PDMI Winter Seminar Series
Virtual education keeping you informed on performance, DTC, and e-commerce marketing trends.
The PDMI's Winter Seminar Series features live webinar events designed to educate and inform leaders in the performance and direct-to-consumer marketing world. Simply scroll down for more information on the next scheduled event — and to view video past Seminar Series events.
More information about and the chance to register for additional upcoming events is coming soon!
AI Activations Grease the Funnel
Wednesday, March 5
2 p.m. EST/ 11 a.m. PST
Presented by the Digital & Data Council
AI was 2025’s — and is 2026’s — ultimate buzzword. But performance marketers — by their nature — need real data, not buzz. What’s the reality when it comes to effective uses of machine learning solutions for performance marketers? How are agencies and vendors teaming to create solutions using AI technology that are directly impacting the success of client campaigns?
Gregory Silvano, CEO of Buyist and chair of the PDMI’s new Digital & Data Council, welcomes a group of vendor-side leaders curated by the new council for a discussion that will lead directly into a similar conversation among brand leaders at PDMI East in Miami Beach this April.
Speakers include:
Ariel Brooks Benz
BB3 Advertising
Ariel Brooks Benz is the CEO and founder of BB3 Advertising, an independent media and advertising agency recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America by Inc. 5000 in 2024. With two decades of industry experience, including roles as media director and director of new business at agencies in New York and Los Angeles, Brooks Benz has built and operated agencies across multiple continents, serving an international client base with a focus on performance media buying. Her global perspective and expertise in cross-cultural marketing have shaped BB3's success in delivering optimized campaigns across TV, CTV, social media, influencer marketing, and digital platforms. Under her leadership, BB3 integrates AI and machine learning to advance market research, analytics, and content creation, driving innovation and meaningful connections between brands and audiences.
Randal Shaheen
BakerHostetler
Randy Shaheen has more than 30 years of experience as an advertising attorney. A member of BakerHostetler's Advertising, Marketing and Digital Media team, he represents clients before a variety of regulatory agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), National Advertising Division (NAD) and state attorneys general, and he is sought after for his handling of multijurisdictional matters. Randy's background facilitates practical insight: He has a significant history with matters related to privacy and data security, marketing to children, "green" claims, dietary supplements, claims of weight loss and health and performance, comparative claims, the use of surveys and "Made in the USA" claims.
Lindsey Carnett
Marketing Maven
Lindsey Carnett is the CEO and president of Marketing Maven. She founded the company in 2009, after leading integrated communications campaigns for firms and private industries across the world. With nearly two decades of experience in direct-to-consumer marketing, Carnett is a trusted public relations advisor to national and international organizations and has been named an Enterprising Women Award Winner, Top Woman in Public Relations by PR News,a Top Woman in Media, and featured in the ForbesMost Powerful Women Business Leader issue. Carnett has offered expert insight via news outlets like CNBC, TheStreet.com,National Public Radio (NPR), The Doctors, USA Today, PR Week, Forbes Woman, Medium, Gizmodoand Thrive Global. She also taught a social media content course and wrote curriculum for Academy of Art University. Named one of the Most Entrepreneurial Companies in America by Entrepreneur Magazine’sEntrepreneur 360 Awards, and one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America by Inc.5000 for two consecutive years, Marketing Maven specializes in international and domestic public relations, social media, reputation management, direct response marketing, U.S. product launches, SEO, event PR, and influencer marketing.
Sophia Vick
Kingstar Media
Sophia Vick is a media and analytics leader with 20 years of industry experience. She has built her career on a strong foundation in strategic media planning and data‑driven decision‑making. Vick joined Kingstar Media in 2015 as a media manager and quickly advanced through her expertise in performance optimization and analytics. She now serves as senior director, media and analytics, overseeing Kingstar Media’s reporting department. In this role, she leads teams in turning complex data into clear insights that drive effective strategy and client success.
Brett Charest
Casual Precision
With over two decades of experience in the media industry, Brett Charest has seen, firsthand, how the right message delivered through the right channel can transform a business. His journey — from media director to vice president of radio affiliate sales and now CEO of Casual Precision — has been defined by a relentless focus on precision and performance. Charest founded Casual Precision to help brands navigate the complexities of modern media with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s negotiating major media buys or streamlining internal operations to increase efficiency, his goal is always to create sustainable, scalable growth for the firm’s partners. Charest thrives on the challenge of building something from nothing and helping established brands reach their next level of excellence.
Gregory Silvano
Buyist
MODERATOR
Gregory Silvano has whitewater rafted down all 300 miles of the Grand Canyon, scuba dived the Blue Hole in Belize, and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army and, in his downtime, runs Buyist.
Dan Otto
Intelligent Handshake
Dan Otto, chief science officer at Intelligent Handshake (aka: "Rocket Scientist") is a seasoned, value-oriented business analyst and econometrician specializing in media mix modeling, optimization, and predictive analytics. From the start, Otto has been instrumental in the growth of Intelligent Handshake (now in version 4.0). An expert in creating complex cross-sectional time series models of marketing performance, Otto creates marketing forecasts, scenario tests, scoring models, statistical analyses, and other top-spectrum analytical models.
