Creativity & Innovation

Establishing an authentic connection with target audiences can be a game-changer in delivering nuanced critical messages. Together, with our partners, we took this approach in a recent collaboration to reach young adults. By tapping into the existing level of trust in the video gaming community, we were able to create genuine connections and share important mental health resources. Join us for a deep dive as we discuss how Gen Z, a generation deeply immersed in gaming culture, found value in the authenticity of our message and how we engaged them using some unique trusted messengers.

As the vice president of emerging media and technology at the Ad Council, I’m always exploring new and emerging technologies that can help drive impact across our many social cause campaigns. I was eager to explore web-based augmented reality (WebAR) as a way to reach people with our messages and after months of building, we just launched our first WebAR partnership with our long time partners at Feeding America. For those of you unfamiliar with this technology, WebAR enables users to interact with digital graphics superimposed onto their real world environment through a web browser, without the need for a dedicated app. The user gets to this experience through scanning a QR code or tapping through to a website. This accessibility makes WebAR a powerful tool for marketers, enabling a broad audience to seamlessly access the experience across various devices. The immersive nature and gamification of a WebAR experience can boost engagement, making complex messages more resonating and impactful.

In the ever-evolving social media landscape, staying ahead of the curve isn't just a goal—it's a necessity. From social media managers leading day-to-day operations to CMOs directing marketing strategy, brands understand that to stay relevant they must make an investment in social. And events like AdWeek’s Social Media Week are crucial for keeping brands at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

As the vice president of emerging media & technology at the Ad Council, I always look forward to attending CES, the most influential tech conference in the world—attracting over 3,000 exhibitors and 130,000 attendees, all showcasing breakthrough technologies that will shape our future. I love to learn how technology innovations are not only shaping the marketing industry, but most importantly solving the biggest challenges in our world today. Below are some of my key takeaways from 2024.

Last week, we participated in Advertising Week New York (AWNY), an annual conference that unites the brightest minds in marketing, advertising, media and technology. The conference presented a remarkable opportunity for us to engage with industry experts and witness our own leaders and Board members address several pressing issues affecting the nation. Join us for a recap of AWNY, where we'll examine the key insights and creative innovations reshaping our industry, including the four pivotal themes that emerged.

Join us for Advertising Week New York, the premier event for industry leaders to discuss and explore the latest trends, innovations and challenges in marketing, advertising, media and tech. As industry leaders gather, virtually and in-person, we are excited to host three engaging panels and feature our award-winning “Tear the Paper Ceiling” installation. Our experts will join key leaders to discuss harnessing creativity for impact and changing the narrative around substance use disorders.

Go behind-the-scenes with Sara Wald, Creative Director at Amazon, as we delve into our collaboration to develop a powerful new resource focused on supporting the youth. Our interactive experience, "When You Can't Say It, Play It," serves as a tool for parents and caregivers to initiate conversations with teens through music. By leveraging technology to drive impact and connection, Amazon and the Ad Council are actively working to find new ways to address mental health and wellness. Gain insight as Sara shares the inspiration behind the experience, the impact of music on youth mental health, and the need for inclusive marketing.

Each year, Austin, Texas hosts the South by Southwest conference where the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture is showcased and celebrated. True to the innovative and collaborative spirit of the conference, SXSW relies on public involvement to help select their lineup using the SXSW Panel Picker. This platform allows you to browse proposals, leave comments and vote for the most important sessions.

With generative AI and the metaverse at the forefront of emerging media conversations, Roblox cannot be ignored as a frontrunner in the digital experiences space. Having joined the online game platform myself in 2009, it has been fascinating to watch Roblox grow and mature over the years. And now, the platform is at a critical juncture. What started as a relatively small group of game developers and users has exploded into a vibrant community spanning the entire globe.

Gen Z, the generation born between the late 1990s and early 2000s, have revolutionized the way we think about campaigns and campaign engagement. With their inclusive mindset, digital fluency and emphasis on social good, Gen Z has emerged as the most influential demographic across industries.