2026 ANA AI and Technology for Marketers Conference

TIME	EVENT DETAILS	LOCATION
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:00am - 6:00pm	REGISTRATION OPEN	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
7:45am - 8:45am	NONPROFIT AI FOR GOOD WORKSHOP This session is designed to inspire marketers with a bigger vision for AI—one that goes beyond efficiency and into meaningful impact. As nonprofit organizations use AI to tackle urgent challenges, from disaster preparedness to scientific research to poverty targeting, marketers have an opportunity to help translate that innovation into stronger stories, deeper engagement, and more effective fundraising. For nonprofits that are new to AI, the workshop also offers an accessible starting point: a chance to explore practical use cases, learn where AI can create immediate value, and gain ideas they can begin applying without needing deep technical expertise. This breakfast workshop brings together AI leaders and nonprofit changemakers to spark bold ideas, unlock practical solutions, and show how marketing can help mission-driven organizations amplify their reach and results. Session Goals Show how marketers can use AI not just to optimize campaigns, but to help mission-driven organizations create greater real-world impact. Create an energizing breakfast roundtable where AI thought leaders and nonprofit organizations co-develop bold, actionable ideas around real sector challenges. Give nonprofits that are early in their AI journey a practical, approachable entry point by surfacing use cases, ideas, and first-step opportunities they can explore right away. Surface standout insights and solutions that can extend beyond the room through a post-event highlights report for ANA members.	Beau Rivage (IN-PERSON ONLY)
9:00am - 12:00pm	AI MARKETING ACCELERATOR: ADVANCED STRATEGIES, SYSTEMS, AND REAL-WORLD APPL AI is changing every stage of the marketing lifecycle—from research and planning to creative development, activation, and measurement. But most marketers have only experienced AI through isolated tools and individual use cases. This highly interactive, hands-on workshop gives marketers the opportunity to experience what AI-enabled marketing looks like when these capabilities come together. Through live challenges, collaborative exercises, guided AI workflows, and real-world marketing scenarios, participants will explore how leading organizations are beginning to rethink the way marketing gets done. Rather than focusing on prompts or individual tools, this session focuses on the bigger shift: how marketers can combine human judgment with AI capabilities to work faster, think differently, and make better decisions. Attendees will leave with new frameworks, practical skills, and a clearer understanding of where marketing is headed next—and how to prepare for it. What You'll Experience Roleplay using live AI-powered marketing challenges that simulate real-world planning, creative, and optimization decisions Build and evaluate marketing assets using AI across multiple stages of the campaign lifecycle Explore how AI is reshaping research, audience understanding, media planning, and performance measurement Practice working alongside AI as a strategic partner—not just a productivity tool Discover emerging capabilities and trends that are likely to reshape marketing teams over the next 2–3 years Veronica Ripson Head of Learning Experience and Operations U of Digital Shiv Gupta Founder & CEO U of Digital Myles Younger Chief Growth Officer U of Digital	Aria (IN-PERSON ONLY)
10:00am - 12:00pm	BUILD BETTER BUYERS: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR SMARKER MARTECH SOURCING The way marketing organizations buy technology is broken, and vendors feel it too. According to a recent ANA vendor survey, the majority of technology sellers frequently encounter buyers who lack aligned stakeholders, undefined requirements, and no clear decision criteria. The result is MarTech Friction: the compounded inefficiency created by poorly structured buying processes that produce technology debt, tool underutilization, and buyer’s remorse on both sides of every deal. Build Better Buyers is the industry’s first comprehensive, neutrally governed MarTech buying system, and this two-hour workshop is your guided introduction to all of it. Attendees will work through the ANA 5-Step MarTech Sourcing Framework - Assess & Align, Define & Design, Evaluate & Validate, Contract & Implement, and Optimize & Evolve; and get hands-on exposure to the practitioner tools that support each phase. We’ll demonstrate the AI-powered automation tools that we will create to help buying teams define what they actually need before they ever speak to a vendor. A strong lineup of industry experts in MarTech buying, procurement, and operational marketing will share real-world experience navigating complex sourcing decisions and building internal consensus across cross-functional teams. Attendees will leave with access to the full Sourcing Toolkit, a working knowledge of the four alternate sourcing pathways, and a practical action plan for their next technology investment. John Hardy Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA Lana Rainier SVP of Accounts Transparent Partners Danilo Tauro CEO CartographAI	Beau Rivage (IN-PERSON ONLY)
1:00pm - 1:10pm	WELCOME REMARKS Michael Donnelly Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA John Hardy Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA Jeff Minsky Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
1:10pm - 1:40pm	SESSION 1 Speaker TBA Comscore	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
1:40pm - 2:10pm	SESSION 2 Speaker TBA dentsu	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
2:10pm - 2:40pm	SESSION 3 Speaker TBA AdPipe	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
2:40pm - 3:10pm	SESSION 4 Speaker TBA
3:10pm - 3:40pm	NETWORKING BREAK	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
3:40pm - 4:10pm	SESSION 5 Speaker TBA Resonate	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
4:10pm - 4:40pm	FROM PRIVACY LAWS TO AI GUARDRAILS Get an insider’s perspective from a legislator helping to shape the policies that will govern marketing technology. This will be a must-see hearty discussion on turning regulatory challenges into opportunities for innovation. Rather than viewing regulation as a constraint, the conversation will explore how organizations can turn compliance requirements into opportunities for smarter innovation, stronger governance, and more responsible use of marketing technology. Attendees will gain insight into: How emerging legislation is shaping the future of marketing technology and AI What regulators are prioritizing as data use, privacy, and accountability evolve How marketers and technology leaders can proactively adapt to changing requirements Ways to turn compliance challenges into drivers of innovation and trust Christopher Oswald Executive Vice President, Government Relations ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
4:40pm - 5:10pm	SESSION 7 Jeff Minsky Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA David Edelman Executive Advisor Edelman Advisory Services	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
5:10pm - 5:15pm	CLOSING REMARKS Jeff Minsky Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
5:15pm - 6:15pm	NETWORKING RECEPTION	MGM Grand Ballroom Terrace (IN-PERSON ONLY)
Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:00am - 7:00pm	REGISTRATION OPEN	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
7:45am - 8:30am	BREAKFAST`	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
8:30am - 8:35am	PRESENTING SPONSOR REMARKS Speaker TBA Meta	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
8:35am - 9:00am	OPENING REMARKS Bob Liodice CEO ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
9:00am - 9:15am	WELCOME REMARKS Michael Donnelly Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
9:15am - 9:45am	PRACTICAL AI: LESSONS FROM ENTERPRISE DEPLOYMENT AT SCALE The constraint on enterprise AI is rarely the models or technical debt. The real bottlenecks are cultural debt, data readiness, system plumbing, security, and org design. In practice, these factors determine whether AI delivers measurable value or results in expensive demonstrations that never scale. This session is designed for senior marketing and brand leaders who are accountable for AI outcomes and focused on operational reality rather than experimentation. Attendees will walk away with: A practical framework for identifying where AI investment creates measurable business value versus costly proofs of concept A clearer understanding of the true enterprise blockers to scaling AI across organizations An approach for evaluating AI initiatives through culture, data, security, and organizational readiness Shelly Palmer Chief Executive Officer The Palmer Group	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
9:45am - 10:15am	TURNING CUSTOMER INSIGHTS INTO ACTION: WAWA'S APPROACH TO CONNECTED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES Creating meaningful customer experiences requires more than data—it requires the ability to turn insights into action across every touchpoint. In this session, Wawa will share how it leverages customer data, loyalty insights, and marketing technology to better understand customer needs, strengthen engagement, and drive business growth. Attendees will learn how Wawa aligns data, technology, and customer-centric strategies to deliver more personalized experiences while maintaining operational simplicity. The discussion will highlight lessons learned, key success factors, and practical approaches for building stronger customer relationships in an increasingly digital marketplace. You'll walk away with: How Wawa connects customer data, loyalty insights, and marketing technology to drive engagement and growth Ways to balance personalization with operational simplicity at scale Practical lessons for building stronger, more customer-centric experiences in a digital-first environment Doug Martin Chief Marketing & Brand Officer Wawa	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:15am - 10:45am	TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASES: COMPANIES BUILDING THE MARKETING OPERATING SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE The next generation of marketing will be powered by intelligent operating systems that unify data, workflows, AI, measurement, and decision-making across the enterprise. In this fast-paced showcase, leading technology companies will demonstrate how they're helping marketers simplify complexity, accelerate execution, and build the AI-enabled marketing organizations of tomorrow. You'll walk away with: A first look at emerging platforms redefining how modern marketing organizations operate. Practical ideas for simplifying workflows, improving collaboration, and scaling AI across teams. A framework for evaluating which technologies can deliver the greatest business impact for your organization. Michael Ditter Head of AI and Emerging Tech Diageo David Jones Founder and CEO The Brandtech Group	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:45am - 10:52am	FIRESTARTER SESSION: THE AUTOMATION PARADOX: BALANCING AI EFFICIENCY WITH BRAND AUTHENTICITY The final hurdle for enterprise AI deployment is consumer perception. As automation scales, brands risk treading on shaky ground, where hyper-personalization feels like surveillance and AI-generated assets are actively rejected by consumers as canned, lazy or disingenuous. In practice, execution determines whether AI builds deeper customer trust or instantly erodes decades of brand equity. This session is designed for senior marketing and brand leaders who must defend brand authenticity while leveraging AI scale and ensuring customer interactions remain genuinely human and authentic. Attendees will walk away with: Provocative talking points to debate with peers about the fine line between intentional personalization and creepy customer surveillance A clearer perspective on how the current environment’s shaky ground is impacting marketing and why consumers are beginning to reject overly-automated brand communications A critical question to take back to your teams to ensure your current AI initiatives protect, rather than dilute, long-term brand equity and fidelity Steve Bevilacqua Senior Consultant Cella	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:52am - 11:52am	NETWORKING BREAK	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
10:52am - 11:42am	TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASES: COMPANIES BUILDING THE MARKETING OPERATING SYSTEM OF The next generation of marketing will be powered by intelligent operating systems that unify data, workflows, AI, measurement, and decision-making across the enterprise. In this fast-paced showcase, leading technology companies will demonstrate how they're helping marketers simplify complexity, accelerate execution, and build the AI-enabled marketing organizations of tomorrow. You'll walk away with: A first look at emerging platforms redefining how modern marketing organizations operate. Practical ideas for simplifying workflows, improving collaboration, and scaling AI across teams. A framework for evaluating which technologies can deliver the greatest business impact for your organization.	Aria (IN-PERSON ONLY)
11:42am - 12:12pm	THE AI ADOPTION PARADOX: HOW TO GOVERN WITHOUT SLOWING INNOVATION AI is transforming marketing faster than most organizations can adapt. Business units are experimenting with new tools, platforms are evolving rapidly, sales teams are often overselling capabilities, and leaders are under pressure to deliver results while maintaining compliance and consistency. At the same time, AI is reshaping the MarTech stack faster than traditional procurement cycles can respond. This creates a central tension: how do you maintain governance and consistency without slowing down BU-level experimentation already underway? In this session, Kris, executive sponsor of the MarTech COE, shares how his organization is shifting the COE from control to enablement. Instead of owning the roadmap, the COE pools learning from active experiments across business units, including innovation hubs like the PSS Innovation Garage. This allows innovation to stay distributed while the enterprise builds shared frameworks to scale what works. He will also share the COE AI strategy in practice, including Buy vs. Build decisions, the $ per task metering model, and a platform evaluation across Adobe, Braze, and Salesforce. You'll walk away with: How to balance governance and speed in an AI-driven MarTech environment A model for shifting the COE from control to learning and enablement A practical framework for evaluating and scaling AI platforms across the enterprise Blair McCracken Executive Director, Marketing Technology Strategy CVS Health	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
12:12pm - 12:42pm	SESSION 13 Speaker TBA Meta	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
12:42pm - 1:42pm	LUNCH	MGM Grand Ballroom (IN-PERSON ONLY)
1:42pm - 2:12pm	MAXIMIZING YOUR ROI FROM THE AI TRANSFORMATION - LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE BULLPEN TO THE BOARDROOM The marketing industry has navigated multiple generations of disruption, from the commercialization of the internet to the rise of social media, mobile computing, and connected consumer experiences. Today, another transformational wave is reshaping business and marketing. In this candid conversation, a former CMO and General Manager at many iconic brands from start-ups to $100 billion plus and a Board Member/Advisor to several leading companies will share his perspective from both sides of the table. Combining decades of operating experience with current senior level discussions, he will examine how organizations are evaluating the AI transformation, evaluating growth opportunities, managing uncertainty, and preparing for the future. Attendees will gain: Practical learning into what separates organizations that successfully adapt from those that struggle How today's AI transformation compares to previous waves of change What marketers, business leaders, and boards should be doing now to prepare for the future. John Costello CEO Costello Ventures	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
2:12pm - 2:42pm	REIMAGINING THE STACK: HOW DELL IS BUILDING FOR WHAT COMES NEXT The future of marketing technology isn't on the horizon. It's here. And Dell is building for it. When a company the size of Dell makes the strategic decision to reimagine its marketing technology infrastructure for the next era of growth, the ambition is extraordinary, and so are the lessons. In this session, Liana Cave, Senior Director of Marketing Technology at Dell, takes attendees inside one of the most consequential MarTech transformations underway in enterprise marketing today. Anchored in Dell's "One Dell Way" operating model, a sweeping initiative to unify the company's go-to-market approach across business units, Liana will reveal how her team is architecting a new foundation for a fundamentally different kind of marketing: real-time, composable, and capable of personalization at scale. This is a story about vision and velocity. Evaluating what's possible with fresh eyes. Rethinking integration logic for the demands ahead. Choosing agility as a competitive advantage. Liana will share the decision-making framework her team used, the internal alignment it required, and what composable architecture actually looks like when you're operating at Dell's complexity and scale. Whether you're managing a stack of 10 tools or 100, the principles are directly applicable. The future isn't waiting, and neither should your stack. You'll walk away with: The decision-making framework Dell used to reimagine its marketing technology infrastructure for the next era of growth. Practical lessons on driving the internal alignment required to support enterprise-wide MarTech transformation. Actionable principles you can apply whether you're managing a MarTech stack of 10 tools or 100. Liana Cave Head of Marketing Technology Dell	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
2:42pm - 3:12pm	SCALING PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES: ADOBE'S APPROACH TO THE MODERN MARKETING ECOSYSTEM As customer expectations continue to rise, marketers are under increasing pressure to deliver personalized, relevant experiences at scale. In this session, Adobe will share how leading organizations are leveraging data, content, AI, and automation to build more connected customer journeys and improve marketing performance. Attendees will gain insights into how to modernize the marketing ecosystem by breaking down organizational silos and balancing innovation with operational discipline. The discussion will explore practical strategies for improving customer engagement, accelerating content delivery, and maximizing the value of marketing technology investments in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. You'll walk away with: How to connect data, content, and AI to deliver more personalized customer experiences at scale Ways to break down silos and build a more unified marketing operating model Practical approaches to improving speed, efficiency, and impact across the customer journey Hannah Elsakr Vice President, GenAI New Business Ventures Adobe	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
3:12pm - 3:42pm	DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH DATA, CONNECTIVITY, AND CUSTOMER INTELLIGENCE As organizations navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, the ability to connect data, technology, and customer insights has become a critical driver of growth. In this session, Verizon Business Group will share how it is leveraging data-driven decision-making, advanced technologies, and customer intelligence to create more seamless experiences and stronger business outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into the strategies, partnerships, and operational frameworks that enable organizations to break down silos, improve customer engagement, and accelerate digital transformation. The discussion will explore practical lessons learned and emerging opportunities at the intersection of connectivity, data, and marketing innovation. You'll walk away with: How Verizon connects data, technology, and customer intelligence to drive growth and experience Strategies for breaking down silos to enable more seamless customer engagement Practical lessons for accelerating digital transformation through connectivity and marketing innovation Kris Narayanan Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer Verizon Business Group	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
3:42pm - 3:49pm	SESSION 18: FIRESTARTER Speaker TBA Wripple	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
3:49pm - 4:19pm	NETWORKING BREAK	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
4:19pm - 4:49pm	FINANCE, FOOTBALL & AI: MARKETING WHEN ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS AI is transforming marketing at a rapid pace, but in highly regulated industries like financial services, the stakes leave little room for error. U.S. Bank must navigate strict banking regulations, the visibility of its NFL sponsorship, and increasing pressure to adopt AI responsibly across its marketing organization. In this session, U.S. Bank and Supergood will explore the strategy behind the award-winning “The Power of Us” campaign, the evolution of the bank’s NFL partnership, and Financial Edge—a customized financial guidance program built for NFL players. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at how AI-enabled strategy, creativity, and execution can scale within a highly governed environment without compromising compliance, contractual requirements, or creative integrity. You'll walk away with: How U.S. Bank balances innovation, regulation, and high-visibility brand partnerships How AI is being integrated into strategy and creative workflows in a controlled, responsible way Practical lessons for scaling marketing innovation in environments where accountability is non-negotiable Brooke Brown SVP, Head of Brand and Creative U.S. Bank John Elder Co-Founder and CEO Supergood	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
4:49pm - 5:19pm	SESSION 20 Speaker TBA Disney	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
5:19pm - 5:54pm	MARTECH EXCELLENCE: THE 2026 MARTECH MASTERY AWARDS WINNERS SHOWCASE Marketing technology is transforming modern marketing, and the people behind it are shaping what comes next. Join us as we celebrate the winners of the 2026 MarTech Mastery Awards and recognize the leaders, teams, and organizations setting new standards for innovation, execution, and measurable impact. In this session, you'll meet the innovators advancing the marketing technology discipline as we unveil the winners of the second annual MarTech Mastery Awards. Hear the stories behind their breakthrough achievements, the challenges they overcame, and the strategies that fueled their success. You'll walk away with: Insights into the award-winning initiatives and technologies driving measurable business impact Lessons learned from organizations leading marketing transformation and operational excellence Inspiration and practical ideas for advancing innovation within your own organization A look at the emerging trends and best practices shaping the future of marketing technology John Hardy Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
5:30pm - 6:30pm	NETWORKING RECEPTION	MGM Grand Ballroom Terrace (IN-PERSON ONLY)
Friday, September 25, 2026
7:00am - 10:00am	REGISTRATION OPEN	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
7:45am - 8:30am	BREAKFAST	MGM Grand Ballroom (IN-PERSON ONLY)
8:30am - 8:35am	WELCOME REMARKS Michael Donnelly Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
8:35am - 9:05am	SESSION 22 Speaker TBA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
9:05am - 9:35am	ALICE IN AGENTLAND: SELL-SIDE VS. BUY-SIDE AGENTS AI agents are reshaping marketing on both sides of the looking glass. On the sell side, marketers are deploying agents that can create, personalize, analyze, orchestrate, and optimize at unprecedented speed. On the buy side, customers—and the agents acting on their behalf—are changing how discovery, evaluation, negotiation, and purchasing decisions happen. In this session, Scott Brinker will explore the emerging world of sell-side versus buy-side agents, why marketers may need to run faster just to stay in place, and what it takes to thrive in this new Agentland. You'll walk away with: How sell-side and buy-side agents are transforming the marketing landscape The implications of AI-powered buyers for customer engagement and go-to-market strategies Practical ways marketers can prepare for an increasingly agent-driven future Scott Brinker Analyst & Advisor chiefmartec	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
9:35am - 10:05am	THE THREE UNLOCKS TO SCALE AI IN MARKETING In this session, Jim Lecinski shares the three critical unlocks for marketers to scale AI from scattered experiments into measurable impact. Grounded in the research behind his book The AI Marketing Canvas, this talk cuts through the hype to highlight what leading companies do differently to move faster, reduce risk, and improve return. Attendees will gain practical takeaways they can apply immediately to focus their teams, accelerate progress, and scale AI responsibly. You'll walk away with: The three key unlocks for moving from AI experimentation to measurable impact How leading companies are operationalizing AI to drive speed, efficiency, and ROI Practical steps to focus teams and scale AI initiatives with greater confidence and control Jim Lecinski Clinical Professor of Marketing Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:05am - 10:35am	SESSION 25 Speaker TBA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:35am - 10:42am	SESSION 26: FIRESTARTER Speaker TBA OpenX	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
10:42am - 11:00am	NETWORKING BREAK	MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)
11:00am - 11:30am	LEADING THROUGH THE AI ERA: HOW MARTECH LEADERS ARE BUILDING FOR WHAT'S NEXT Artificial intelligence is no longer a future-state consideration for marketing technology leaders, it is the present-day operating reality. But knowing AI matters and knowing how to lead through it are two very different things. The hard work is happening now; integrating AI into existing stacks, standing up the governance frameworks to manage it responsibly, building the infrastructure to scale it, and developing the organizational muscle to sustain it. This panel brings together members of the ANA MarTech Leadership Council, a group of senior practitioners who sit at the intersection of marketing, technology, and business transformation; for a candid, practitioner-level conversation about what it actually takes to lead in the AI era. They will share how their organizations are approaching AI integration within the martech stack, what governance models are emerging to manage risk and ensure accountability, and how they are thinking about infrastructure decisions and consumption management as AI workloads grow. Equally important, this conversation will go beyond the technology to address the human dimension of AI leadership; how do you build the right skills, develop new team structures, and design operating models that position your organization not just to adopt AI, but to lead with it? If you are a marketing technology leader navigating the complexity, the opportunity, and the accountability that comes with AI at scale, this panel will deliver the peer perspective and practical insight you need to move forward with confidence. Moderator: John Hardy Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA Chris Vitti Senior Director, Head of Marketing Technology The Cigna Group Additional panelists to be announced soon.	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
11:30am - 12:00pm	SESSION 28 Speaker TBA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
12:00pm - 12:30pm	AI IS TRANSFORMING ADVERTISING—BUT WHO’S PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION? AI is rapidly reshaping the advertising landscape, redefining how brands operate, how creativity is produced, and how results are delivered. According to the latest AEF/MSU Expectations in Advertising Education research, faculty and industry professionals agree on one key point: AI is transforming advertising. However, they diverge when it comes to the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to prepare the next generation of talent. So how do we close this gap and what capabilities matter most in an AI powered marketing ecosystem? In this session, leading educators and industry practitioners will unpack findings from this landmark research and explore how academia and industry can better align. Panelists will share perspectives on the evolving role of AI in marketing, the skills that will define future success, and actionable strategies to ensure both students and current teams are prepared to thrive in an AI driven environment. You'll walk away with: Where educators and industry professionals agree and where they diverge on AI readiness The emerging skills and capabilities needed in an AI powered advertising ecosystem Practical ways to better align academia and industry to build a future ready workforce Christine Guilfoyle President AEF Alex Wyllie Director of Global Demand Strategy IBM Harry Kargman Founder & CEO Kargo Maggie Bellew Managing Director and Head of Search & Paid Social JPMorganChase	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)
12:30pm - 12:35pm	CLOSING REMARKS Michael Donnelly Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA	MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

7:00am
- 6:00pm

REGISTRATION OPEN

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

7:45am
- 8:45am

NONPROFIT AI FOR GOOD WORKSHOP

This session is designed to inspire marketers with a bigger vision for AI—one that goes beyond efficiency and into meaningful impact. As nonprofit organizations use AI to tackle urgent challenges, from disaster preparedness to scientific research to poverty targeting, marketers have an opportunity to help translate that innovation into stronger stories, deeper engagement, and more effective fundraising. For nonprofits that are new to AI, the workshop also offers an accessible starting point: a chance to explore practical use cases, learn where AI can create immediate value, and gain ideas they can begin applying without needing deep technical expertise. This breakfast workshop brings together AI leaders and nonprofit changemakers to spark bold ideas, unlock practical solutions, and show how marketing can help mission-driven organizations amplify their reach and results.

Session Goals

Show how marketers can use AI not just to optimize campaigns, but to help mission-driven organizations create greater real-world impact.
Create an energizing breakfast roundtable where AI thought leaders and nonprofit organizations co-develop bold, actionable ideas around real sector challenges.
Give nonprofits that are early in their AI journey a practical, approachable entry point by surfacing use cases, ideas, and first-step opportunities they can explore right away.
Surface standout insights and solutions that can extend beyond the room through a post-event highlights report for ANA members.

Beau Rivage (IN-PERSON ONLY)

9:00am
- 12:00pm

AI MARKETING ACCELERATOR: ADVANCED STRATEGIES, SYSTEMS, AND REAL-WORLD APPL

AI is changing every stage of the marketing lifecycle—from research and planning to creative development, activation, and measurement. But most marketers have only experienced AI through isolated tools and individual use cases.

This highly interactive, hands-on workshop gives marketers the opportunity to experience what AI-enabled marketing looks like when these capabilities come together. Through live challenges, collaborative exercises, guided AI workflows, and real-world marketing scenarios, participants will explore how leading organizations are beginning to rethink the way marketing gets done.

Rather than focusing on prompts or individual tools, this session focuses on the bigger shift: how marketers can combine human judgment with AI capabilities to work faster, think differently, and make better decisions.

Attendees will leave with new frameworks, practical skills, and a clearer understanding of where marketing is headed next—and how to prepare for it.

What You'll Experience

Roleplay using live AI-powered marketing challenges that simulate real-world planning, creative, and optimization decisions
Build and evaluate marketing assets using AI across multiple stages of the campaign lifecycle
Explore how AI is reshaping research, audience understanding, media planning, and performance measurement
Practice working alongside AI as a strategic partner—not just a productivity tool
Discover emerging capabilities and trends that are likely to reshape marketing teams over the next 2–3 years

Veronica Ripson: Head of Learning Experience and Operations U of Digital

Shiv Gupta

Founder & CEO U of Digital

Myles Younger

Chief Growth Officer U of Digital

Aria (IN-PERSON ONLY)

10:00am
- 12:00pm

BUILD BETTER BUYERS: A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FOR SMARKER MARTECH SOURCING

The way marketing organizations buy technology is broken, and vendors feel it too. According to a recent ANA vendor survey, the majority of technology sellers frequently encounter buyers who lack aligned stakeholders, undefined requirements, and no clear decision criteria. The result is MarTech Friction: the compounded inefficiency created by poorly structured buying processes that produce technology debt, tool underutilization, and buyer’s remorse on both sides of every deal.

Build Better Buyers is the industry’s first comprehensive, neutrally governed MarTech buying system, and this two-hour workshop is your guided introduction to all of it.

Attendees will work through the ANA 5-Step MarTech Sourcing Framework - Assess & Align, Define & Design, Evaluate & Validate, Contract & Implement, and Optimize & Evolve; and get hands-on exposure to the practitioner tools that support each phase. We’ll demonstrate the AI-powered automation tools that we will create to help buying teams define what they actually need before they ever speak to a vendor.

A strong lineup of industry experts in MarTech buying, procurement, and operational marketing will share real-world experience navigating complex sourcing decisions and building internal consensus across cross-functional teams.

Attendees will leave with access to the full Sourcing Toolkit, a working knowledge of the four alternate sourcing pathways, and a practical action plan for their next technology investment.

John Hardy: Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

Lana Rainier

SVP of Accounts Transparent Partners

Danilo Tauro

CEO CartographAI

Beau Rivage (IN-PERSON ONLY)

1:00pm
- 1:10pm

WELCOME REMARKS

Michael Donnelly: Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

John Hardy

Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

Jeff Minsky

Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

1:10pm
- 1:40pm

SESSION 1

Speaker TBA: Comscore

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

1:40pm
- 2:10pm

SESSION 2

Speaker TBA: dentsu

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

2:10pm
- 2:40pm

SESSION 3

Speaker TBA: AdPipe

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

2:40pm
- 3:10pm

SESSION 4

Speaker TBA

3:10pm
- 3:40pm

NETWORKING BREAK

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

3:40pm
- 4:10pm

SESSION 5

Speaker TBA: Resonate

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

4:10pm
- 4:40pm

FROM PRIVACY LAWS TO AI GUARDRAILS

Get an insider’s perspective from a legislator helping to shape the policies that will govern marketing technology. This will be a must-see hearty discussion on turning regulatory challenges into opportunities for innovation.

Rather than viewing regulation as a constraint, the conversation will explore how organizations can turn compliance requirements into opportunities for smarter innovation, stronger governance, and more responsible use of marketing technology.

Attendees will gain insight into:

How emerging legislation is shaping the future of marketing technology and AI
What regulators are prioritizing as data use, privacy, and accountability evolve
How marketers and technology leaders can proactively adapt to changing requirements
Ways to turn compliance challenges into drivers of innovation and trust

Christopher Oswald: Executive Vice President, Government Relations ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

4:40pm
- 5:10pm

SESSION 7

Jeff Minsky: Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA

David Edelman

Executive Advisor Edelman Advisory Services

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

5:10pm
- 5:15pm

CLOSING REMARKS

Jeff Minsky: Vice President, AI & Marketing Futures ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

5:15pm
- 6:15pm

NETWORKING RECEPTION

MGM Grand Ballroom Terrace (IN-PERSON ONLY)

7:00am
- 7:00pm

REGISTRATION OPEN

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

7:45am
- 8:30am

BREAKFAST`

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

8:30am
- 8:35am

PRESENTING SPONSOR REMARKS

Speaker TBA: Meta

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

8:35am
- 9:00am

OPENING REMARKS

Bob Liodice: CEO ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

9:00am
- 9:15am

WELCOME REMARKS

Michael Donnelly: Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

9:15am
- 9:45am

PRACTICAL AI: LESSONS FROM ENTERPRISE DEPLOYMENT AT SCALE

The constraint on enterprise AI is rarely the models or technical debt. The real bottlenecks are cultural debt, data readiness, system plumbing, security, and org design. In practice, these factors determine whether AI delivers measurable value or results in expensive demonstrations that never scale.

This session is designed for senior marketing and brand leaders who are accountable for AI outcomes and focused on operational reality rather than experimentation.

Attendees will walk away with:

A practical framework for identifying where AI investment creates measurable business value versus costly proofs of concept
A clearer understanding of the true enterprise blockers to scaling AI across organizations
An approach for evaluating AI initiatives through culture, data, security, and organizational readiness

Shelly Palmer: Chief Executive Officer The Palmer Group

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

9:45am
- 10:15am

TURNING CUSTOMER INSIGHTS INTO ACTION: WAWA'S APPROACH TO CONNECTED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES

Creating meaningful customer experiences requires more than data—it requires the ability to turn insights into action across every touchpoint. In this session, Wawa will share how it leverages customer data, loyalty insights, and marketing technology to better understand customer needs, strengthen engagement, and drive business growth.

Attendees will learn how Wawa aligns data, technology, and customer-centric strategies to deliver more personalized experiences while maintaining operational simplicity. The discussion will highlight lessons learned, key success factors, and practical approaches for building stronger customer relationships in an increasingly digital marketplace.

You'll walk away with:

How Wawa connects customer data, loyalty insights, and marketing technology to drive engagement and growth
Ways to balance personalization with operational simplicity at scale
Practical lessons for building stronger, more customer-centric experiences in a digital-first environment

Doug Martin: Chief Marketing & Brand Officer Wawa

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:15am
- 10:45am

TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASES: COMPANIES BUILDING THE MARKETING OPERATING SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE

The next generation of marketing will be powered by intelligent operating systems that unify data, workflows, AI, measurement, and decision-making across the enterprise. In this fast-paced showcase, leading technology companies will demonstrate how they're helping marketers simplify complexity, accelerate execution, and build the AI-enabled marketing organizations of tomorrow.

You'll walk away with:

A first look at emerging platforms redefining how modern marketing organizations operate.
Practical ideas for simplifying workflows, improving collaboration, and scaling AI across teams.
A framework for evaluating which technologies can deliver the greatest business impact for your organization.

Michael Ditter: Head of AI and Emerging Tech Diageo

David Jones

Founder and CEO The Brandtech Group

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:45am
- 10:52am

FIRESTARTER SESSION: THE AUTOMATION PARADOX: BALANCING AI EFFICIENCY WITH BRAND AUTHENTICITY

The final hurdle for enterprise AI deployment is consumer perception. As automation scales, brands risk treading on shaky ground, where hyper-personalization feels like surveillance and AI-generated assets are actively rejected by consumers as canned, lazy or disingenuous. In practice, execution determines whether AI builds deeper customer trust or instantly erodes decades of brand equity.

This session is designed for senior marketing and brand leaders who must defend brand authenticity while leveraging AI scale and ensuring customer interactions remain genuinely human and authentic.

Attendees will walk away with:

Provocative talking points to debate with peers about the fine line between intentional personalization and creepy customer surveillance
A clearer perspective on how the current environment’s shaky ground is impacting marketing and why consumers are beginning to reject overly-automated brand communications
A critical question to take back to your teams to ensure your current AI initiatives protect, rather than dilute, long-term brand equity and fidelity

Steve Bevilacqua: Senior Consultant Cella

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:52am
- 11:52am

NETWORKING BREAK

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

10:52am
- 11:42am

TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASES: COMPANIES BUILDING THE MARKETING OPERATING SYSTEM OF

The next generation of marketing will be powered by intelligent operating systems that unify data, workflows, AI, measurement, and decision-making across the enterprise. In this fast-paced showcase, leading technology companies will demonstrate how they're helping marketers simplify complexity, accelerate execution, and build the AI-enabled marketing organizations of tomorrow.

You'll walk away with:

A first look at emerging platforms redefining how modern marketing organizations operate.
Practical ideas for simplifying workflows, improving collaboration, and scaling AI across teams.
A framework for evaluating which technologies can deliver the greatest business impact for your organization.

Aria (IN-PERSON ONLY)

11:42am
- 12:12pm

THE AI ADOPTION PARADOX: HOW TO GOVERN WITHOUT SLOWING INNOVATION

AI is transforming marketing faster than most organizations can adapt. Business units are experimenting with new tools, platforms are evolving rapidly, sales teams are often overselling capabilities, and leaders are under pressure to deliver results while maintaining compliance and consistency. At the same time, AI is reshaping the MarTech stack faster than traditional procurement cycles can respond.

This creates a central tension: how do you maintain governance and consistency without slowing down BU-level experimentation already underway?

In this session, Kris, executive sponsor of the MarTech COE, shares how his organization is shifting the COE from control to enablement. Instead of owning the roadmap, the COE pools learning from active experiments across business units, including innovation hubs like the PSS Innovation Garage. This allows innovation to stay distributed while the enterprise builds shared frameworks to scale what works.

He will also share the COE AI strategy in practice, including Buy vs. Build decisions, the $ per task metering model, and a platform evaluation across Adobe, Braze, and Salesforce.

You'll walk away with:

How to balance governance and speed in an AI-driven MarTech environment
A model for shifting the COE from control to learning and enablement
A practical framework for evaluating and scaling AI platforms across the enterprise

Blair McCracken: Executive Director, Marketing Technology Strategy CVS Health

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

12:12pm
- 12:42pm

SESSION 13

Speaker TBA: Meta

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

12:42pm
- 1:42pm

LUNCH

MGM Grand Ballroom (IN-PERSON ONLY)

1:42pm
- 2:12pm

MAXIMIZING YOUR ROI FROM THE AI TRANSFORMATION - LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE BULLPEN TO THE BOARDROOM

The marketing industry has navigated multiple generations of disruption, from the commercialization of the internet to the rise of social media, mobile computing, and connected consumer experiences. Today, another transformational wave is reshaping business and marketing.

In this candid conversation, a former CMO and General Manager at many iconic brands from start-ups to $100 billion plus and a Board Member/Advisor to several leading companies will share his perspective from both sides of the table. Combining decades of operating experience with current senior level discussions, he will examine how organizations are evaluating the AI transformation, evaluating growth opportunities, managing uncertainty, and preparing for the future.

Attendees will gain:

Practical learning into what separates organizations that successfully adapt from those that struggle
How today's AI transformation compares to previous waves of change
What marketers, business leaders, and boards should be doing now to prepare for the future.

John Costello: CEO Costello Ventures

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

2:12pm
- 2:42pm

REIMAGINING THE STACK: HOW DELL IS BUILDING FOR WHAT COMES NEXT

The future of marketing technology isn't on the horizon. It's here. And Dell is building for it.

When a company the size of Dell makes the strategic decision to reimagine its marketing technology infrastructure for the next era of growth, the ambition is extraordinary, and so are the lessons.

In this session, Liana Cave, Senior Director of Marketing Technology at Dell, takes attendees inside one of the most consequential MarTech transformations underway in enterprise marketing today. Anchored in Dell's "One Dell Way" operating model, a sweeping initiative to unify the company's go-to-market approach across business units, Liana will reveal how her team is architecting a new foundation for a fundamentally different kind of marketing: real-time, composable, and capable of personalization at scale.

This is a story about vision and velocity. Evaluating what's possible with fresh eyes. Rethinking integration logic for the demands ahead. Choosing agility as a competitive advantage. Liana will share the decision-making framework her team used, the internal alignment it required, and what composable architecture actually looks like when you're operating at Dell's complexity and scale.

Whether you're managing a stack of 10 tools or 100, the principles are directly applicable. The future isn't waiting, and neither should your stack.

You'll walk away with:

The decision-making framework Dell used to reimagine its marketing technology infrastructure for the next era of growth.
Practical lessons on driving the internal alignment required to support enterprise-wide MarTech transformation.
Actionable principles you can apply whether you're managing a MarTech stack of 10 tools or 100.

Liana Cave: Head of Marketing Technology Dell

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

2:42pm
- 3:12pm

SCALING PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES: ADOBE'S APPROACH TO THE MODERN MARKETING ECOSYSTEM

As customer expectations continue to rise, marketers are under increasing pressure to deliver personalized, relevant experiences at scale. In this session, Adobe will share how leading organizations are leveraging data, content, AI, and automation to build more connected customer journeys and improve marketing performance.

Attendees will gain insights into how to modernize the marketing ecosystem by breaking down organizational silos and balancing innovation with operational discipline. The discussion will explore practical strategies for improving customer engagement, accelerating content delivery, and maximizing the value of marketing technology investments in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

You'll walk away with:

How to connect data, content, and AI to deliver more personalized customer experiences at scale
Ways to break down silos and build a more unified marketing operating model
Practical approaches to improving speed, efficiency, and impact across the customer journey

Hannah Elsakr: Vice President, GenAI New Business Ventures Adobe

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

3:12pm
- 3:42pm

DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH DATA, CONNECTIVITY, AND CUSTOMER INTELLIGENCE

As organizations navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, the ability to connect data, technology, and customer insights has become a critical driver of growth. In this session, Verizon Business Group will share how it is leveraging data-driven decision-making, advanced technologies, and customer intelligence to create more seamless experiences and stronger business outcomes.

Attendees will gain insights into the strategies, partnerships, and operational frameworks that enable organizations to break down silos, improve customer engagement, and accelerate digital transformation. The discussion will explore practical lessons learned and emerging opportunities at the intersection of connectivity, data, and marketing innovation.

You'll walk away with:

How Verizon connects data, technology, and customer intelligence to drive growth and experience
Strategies for breaking down silos to enable more seamless customer engagement
Practical lessons for accelerating digital transformation through connectivity and marketing innovation

Kris Narayanan: Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer Verizon Business Group

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

3:42pm
- 3:49pm

SESSION 18: FIRESTARTER

Speaker TBA: Wripple

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

3:49pm
- 4:19pm

NETWORKING BREAK

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

4:19pm
- 4:49pm

FINANCE, FOOTBALL & AI: MARKETING WHEN ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS

AI is transforming marketing at a rapid pace, but in highly regulated industries like financial services, the stakes leave little room for error. U.S. Bank must navigate strict banking regulations, the visibility of its NFL sponsorship, and increasing pressure to adopt AI responsibly across its marketing organization.

In this session, U.S. Bank and Supergood will explore the strategy behind the award-winning “The Power of Us” campaign, the evolution of the bank’s NFL partnership, and Financial Edge—a customized financial guidance program built for NFL players. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at how AI-enabled strategy, creativity, and execution can scale within a highly governed environment without compromising compliance, contractual requirements, or creative integrity.

You'll walk away with:

How U.S. Bank balances innovation, regulation, and high-visibility brand partnerships
How AI is being integrated into strategy and creative workflows in a controlled, responsible way
Practical lessons for scaling marketing innovation in environments where accountability is non-negotiable

Brooke Brown: SVP, Head of Brand and Creative U.S. Bank

John Elder

Co-Founder and CEO Supergood

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

4:49pm
- 5:19pm

SESSION 20

Speaker TBA: Disney

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

5:19pm
- 5:54pm

MARTECH EXCELLENCE: THE 2026 MARTECH MASTERY AWARDS WINNERS SHOWCASE

Marketing technology is transforming modern marketing, and the people behind it are shaping what comes next. Join us as we celebrate the winners of the 2026 MarTech Mastery Awards and recognize the leaders, teams, and organizations setting new standards for innovation, execution, and measurable impact.

In this session, you'll meet the innovators advancing the marketing technology discipline as we unveil the winners of the second annual MarTech Mastery Awards. Hear the stories behind their breakthrough achievements, the challenges they overcame, and the strategies that fueled their success.

You'll walk away with:

Insights into the award-winning initiatives and technologies driving measurable business impact
Lessons learned from organizations leading marketing transformation and operational excellence
Inspiration and practical ideas for advancing innovation within your own organization
A look at the emerging trends and best practices shaping the future of marketing technology

John Hardy: Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

5:30pm
- 6:30pm

NETWORKING RECEPTION

MGM Grand Ballroom Terrace (IN-PERSON ONLY)

7:00am
- 10:00am

REGISTRATION OPEN

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

7:45am
- 8:30am

BREAKFAST

MGM Grand Ballroom (IN-PERSON ONLY)

8:30am
- 8:35am

WELCOME REMARKS

Michael Donnelly: Executive Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

8:35am
- 9:05am

SESSION 22

Speaker TBA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

9:05am
- 9:35am

ALICE IN AGENTLAND: SELL-SIDE VS. BUY-SIDE AGENTS

AI agents are reshaping marketing on both sides of the looking glass. On the sell side, marketers are deploying agents that can create, personalize, analyze, orchestrate, and optimize at unprecedented speed. On the buy side, customers—and the agents acting on their behalf—are changing how discovery, evaluation, negotiation, and purchasing decisions happen.

In this session, Scott Brinker will explore the emerging world of sell-side versus buy-side agents, why marketers may need to run faster just to stay in place, and what it takes to thrive in this new Agentland.

You'll walk away with:

How sell-side and buy-side agents are transforming the marketing landscape
The implications of AI-powered buyers for customer engagement and go-to-market strategies
Practical ways marketers can prepare for an increasingly agent-driven future

Scott Brinker: Analyst & Advisor chiefmartec

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

9:35am
- 10:05am

THE THREE UNLOCKS TO SCALE AI IN MARKETING

In this session, Jim Lecinski shares the three critical unlocks for marketers to scale AI from scattered experiments into measurable impact. Grounded in the research behind his book The AI Marketing Canvas, this talk cuts through the hype to highlight what leading companies do differently to move faster, reduce risk, and improve return.

Attendees will gain practical takeaways they can apply immediately to focus their teams, accelerate progress, and scale AI responsibly.

You'll walk away with:

The three key unlocks for moving from AI experimentation to measurable impact
How leading companies are operationalizing AI to drive speed, efficiency, and ROI
Practical steps to focus teams and scale AI initiatives with greater confidence and control

Jim Lecinski: Clinical Professor of Marketing Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:05am
- 10:35am

SESSION 25

Speaker TBA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:35am
- 10:42am

SESSION 26: FIRESTARTER

Speaker TBA: OpenX

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

10:42am
- 11:00am

NETWORKING BREAK

MGM Grand Ballroom Prefunction (IN-PERSON ONLY)

11:00am
- 11:30am

LEADING THROUGH THE AI ERA: HOW MARTECH LEADERS ARE BUILDING FOR WHAT'S NEXT

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future-state consideration for marketing technology leaders, it is the present-day operating reality. But knowing AI matters and knowing how to lead through it are two very different things. The hard work is happening now; integrating AI into existing stacks, standing up the governance frameworks to manage it responsibly, building the infrastructure to scale it, and developing the organizational muscle to sustain it.

This panel brings together members of the ANA MarTech Leadership Council, a group of senior practitioners who sit at the intersection of marketing, technology, and business transformation; for a candid, practitioner-level conversation about what it actually takes to lead in the AI era. They will share how their organizations are approaching AI integration within the martech stack, what governance models are emerging to manage risk and ensure accountability, and how they are thinking about infrastructure decisions and consumption management as AI workloads grow.

Equally important, this conversation will go beyond the technology to address the human dimension of AI leadership; how do you build the right skills, develop new team structures, and design operating models that position your organization not just to adopt AI, but to lead with it?

If you are a marketing technology leader navigating the complexity, the opportunity, and the accountability that comes with AI at scale, this panel will deliver the peer perspective and practical insight you need to move forward with confidence.

Moderator: John Hardy: Senior Vice President, Marketing Technology ANA

Chris Vitti

Senior Director, Head of Marketing Technology The Cigna Group

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

11:30am
- 12:00pm

SESSION 28

Speaker TBA

MGM Grand Ballroom (HYBRID)

12:00pm
- 12:30pm

AI IS TRANSFORMING ADVERTISING—BUT WHO’S PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION?

AI is rapidly reshaping the advertising landscape, redefining how brands operate, how creativity is produced, and how results are delivered. According to the latest AEF/MSU Expectations in Advertising Education research, faculty and industry professionals agree on one key point: AI is transforming advertising. However, they diverge when it comes to the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to prepare the next generation of talent.

So how do we close this gap and what capabilities matter most in an AI powered marketing ecosystem?

In this session, leading educators and industry practitioners will unpack findings from this landmark research and explore how academia and industry can better align. Panelists will share perspectives on the evolving role of AI in marketing, the skills that will define future success, and actionable strategies to ensure both students and current teams are prepared to thrive in an AI driven environment.

You'll walk away with:

Where educators and industry professionals agree and where they diverge on AI readiness
The emerging skills and capabilities needed in an AI powered advertising ecosystem
Practical ways to better align academia and industry to build a future ready workforce