October 19-21, 2026 InterContinental San Diego
Educational Sessions
(Topics subject to change. Additional topics TBA.)
Presented by Bluewater
Tuesday, Oct. 20
10-10:45 a.m.
Making TV Accountable, Everywhere It’s Watched
For performance agencies, linear and CTV can be powerful together, but planning, buying, measuring, and optimizing them as a single channel is anything but simple. Fragmented inventory, inconsistent measurement, trafficking headaches, and clients demanding proof of ROI are daily realities. How are top agency executives structuring convergent TV buys today? How are they bringing brands along on the journey? And how do platform partnerships provide measurement infrastructure, execution support, and the resources agencies need to move faster and prove results? From seasoned DR buyers scaling into streaming to those still figuring out where CTV fits your client mix, this conversation promises a practical framework for what convergent TV buying looks like when done right.
Speakers: Samir Balwani, QRY; Chris Holcomb, Happy Hour Media Group
Moderator: Brooks Wood, Tatari
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Where Are My Customers?
Presented by the Women's Leadership Council
Brand-side experts will discuss the latest trends shaping campaigns as they work to battle fragmentation at both ends of the funnel and avoid having the right consumer targets slip through their fingers.
Speakers: Valerie Alderson, Uqora; Sarah Andreadakis, Bluewater; David Burns, Ideal Living
Moderator: Fern Lee, THOR Associates
1-1:45 p.m.
Why Your Creative Isn't Working (And How to Fix It in Real Time)
Creative fails for reasons that are rarely obvious in the moment: strategy and execution drift apart, fatigue sets in before anyone notices, or the message never matched the channel to begin with. Whether TV or digital, the building blocks are the same. This session breaks down the most common points of failure and looks at how those core creative elements can be deployed, tested, and optimized differently across channels. It pairs that diagnosis with a practical framework for building a real feedback loop between performance data and creative development, covering testing methods, how to build and manage creative variations, and what it takes to keep up with the constant demand for new content. The goal is turning creative optimization into an ongoing process instead of a one-time overhaul.
Speakers: TBA
Moderator: Andy Latimer, Bluewater
2:15-3 p.m.
Maximizing Conversions, Minimizing Questions in Streaming Media
As performance marketing brands look to deepen their investments in streaming and CTV, questions around cost, delivery, and eyeballs still abound. But new technologies — driven by AI and other breakthroughs — are improving processes, strengthening visibility, and growing sales. Hear what’s happening now — and what’s next — in streaming media in this powerful panel discussion.
Speakers: Jeff Giachetti, HVAC Direct; Matt Wasserlauf, Blockboard
Moderator: TBA
3:30-4:15 p.m.
Media Outlet Roundtable
Performance media sales leaders from linear and streaming outlets take the stage to share what’s happening right now on the shifting performance media landscape.
Speakers: Jason Baron, AMC Global Media; Marty Dehler, Disney Advertising
Moderator: TBA
Wednesday, Oct. 21
10-10:45 a.m.
Scaling for Success
At PDMI East in Miami Beach, four brand experts shared how they’re reaching scale in an evolving omnichannel world. Now, we bring another group of performance brand executives together to discuss what tools they’re using to minimize the mileage to reach scale and to maximize growth beyond their initial targets. What’s working? What’s not? And what’s next, as technology continues to change the performance marketing game.
Speakers: Micah Mitchell, Myomo; Cali Zumdahl, AMSI; Chloe Strang, Musely
Moderator: George Young, Sequoia Media Group
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Performance vs. Awareness: What Do Brands Want?
Presented by the Brand Response Council
If you attended spring’s television upfronts, you know that one buzzword permeated every outlet’s and publisher’s presentation: performance. In response to the changing desires of brands and their agency partners, it’s clear that the media sell-side got the message that campaign metrics and attribution have become more important than ever. But even the newest start-up brand needs to create awareness to eventually drive performance. What do brand leaders think about how the performance-awareness mix should work today?
Speakers: Dorian Jackson, ADT; Peter Russo, Allied Elite Financial; Tina Watkins, Meaningful Beauty
Moderator: Chris Foster, PCM Integrations
1-1:45 p.m.
Finding the Right Agency and AdTech Partners
What do brands want from their agency and vendor partners in today’s multifaceted performance marketing universe? Hear from a group of performance brand experts about what best-in-class service looks like right now from their partners.
Speakers: Mel Succar, Bluevua; Robert Yusim, ZipString/Product Counsel
Moderator: TBA
2:15-3 p.m.
Topic TBA
Description TBA
Speakers: TBA
Moderator: TBA
3:30-4:15 p.m.
Topic TBA
Description TBA
Speakers: TBA
Moderator: TBA
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