10:00am - 10:30am

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Breaking Through the Noise—How to Create Content That Lasts

In an oversaturated world, the real question isn’t just who reigns the content supreme—it’s what makes content truly resonant. With endless platforms, shifting algorithms, and an audience with an ever-shortening attention span, how do brands and creators filter through the noise to deliver impactful storytelling? This panel will dive into the evolution of content strategy, exploring what separates good content from great. Join industry leaders as we navigate the sea of content and uncover what it takes to reign in today’s digital landscape.

Moderator: Ashley Banks - EVP of Commercial at Group Black

Stephen Paez - EVP Cultural Investment and Innovation at Publicis

Gordon Bach - SVP, Culturally Inclusive Media Lead at Starcom

10:40am - 11:10am

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

The Programmatic Paradigm—Balancing Efficiency & Context in Advertising

In the world of programmatic advertising, efficiency is king—but at what cost? As automation and AI-driven buying continue to reshape media strategies, the question remains: does the pursuit of efficiency come at the expense of contextual relevance? This panel will explore the evolving balance between scale, precision, and cultural resonance in programmatic advertising. Industry leaders will debate how brands can maximize impact without sacrificing the nuance of contextual placement, and whether true efficiency should be redefined to prioritize both performance and authenticity.

Moderator: Sarah Chaten, SVP of Media Strategy and Operations at Group Black

Megan Pagliuca, Chief Product Officer at Omnicom Media Group

Gabriel Paton, SVP Sales Engineering at Infillion

11:20am - 11:50am

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Beyond the Hype—Building Lasting Brand Loyalty with Gen Z

Gen Z moves fast—trends rise and fall in the blink of an eye, and what’s viral today can be forgotten tomorrow. With only 37% of Gen Z consumers saying they feel a strong connection to any brand, how can companies create content that stands the test of time? This panel will explore how to build real relationships with Gen Z in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. From authenticity and community-driven engagement to platform-specific storytelling, industry leaders will break down strategies for capturing Gen Z’s attention and turning fleeting interactions into lasting brand loyalty. Learn how to move beyond the moment and craft content that resonates, evolves, and endures.

Moderator: Shaquana Joseph - Head of Sales at Group Black

Laurel Rossi - Chief Growth Officer at Infillion

Alicia Richardson - Cofounder + Managing Partner at CROWDAXIS

Aarona Jordan - VP Connections Media, UWG

12:00pm - 12:30pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

AI, Authenticity & The Power of Data—Fueling the Future of Consumer Connection

As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, the key to authentic consumer connection lies in curated, diverse first-party data. Brands that harness this data strategically can unlock deeper insights, drive meaningful engagement, and fuel sustainable growth. This panel will explore how unifying the power of AI with data creates more personalized, inclusive experiences. Join Bonin Bough and David Steinberg as they discuss best practices for leveraging AI-driven insights to stay ahead of evolving consumer behaviors and maximize impact in an increasingly data-driven world.

Moderator: Bonin Bough - Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Group Black

David Steinberg - CEO of Zeta Global

1:55pm - 2:25pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Digesting Culture—Tapping into Cultural Moments with Authenticity

Cultural moments have the power to transcend societal boundaries, influencing everything from consumer behavior to brand loyalty. But in an era where the New Majority drives the conversation, how can brands authentically engage without simply capitalizing on the moment? This panel will explore the intersection of culture, commerce, and community—unpacking strategies for brands to connect with diverse audiences in a way that feels organic, resonant, and lasting. Industry leaders will share insights on how to move beyond surface-level engagement to truly embed cultural intelligence into brand strategy, ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Moderator: Shaquana Joseph - Head of Sales at Group Black

Ameneh Atai - GM, Digital Audience Measurement at Nielsen

Max Kalehoff - Chief Growth Officer at Real Eyes

Sheila Marmon - Founder & CEO of Mirror Digital

2:35pm - 3:05pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Marketing with Purpose—How Community Impact Drives Business Growth

Today’s consumers aren’t just buying products—they’re investing in brands that stand for something. Community-driven marketing has become a critical strategy for businesses looking to foster authentic connections and long-term loyalty. This panel will explore how integrating social impact into marketing efforts can drive both brand growth and meaningful change. Using initiatives like She’s Good [For Real] as an example, we’ll examine how brands can support underserved communities, build trust through purpose-driven storytelling, and create lasting impact while strengthening their bottom line. Industry leaders will share insights on what it takes to make social good a core part of business strategy.

Moderator: Ashley Banks - EVP of Commercial at Group Black

Khari Motayne - Vice President, Engagement Strategy at CMI Media Group

Stacy Ritter - President/CEO of Visit Lauderdale

Steven Paganelli - Sr. Director, Head of Americas Partnerships at TripAdvisor

4:30pm - 5:00pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Analyzing The Perfect Marriage of Sports & Culture

Sports is its own language—one that has infiltrated culture at an unprecedented pace, shaping conversations far beyond the game. Whether it be the recent worldwide spike in interest for women’s sports, or how shows like The Shop have mastered the art of blending sports, culture, and unfiltered dialogue. Join us as we unpack the correlation between sports and culture and what it reveals about the future of sports-driven storytelling.

Moderator: Shaquana Joseph - Head of Sales at Group Black

Tiffany Patmon - Former WNBA champion and Big 12 Alumni Council

10:10am - 11:20am

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Workshop: Creative Clarity in a Chaotic World

In an age of automation and information overload, our most powerful advantage remains distinctly human: creativity. Yet most brainstorming methods feel tired, chaotic, or ineffective. This workshop offers a reset—a series of visual thinking techniques designed to reconnect you with your innate creative intelligence. This hands on workshop taps into the brain’s natural patterns of imagination and association, we’ll reawaken the part of you that thinks differently, sees connections, and generates ideas with clarity and confidence.

David Shing - Creative Omnivore and visionary futurist

11:30am- 12:00pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

AI & The Future of Creativity

AI is transforming the creative world—speeding up production, unlocking new forms of expression, and making content creation more accessible than ever. But with endless possibilities come fresh challenges. This panel dives into how brands, artists, and businesses use AI to push creative boundaries while staying true to authenticity, originality, and human impact.

Moderator: Jennifer Kattula - GM and CMO, Microsoft Advertising

Larry Adams - CEO of XStereotype

Shira Lazar - Emmy nominated host and Host, The AI Download

12:10pm - 12:40pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Cultura & Creativity: Gen Z Latina Women Redefining Music and Fashion

One year after Group Black’s acquisition of Galore, we’re back where it started at Possible to explore the undeniable and expanding impact of Hispanic and Latinx communities on global culture. From music and fashion to entertainment and brand partnerships, their influence is not just shaping trends—it’s defining them. Hispanic consumers represent nearly $3.4 trillion in economic power, making them one of the fastest-growing and most influential demographics in the U.S. As Galore continues its evolution, this conversation will highlight how brands, media, and creatives can authentically engage with this powerhouse audience while celebrating the cultural moments and icons driving the future.

Moderator: Prince Chenoa, Editor in Chief of Galore

Izzy La Reina - Singer and Songwriter

BODINE - Singer and Songwriter

MANU MANZO - Singer and Songwriter

1:00pm - 1:30pm

📍ExcellencE! Forum
(in the Fleur De Lis Ballroom)

Enhancing Collective Intelligence with AI

This talk explores how AI can improve teamwork by leveraging collective intelligence. We will discuss strategies for better information sharing and collaboration in both large and small teams. Attendees will learn how to optimize team dynamics and efficiency using AI tools.

Nicholas Mohnacky - Co-founder, CEO of bundleIQ

3:00pm - 3:30pm

📍Vision Hall

Keynote Session: Stan Smith on Legacy, Culture & the Future of Sport

In this rare and intimate conversation, tennis legend and cultural icon Stan Smith sits down with marketing trailblazer Bonin Bough to explore the intersection of sports, branding, and community impact. From pioneering one of the earliest athlete-led brand empires to shaping global sneaker culture with the iconic Adidas Stan Smith, Stan reflects on his journey as both a world-class athlete and a visionary. The discussion will also delve into his role in democratizing tennis, making the sport more inclusive and accessible across generations. As a sneak peek into his upcoming documentary, Who is Stan Smith? Stan will share untold stories, lessons learned, and his enduring influence on fashion, sport, and social change. This is more than a conversation—it’s a masterclass in purpose-driven legacy building.

Moderator: Bonin Bough, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Group Black

Stan Smith - Tennis Legend and CEO, Stan Smith Events