Agenda

New for 2025! Prepare for another generational shift - there's a new kid on the block. It’s loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand it. This track shares what we already know about Gen Alpha and how they’ll be doing things differently.

What do next gen consumers want from their online or IRL shopping experiences, and how are brands tapping in? In this retail and ecommerce focused track, discover the strategies fuelling shopping habits of Gen Zalpha, plus what’s coming next with Alpha.

What do we already know about the next generation and how will they be doing things differently? Get prepared for another generational shift as Josephine Hansom from Savanta shares her take on the largest generation of all time!

This talk will include the Gen Alpha essentials - the facts as we know them, what are the opportunities and what the future might hold for you and your brand!

Overtime’s apparel business has exploded. We’re excited to be joined by Tyler Rutstein, Overtime’s Head of Brand & Commerce for a fireside chat on the strategy behind expanding a media brand into one of the most successful sports ecommerce businesses. From content and community to TikTok Shop, merch drops and brand partnerships, discover the technology and creativity leveraged to create a successful DTC strategy.

Prepare for another generational shift - there's a new kid on the block in Alpha. It’s loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand it. Hear from our panel of marketing experts at brands that kids love on how they are approaching advertising to the next wave of young consumers and their parents.

Discover what purchasing influence they have in their household and how they are balancing tactics and messaging in a way that is both responsible and engaging.

Our panel of leading retail experts share how young consumers are shaping the ecommerce trends of the future and which strategies are winning over this demographic. From social commerce and keeping up with trends to measurement and optimization, we'll dive into the key retail and ecomm topics of the moment.

Why we're excited:

- Andie Swim recently shifted to grow their brand awareness with younger audiences. Head of Marketing, Morgan will talk about aspirational purchases amongst Gen Z, UGC via TikTok and expanding the brand’s affiliate network.

- Trisha has bootstrapped responsible jewelry brand Maison Miru from start to scale. She will share how she balances a commitment to sustainability with expanding the brand, driving growth via social commerce.

Are you ready to hear the truth from the parents raising Gen Alpha? Put your burning questions to the parents navigating a generation of savvy kids that hold significant sway in family decision-making. From screen time and the pressures of social media to purchasing power, education and social consciousness - we'll help you understand this new generation better than before.

As a leader in consumer electronics, Lenovo's Jessica Tomlinson will share how creator campaigns have helped the eComm side of the brand forge real connections with different consumer segments - from students to gamers and everyone in between.

She will discuss how student and gamer influencer programs, live shopping events and getting creative with creator campaigns have helped the brand showcase how tech products fit into the day to day lives of young people - and how they are navigating pre-teen gamers and what’s coming next with Alpha.

Join our panel of experts at the intersection of influencer marketing and sports to discuss the power of sports partnerships, how athletes are moving from performers to creators and how your brand can tap in.

Deep diving into what you can learn from the creator-athlete marketing space, we’ll cover:

- How to make informed decisions about your creator strategy

- Navigating the athlete-creator ecosystem and finding hidden gem athlete influencers that can amplify your brand

- Working smarter not harder to build long term relationships and success with sports partnerships

Keep up with the ever-evolving pace of the social media landscape for youth audiences. Here, you’ll discover new ways to build, measure and grow communities on the platforms young people love.

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Delve into your college marketing strategy and how to keep it fresh. We’ll show you who’s disrupting the landscape right now, and give you the lowdown on activations, brand ambassador programs and what students really want from on-campus advertising.

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Join Brendon Shabani, Founder of Rising Ballers and Rawan Eewshah, Senior Director of Social Media at the MLS for a fireside chat into engaging the next generation of sports fans. They will delve into how understanding platforms, trends and culture have helped drive the growth of soccer in the US and turn MLS from a league into a cultural phenomenon. By embracing a young, digital-native audience, discover how the league is creating a winning formula for both fans and brands alike.

Ads from banks, insurance companies, and alarm systems don't scream cool — or at least in the past. Adam Grant, CEO of Campus Commandos, reveals how his team turned “cringe” into cool, helping some of the most un-relatable brands capture the attention of college students.

Learn how creative campaigns (on shoestring budgets) made financial institutions feel fresh, relevant, and even fun. If your brand is fighting to be heard in a crowded space, this is your blueprint for success.

Rise at Seven's Carrie Rose shares her wisdom on all things social and search. More coming soon!

Hear from our panel of brands at the forefront of helping build and sustain brand relevance, while driving engagement for social good. We’re thrilled to be joined by the masterminds behind social strategy at Oatly, Sesame Workshop and The Washington Post’s in-house brand studio, WP Creative Group, who will delve into what it’s really like to be a unique voice on social media and how they navigate tone of voice, audience engagement, superfans, real-time interactions, and social listening to create content that supports both their brand and mission.

Why we’re excited:

- At Oatly, Paula Perez sees her community focused role as the go between grassroots on the ground and the boardroom. She’s passionate about activism, listening to consumers via social media and creating a strong outbound commenting strategy.

- Dennis Quinn at The Washington Post’s WP Creative Group will delve into how journalism is evolving to engage youth audiences, where social media and influencer strategy fits in and working with advertisers to reach new audiences.

- At Sesame Workshop, Christina Vittas brings the fun and cultural relevance of this beloved brand and shares research-based resources to help the next generation – all while channeling everyone’s favorite 3.5-year-old red, furry monster, Elmo.

Join our panel of experts to discover how new technology is reaching and engaging college students and how it can revolutionize your brand’s visibility on campus. From food delivery robot advertising to out of home innovations, explore how to amplify your college marketing strategy and which strategies are winning.