Your Ultimate Guide to Advertising Week 2019

Are you going to be at Advertising Week New York this year? It’s my favorite industry event in the calendar!

Text #AWNewYork to +1 (646) 759-1837 and I’ll share daily schedule with you!

This year I’m curating a stage on Weds, Sept 25:

11:30AM Future of Retail Stage (Add to ??)

On Thurs, Sept 26 I’m curating two special events:

02:00PM Wyclef Jean Masterclass (Add to ??)

04:30PM Women Leading the Artist Community (Add to ??)

I’m on the board of Advertising Week and this year they asked me to curate a ‘Bonin’s Best-Of Sessions’ - a run down of where I’ll be and what I would go to see.

On top of that AW have given me a 30% Discount on Tickets to share with young and upcoming creatives.

I’ve always been a strong believer that events like this are some of the most important places for new ideas to be discovered, new partners to be found and for careers to be made! But we need to do more to support the next generation of those coming up in the industry.

?? For your 30% Discount Text Me on +1 (646) 759-1837

Read my guide below:

MON // 23 SEPT

09:30AM Gary Vaynerchuk (Add to ??)

10:15AM Michael Roth & Diego Scotti (Add to ??)

12:45PM Reinventing Retail (Add to ??)

03:45PM Marcus Samuelsson & Mastercard (Add to ??)

04:00PM Ed Pilkington (Add to ??)

07:30PM Opening Concert (Add to ??)

Kick off Advertising Week with my longterm pal Gary Vaynerchuk (09:30AM). I was one of Gary’s first (and largest) clients when he was starting VaynerMedia. It has been incredible to watch what he has built his agency into. I highly recommend joining him for what I am sure will be absolute masterclass in how to create content for the next-generation consumer. 

At 10:15AM two of my close-friends sit down to discuss to discuss sustainability and inclusivity for businesses of all shape and size. Michael Roth (IPG Chairman) is an utter powerhouse and I’m in complete awe of what Diego Scotti is doing as CMO of Verizon. If I were just starting my career again these would be the two I would be following - this is one you’re not going to want to miss! 

Shortly after you should head over to the Culture Builders Stage at 12:45PM for a panel on Reinventing Retail. Anyone who knows me knows how focused I am on direct-to-consumer businesses right now - I’m even the co-founder of one! There is so much that established brands can learn from the emerging DTC players, but as these start-ups grow they’re going to have to start learning how to sustain this growth from the more traditional players. This looks set to be a great knowledge sharing session.

The highlight of Monday will be Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem) in conversation with Raja Rajamannar (CMO, Mastercard) at 03:45PM on the Roundel Stage @ IMAX. I had the pleasure of being on a judging panel with Marcus at a recent Mastercard event supporting small business and we became fast friends - it helps that his food is just as incredible as his story! In addition, I’ve consistently been impressed with what Mastercard have been putting out in the world, so it makes sense that they will both be talking about pushing brand boundaries. 

Alternatively, if experiential is something you’ve been trying to work out for your brand or client then you should check out Ed Pilkington (CMO, Diageo) at 4:00PM on the Ad Shapers Stage. He will break down some of the incredible things his drinks portfolio have been doing to take full advantage of the changing face of retail.

Finally, I highly recommend joining the Opening Concert at 07:30PM. I’ve always found that the best place to meet new collaborators (and friends) is during the informal gatherings over a few drinks - this is the advertising industry after all.

TUES // 24 SEPT

09:00AM Fernando Machado (Add to ??)

09:15AM Adobe Advertising Cloud (Add to ??)

10:15AM Power of Audio Summit w/ NPR (Add to ??)

11:30AM Leadership Panel (Add to ??)

12:00PM Barry Frey (Add to ??)

01:15PM Serena Williams (Add to ??)

03:00PM Jeff Lucas & Marianne Radley (Add to ??)

04:30PM Mark D’Arcy (Add to ??)

09:30PM Nikki Glaser (Add to ??)

If you haven’t seen Fernando Machado (Global CMO, Burger King) speak then I highly recommend catching him at 09:00AM on the Ad Shapers Stage. I had the opportunity to interview him late last year and I’ve been consistently impressed with his view point on the industry. The Burger King story is a great example of brand transformation and you should join this session to see how he is working to make them stand out. 

Alternatively, at 09:15AM you can join the Adobe Advertising Team for a discussion on cross-generational thinking and how this might transform the ways we think about digital advertising. I’ve spent a lot of time with the Adobe team recently and I’m always impressed by how they’re working to provide intuitive new tools for both creators and advertisers alike.

Then at 10:15AM you can attend the Power of Audio Summit focused on how audio is changing the way we consume content and communicate to audiences. This event is supported by NPR, and as an avid consumer of their content, I know that they are expertly positioned to talk about the future of the audio experience for brands. 

Don’t miss a powerhouse panel at 11:30AM on Finding Your Own Leadership Style. It looks like this all-female panel is one that should not be missed and I’m excited to see rockstars from Refinery 29 and Droga5 in the line up. Those are two organisation I love dearly and with the talent I know exists within their walls then I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

At 12:00PM my old-friend Barry Frey from the DPAA speaks on the future of out-of-home. I’ve included him, because I know he’d be texting me if I didn’t… I’m joking, Barry is an incredible speaker and you should pop by if you get the chance. 

You should definitely try and get into the Roundel Stage @ IMAX on 01:15PM to see Guru Gowrappan (CEO, Verizon Media) in conversation with Serena Williams. Why? Because this is an advertising event and you have to go and see at least one talk with a major celebrity! Besides that I’ve always found Serena to be so articulate off the court - I have no doubt that you’ll be blown away!

It’s excited to see Jeff Lucas (VP, Verizon Media) on stage at 03:00PM with Marianne Radley (Chief Brand Officer, Pizza Hut). Looks like Jeff is doing a number of things during Advertising Week this year. I first met him early in my career and he has always given me some incredible advice. If anyone truly understands what’s next in media it’s Jeff - be sure to find the chance to greet him personally.

At 04:30PM you should head to the Story Crafters Stage to see Mark D’Arcy (Chief Creative Officer, Facebook) speak on the future of creativity. Whatever your thoughts are on Facebook right now, the reality is that they are still an absolute powerhouse and remain one of the best ways for brands to showcase their creativity. On top of that Mark is a great speaker and a really big thinker.

At 09:30PM they’re hosting Nikki Glaser at the Gotham Comedy Club - but also keep your ears open for any of the other informal events folk organise on a Tuesday night. 

WEDS // 25 Sept

10:30AM Sir Martin Sorrell (Add to ??)

10:45PM GenZ Unpacked (Add to ??)

11:30AM Future of Retail Stage (Add to ??) ← DON’T MISS!

02:30PM Guide to TikTok (Add to ??)

03:00PM Jeff Weiser (Add to ??)

03:30PM CMO Panel (Add to ??)

03:45PM Cannabis Panel (Add to ??)

04:30PM Matthew McCarthy (Add to ??)

05:00PM Tim Armstrong & Scott Galloway (Add to ??)

Maybe I’m biased, but Wednesday is going to be my favourite day at Advertising Week this year and you’re about to see why…

Kick off the day a 10:30AM with Sir Martin Sorrell and the team from INNOVID on the Story Crafters Stage. Martin still remains one of the most astute observers of what is going on in the industry, and you should really take any chance you can get to hear his point of view.

Alternatively, at 10:45AM there is an incredible panel on Gen Z with rockstars like Julie Foster (Senior Director, EA Sports), Marie Whitworth (Multicultural Marketing, Pizza Hut), Liz Gray (Head of Cultural and Consumer Insights, CAA) & Monica Dreger (Global Consumer Insights, Mattel). I’ve been so focused on trying to understand Gen Z over he last year - they’re quite literally the future of our industry. 

At 11:30AM you have NO OPTION but to join me on the NewGen Stage where Bonin Ventures will be curating the Future of Retail Stage. I’ll be the host so it is a great time for us to connect, but even better you get to meet folks like Zak Normandin (CEO, Iris Nova), Sofia Laurell (Co-Founder, Tiny Organics). And even though Bozoma Saint John and Joan Smalls might be talking at 01:30PM, I guarantee we will be vastly more entertaining - sorry Boz!

At 02:00PM I’ll unlock the doors of the NewGen Stage and let you get back to the rest of Advertising Week. So, why not kick off the afternoon with The Pro’s Guide to TikTok at 02:30PM? I’ve found that being the first mover has always been a great way to create new opportunities for the brands I’ve worked for. If you’re not getting educated, you’ll quickly become obsolete. I highly recommend this one! 

I’m pretty sure the keynote from Jeff Weiser (CMO, Shopify) at 03:30PM will be unmissable. Shopify are a rocket ship right now! They’re essentially the eCommerce backbone for most of the key players in DTC. That’s massively impressive considering how competitive this landscape is. I have no doubt he will be sharing an incredible business case study.

Alternatively, you should join Roger Mader (CMO, Subway) and others at 3:30PM for a deep dive into the concerns and considerations of today’s modern CMO. Nobody knows more about what marketing excellence means - and looks like - than the power-players of some of the biggest brands on this planet. There is so much you can learn from them so find every chance you can to listen to them.

If neither of those take your fancy then at 03:45PM there will be a panel on Global Cannabis Marketing Opportunities with two folks I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year: Prohibition Partners & Cult Collective. They joined us for PotOrNot - an event we partnered on with Katie Loeb (Loeb.NYC) in May. I’m so excited by the cannabis opportunities right now and understand that we - as an industry - are going to have so much responsibility to ensure we educate consumers and market this responsibly. You can also see Katie speak at 4:45PM on Cannabis, Social Justice and Diversity too - she is such a good speaker so I’d love you to go say, “Hi.”

You should head to the Insight Drivers Stage at 04:30PM to see Matthew McCarthy (CEO, Ben & Jerry’s) in conversation with Scott McDonald (CEO, ARF). I can’t guarantee that they’ll be giving out free ice cream, but I do know that Ben & Jerry’s is one of those rare brands that knows how to make a connection with culture and values. In a world where everyone is talking about ‘Brand Values’ B&J have shown how committed they are time and time again through their action.

At 05:00PM you should see my friends Tim Armstrong (CEO, dtx Company) and Scott Galloway (NYU Professor) in conversation on the big transformations in the direct-to-consumer industry. They’re both incredibly insightful and always so well researched - this one is not to be missed! 

THURS // 26 Sept

09:30AM Gwyneth Paltrow & Harry Kargman (Add to ??)

10:00AM Ivan Pollard & Jon Wilkins (Add to ??)

10:15AM Women Shaping Heavyweight Brands (Add to ??)

10:45AM Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Add to ??)

12:00PM Bill Koenigsberg & Pitbull (Add to ??)

02:00PM Wyclef Jean Masterclass (Add to ??) ← DON’T MISS!

03:15PM Keith Weed (Add to ??)

04:30PM Women Leading the Artist Community (Add to ??) ← DON’T MISS!

Those who have the stamina to make it through to Thursday can prove how dedicated they are by joining my friend Harry Kargman (Founder & CEO, Kargo) at 09:30AM for a discussion with Gwyneth Paltrow. I’ve watched Harry build Kargo into one of the most interesting mobile-advertising players and I strongly encourage you to see him speak!

You should also pop into the conversation between Ivan Pollard (CMO, General Mills) and Jon Wilkins (Karmarama) at 10:00AM. I’ve always been extremely impressed by both of these organizations, and I have no doubt that it will be an enlightening conversation on the reinvention of the agency model.

It’ll be hard to decide between this and an utterly rockstar line-up at 10:15AM with the Women Shaping Heavyweight Brands. You’ll be able to join Heather Malenshek (CMO, Harley-Davidson Motor Company), Jill Baskin (CMO, Hersheys), Leanne Fremar (Chief Brand Officer, JPMorgan Chase), Sarah Thompson (Global & NY CEO, Droga5) & Lindsay Stein (U.S. Editor, Campaign). This looks like the stand-out panel of this year’s programming. 

Of course Thursday has star power too with Joseph Gordon-Levitt joining the Roundel Stage @ IMAX at 10:45AM to discuss his work and creative collaborations. 

This one I’m super excited about: Bill Koenigsberg (CEO, Horizon Media) will be speaking with none other than Pitbull at 12:00PM talking about Multicultural Audiences. Bill has been a lifelong friend and I really owe a lot of my career to him. If you don’t know Bill’s story it is incredible - he is the owner of the largest independent media agency in the country and you should really get to know him. Bill announced his new full-service Multicultural agency, 305 Worldwide recently, but I don’t know what to expect when these two great minds come together. 

DON’T MISS the HIGHLIGHT of the whole week: at 02:00PM Wyclef Jean will be running a Creative Production Masterclass with some familiar faces. You might have seen that I’ve been on the hunt for musical talent from across the agency world? Well they’re set to join Wyclef onstage to create a brand-new song for Advertising Week New York City. It happens live, in the moment, and you’ll have to see this in action to believe it!

Everyone who is everyone will be at the TechStars Stage at 03:15PM to see my old-pal Keith Weed explain his recent statement, “a brand without trust is just a product, and advertising without trust is just noise.” I’ve watched Keith’s career closely and he has pioneered some of the make-or-break partnerships that have transformed so many people’s businesses. He is someone you simply must get to know in this industry!

To close out Advertising Week you NEED to go and see the panel on Women Leading the Artist Community at 4:30PM with Madeline Nelson (CEO, Heads Music and Manager of Wyclef Jean). For those who don’t know Madeline she is one of the music industry’s power players and joined on stage by Jennifer Frommer (SVP, Columbia Records), Jennifer Masset (Global Head of Independent Label Support, Spotify) and Amani Duncan (Senior Vice President, MTV). This promises to break new ground and really provide new insight into how the music industry operates. 

I’ll be sending text message updates throughout Advertising Week to keep you informed of everything that’s going on. So be sure to text me: +1 (646) 759-1837