AI, Agility, and the Next Era of In-House Partnerships

• Exploring the shift from traditional content production to embracing AI-powered automation for enhanced efficiency
• Discussing the tangible benefits and insights gained from implementing creative automation, including productivity improvements and strategic advantages
• Envisioning the future of creative operations and the role of innovation and automation in sustaining competitive agility

Time to have some lunch and visit the exhibition. See you back at 2:15 PM for the afternoon sessions!
 

At the New York Philharmonic, the Archives isn’t just preserving history, it’s helping fill seats. By leading the rollout of a powerful Digital Asset Management System (DAMS), the Archives has made over 3 million digitized and born-digital assets instantly accessible to teams across the organization. That access fuels campaigns tied to anniversaries, supports content for upcoming performances, and helps the marketing team surface timely, relevant stories that connect with audiences.

Let’s be honest: your calendar’s a disaster. Your inbox is a landfill. And half your meetings are performative.

You’re not here because you’re broken. But some days, you know you’re leading on fumes.

Wayne Barringer led an in-house team at Boeing — much like yours. Today, he works with leaders at Peacock, Expedia, Synchrony and more who’ve tried everything: new tools, new hires, new org charts. He helps them reset — starting with how they are showing up.

Chris Butler from Uber, will discuss the evolving dynamics between in-house creative teams and agency partnerships, examining how organizational structure impacts stakeholder relationships and creative output. 

This session will address critical questions facing Creative Operations leaders today, including team resourcing strategies, stakeholder negotiation leverage, and the changing agency landscape amid industry consolidation.

Know the System, Break the Rules 

Facts:

• AI is redefining creative processes and organizational systems.
• There is always tension between established frameworks and innovation.

The Response:

Crafting a Career with Perspective

Ever wondered how your Creative Ops experience stacks up across different types of organizations? 

In this session, Kate will share what she has learned navigating the worlds of agencies, in-house brand teams, and a global holding company. 

Each one comes with its own challenges and insights—and each helped shape not only her skillset but also her point of view as a Creative Operations leader. 

Creative teams face immense pressure to meet deadlines and business demands.  

Great creative work requires protected time and space. Without it we risk losing the very creativity that drives brand differentiation and long-term success. 

The Challenge: 

How to balance business priorities without sacrificing innovation. 

How to shield creativity amidst competing pressures. 

The Response: 

How to transform your in-house creative agency from a traditional production house into an agile powerhouse.

Tested strategies for: