Advertising Week NY 2024 was a whirlwind of creativity, innovation, and inspiration. From thought-provoking keynotes to networking opportunities galore, the conference delivered on all fronts. Let’s dive into some of the highlights that made this year’s event truly unforgettable.
Stellar Speakers and Unforgettable Keynotes
One of the most exciting aspects of Ad Week is the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and visionaries. This year’s lineup of speakers was nothing short of impressive. Some of my favorite sessions were around connected television and how addressabilty is taking center stage. Targeting, measurement and privacy were also big topics around connected television, and while I feel CTV has a way to go on those fronts, progress is being made and good things are coming. Another hot topic I was personally interested in was Retail Media. Driving omnichannel success thought retail media networks were fascinating in how quick these networks are popping up and being adopted. I think the key take-away was that there is too much fragmentation and we need to look toward consolidation.
Engaging Interactive Sessions
Beyond the main stage, Ad Week offered a plethora of workshops and interactive sessions designed to equip attendees with cool innovative experiences and a glimpse into what’s coming in our future. From Snapchat’s cool filters and videos, to VR glasses, to real life Squid Games, to Instacart’s smart shopping carts, the technology to make our lives easier was amazing. The future is now! I felt like I was in the movie Vanilla Sky. There were so many innovative products and gadgets.
Networking Opportunities Galore
Ad Week is not just about learning; it’s also about connecting with like-minded professionals. The conference provided ample opportunities for networking, from casual meet-ups to structured happy hours. Whether you were looking to expand your professional circle, find potential collaborators, or simply make new friends, Ad Week had it covered.
Innovative Events and Experiences
Beyond the traditional conference format, Ad Week 2024 also featured a variety of innovative events and parties. MadTech’s Return of the Golden Era to Madison Avenue was an amazing way to start off the week. The Virgin Hotel was beautiful, classy and the perfect venue. The MadPack band took you back in time. The people, drinks and connections completed the night.
Sports Innovation Lab’s Women’s Sports Club Party was truly inspiring. The Panel of Champions brought the importance of women’s sports to life and their keynote speaker (Midge Purce) was truly inspiring to the future of women’s sports. As a mother of an aspiring soccer player, this was very dear to my heart. The growth of women’s sports and its availability to public viewing is growing and has no plan on stopping!
The most epic event of the week was The Unplugged Collective’s Strangers No More party hosted at The Stranger on 57th street. I have never experienced an industry event quite like this one. The venue was perfect, the DJ was great and the drinks were flowing. But what really made this special was how there was something different every time you turned around; dancers, laser light shows, aerial performances, drag queens, a poker room, a mirrored maze, karaoke, tarot card readers, prizes and more. It was an unbelievable experience and, dare I say, the party of the year?? This will definitely be talked about for months, maybe even years to come.
I ended the week with a great event at a beautiful bar, Worthwhile, which I am sad to say closed down the day after the event. I was able to connect with industry vets, old colleagues and friends. These events provided a fun and memorable way to break up the conference schedule and connect with others in a more relaxed, fun, casual setting.
All in all, Ad Week 2024 was a truly remarkable experience. The combination of insightful content, inspiring speakers, and unparalleled networking opportunities made it an event that will be remembered for years to come. If you had the chance to attend, we’d love to hear about your favorite moments. Share your thoughts in the comments below! Hope to see you next year!