally gets the green light from the client, that approval often comes with a catch: the lawyers want you to add some disclosures. After cursing out the lawyers, and worrying that the creative will be ruined, people start asking pointed questions. Read more.
June 20, 2004
If you're like most agency executives, you've probably had the disappointing experience of working with a client in financial difficulty. Today, it is possible for any client - even well-established companies - to experience financial difficulties. Unfortunately, many agencies ignore the risks posed by their clients' finances. Read more.
May 15, 2004
There's good news for companies and individuals seeking to win compensation from unfaithful employees: New York's highest federal court has ruled that disloyal employees must forfeit all compensation received after their first disloyal act. Read more.
April 28, 2004
In a decision that may come as a surprise to many advertisers who rely on "puffery" in order to tout their products as "better," the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus ("NAD") recently recommended to General Mills that it discontinue making a claim in a free standing insert that its Progresso soups taste "better." Read more.
April 15, 2004
Not only did Ralph Nader foil the Democrats' bid for the White House four years ago, but a federal court in New York recently ruled that Nader and his political committees did not violate MasterCard's rights when they parodied MasterCard’s "priceless" campaign. Read more.
April 15, 2004
The day after Janet Jackson exposed one of her breasts during the Super Bowl halftime show, Michael K. Powell, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, announced that the FCC would begin an immediate investigation into the broadcast. Read more.
March 8, 2004
For years, the media has reported on high profile lawsuits involving allegations that celebrities were used in advertising, or for other commercial purposes, without permission. Even after the Dustin Hoffman, Tiger Woods, and Vanna White cases, to name a few, many advertisers, agencies, and production companies still seem to be confused about the "right of publicity." Read more.
February 15, 2004
After another tough year in the advertising industry, with declining profits and fierce competition, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about protecting yourself from legal problems. As we begin 2004, you just can’t afford to make needless mistakes that could end up costing big dollars. Read more.
January 15, 2004
There’s that familiar moment, during a shoot, when someone turns to the producer and says, "by the way, did we get permission to use that [insert name of really important prop here]." With short production schedules, tight budgets, and little understanding about what rights manufacturers have, production companies regularly use props without getting permission. Read more.
December 12, 2003
Black Enterprise Magazine named Lisa E. Davis as one of "America's Top Black Lawyers" in 2003. Read more.
November 11, 2003
Earlier this year, Coors Brewing Company agreed to stop running a television commercial for Coors Light because the Council of Better Business Bureaus said that the commercial violated Coors' own voluntary advertising standards. Read more.
November 1, 2003
A federal appeals court recently ordered Audi of America and advertising agency McKinney & Silver to pay almost a million dollars in damages for using about ten words in one television commercial. Author(s): Jeffrey Greenbaum. Read more.
October 20, 2003
During the 1990's, the New York Dept. of Labor audited many ad agencies and related businesses and forced many of them to re-classify some freelancers as employees. Litigation was used with some firms. The state wants individuals to be covered by unemployment and health insurance so they won't become a burden to the state. Read more.
October 3, 2003
Marketers are increasingly looking to "advertainment" projects in the hope that they will be a more effective way to connect with consumers. These are not run-of-the-mill product placements and ordinary sponsorships, but a hybrid of entertainment and advertising, where the advertiser not only sponsors the project, but has creative control as well. Read more.
September 15, 2003
Entertainment Law & Finance, Vol. 19, No. 5 published Sean F. Kane's article "Securitization May Work Beyond Music Royalty Income Stream".
August 31, 2003
Every company markets its products and services, and substantial portions of company budgets are spent on advertising. Chances are, your company’s advertising programs look nothing like they did even five years ago. The advertising landscape continues to change dramatically, at a rapid pace. It is a challenge to be competitive and keep up with the latest technology, while at the same time managing the risk in your company’s marketing efforts. Advertising compliance is a critical component of a proper corporate compliance program. Author: Jeffrey A. Greenbaum Editor: Carole Basri. Read more.
August 20, 2003
Although it feels like the actors strike just ended, the SAG and AFTRA commercials contracts are expiring again at the end of October. Since we won’t know for several months whether there will be a strike, there are some important things that you can do now to prepare yourself and your clients in the event that union production is interrupted. Read more.
August 20, 2003
In the recent case of Boule v. Hutton, 328 F.3d 84 (2d Cir. 2003), the Second Circuit declined to extend the availability of the Lanham Act to claims for false representation outside the context of mainstream commercial advertising. Read more.
August 6, 2003
Entertainment Law & Finance, Vol. 19, No. 3 published Sean F. Kane's article "Protecting Against Defamation Claims From Docudrama Productions".
June 30, 2003
A jury in Michigan sent shock waves through the advertising industry earlier this month when it awarded more than thirty million dollars to two men who alleged that Taco Bell stole from them the idea of using a Chihuahua in advertising. Read more.
June 15, 2003
Chief Justice Rehnquist cited Christopher Chase's article in the Arthur Andersen v. United States decision (544 U.S. 696) (2005). View Article
March 21, 2003
Black Enterprise Magazine named Lisa E. Davis as one of "Top 50 Black Power Brokers in Entertainment" in 2002. Read more.
December 10, 2002
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