Join The Trade Desk's Mike Rusk as he identifies meaningful trends and opportunities that exist within the "open internet," using data from the company's latest research. Rusk will walk through changes in consumer behaviour and media consumption, and explore how advertisers can best connect with internet users across streamers and other entertainment platforms.

Speaking

Mike Rusk
Director Client Service
The Trade Desk Canada Inc

Speaking

Jason Dubroy, Chair
Founder
The Commercery

WGSN identifies the global shifts that will impact and disrupt your industry, exploring the driving forces across society, technology, the environment, politics, industry and creativity. Join WGSN Senior Strategist of Insights, Cassandra Napoli, to uncover the need-to-know strategies to future-proof your business as we take a deep dive into the factors that will shape the macroeconomic and retail landscape in the years ahead.

Speaking

Cassandra Napoli
Senior Strategist of Insights
WGSN

Nothing is off limits when it comes to the potential of AI. Merchandising and retail marketing are already being disrupted. From inventory tracking and demand forecasting to virtual product placement and personalized styling, the possibilities are abundant. Using real-world examples of AI in action within and outside of aisles, this session will also share five things to expect from the tech in the next five years. 

Speaking

Tim Ringel
Global CEO
Meet The People

Are traditional loyalty programs losing their luster? More than just to save a buck, shoppers are looking for personalized experiences that build a deeper connection with a brand. More companies are adding tiers to their programs, offering workshops, access to VIP perks, exclusive events, gamification, while some are even tying rewards to ESG causes. This session looks at how brands and retailers are embracing the experience economy and tech to drive personalization at scale (and go beyond discounts and points).

Speaking

Robin Hassan
Canada Head of Digital Marketing Media Commerce and In House Agency
Unilever Canada

Sean Claessen
Chief Strategy Officer
Bond Brand Loyalty

De'ana Torresan
Director, Customer Engagement & Loyalty
IKEA Canada

Ryan Markle
SVP, Loyalty
Loblaw Companies Ltd

Join us for lunch, trophies, and Connected Commerce intel as we celebrate the plans and partnerships that embody the best new thinking in retail innovation, activation and shopper marketing.

According to NielsenIQ, 2024 is a “watchout year.” Growth is slowing as inflation tames, but the damage to consumer spending power is done and it will need some time to recover. This session looks at consumer research that relates to the economy and how shopper decisions are being impacted by the current cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking

Nick Gibson
SMB Team
NielsenIQ

Consumer demand for authenticity, transparency and a commitment to fulfilling a brand's purpose has never been more pressing. In this session, Hellmann's Canada will demonstrate how the brand is utilizing its purpose of reducing food waste as a strategic marketing tool through the "Make Taste, Not Waste" platform. The session will include a deep dive into the inner workings of key omnichannel marketing campaigns and the integrated strategies that were taken to position mayonnaise as a key ingredient for Canadians to curb their food waste.

Speaking

Nicole Hutinec
Associate Brand Manager
Hellmann's Canada

With the ever-changing landscape of both physical and digital customer touchpoints, the opportunity for brands to reach customers in the omnichannel retail space has never been more complex. In this presentation, Jeremy Vianna of Advance powered by Loblaw will dive into the world of unified commerce, and walk us through how Advance is tackling the challenge of connecting with customers in an omnichannel world.

Speaking

Jeremy Vianna
VP, GM Audience and Ad Products
Advance Powered by Loblaw

The golden age of stream-vertising is upon us, shaping the future of shopping and advertising. Opportunities for brands to advertise on connected TV and streaming platforms are growing. Join us as media buyers and marketers discuss the proliferation of the space and how the combination of shopper data and TV advertising will impact the future of omnichannel. 

Speaking

Caroline Bergeron
SVP, Digital and Data Solutions
Horizon Media Canada

Sarah Thompson
Strategic Advisor
Dentsu Media

Robin LeGassicke
Director of Transmation
Cairns O'Neil

Sonia Carreno
President & CEO
IAB Canada

Speaking

Jason Dubroy, Chair
Founder
The Commercery

Speaking

Robin Neufeld, Chair
Director of Business Marketing
Advance powered by Loblaw

Matt Kohler, Chair
Managing Director
McCain

FMCG is called fast-moving for a reason, but never have things moved at quite a pace than today. Fluctuations in consumer demand. Splintering media and supply chain disruptions. The rapid rise and risk of AI. Skill gaps and talent shortages. Marketers are dealing with painfully complex market dynamics where things don’t always go to plan. In this session, brand leaders come together to discuss actionable strategies they’re applying in order to survive and thrive in a world of change. 

Speaking

Leslie Malcolm
VP, Marketing
Molson Coors Canada

Lisa Reid
Country Lead
Procter & Gamble Inc

Ola Machnowski
VP, Marketing
Hershey Canada Inc

Matt Kohler
Managing Director
McCain

Ricola is 93-year-old cough drop brand that has long been associated with the cough and cold season – offering soothing relief for coughs and sore throats during the winter months. But when the pandemic hit, the brand’s sales took a hit, as fewer people were getting sick. The brand needed to pivot. This need led to the introduction of a new usage occasion: everyday voice care. This new positioning sparked additional pivots, in how the brand connects and engages with consumers online, product innovations, as well as a more fulsome DTC purchase offering. In this session, learn how a legacy brand doubled its market share in just four years, and changed the way people think about – and use – Ricola.

Speaking

Jacquie Kostuk
Director, Creative Strategy
FUSE Create

Alok Ummat
Director of Marketing
Ricola

Join Metro's Jonathan Gendreau as he outlines the expanding opportunities across all of the retailer's banners when it comes to engaging in unified commerce, as well as the benefits of its MOI loyalty program and what it has to offer brands within its retail media network. Don't miss this opportunity to have your questions answered and learn how your brand can benefit from strategic partnerships with the Canadian retailer.

Speaking

Jonathan Gendreau
VP, eCommerce and Digital Strategy
Metro

Food brands have less than 2 years to make preparations for when they are mandated to implement Canada’s new Front of Pack (FOP) warning symbol in 2026. The Health Canada labels will indicate which products contain high levels of nutrients of public health concern. Pigeon’s Stephane Crevier & Rebecca Lyttle believe there is great opportunity in recipe innovation, refined brand positioning, revamped packaging design and enhanced product and packaging sustainability. In this session, Crevier & Lyttle share ways that you can use omni-channel marketing to focus on the positive key elements of your brand's message and build trust, all while still complying with the new requirement.

Speaking

Stéphane Crevier
VP, Brand Strategy and Growth
PIGEON

Rebecca Lyttle
Strategy Director
PIGEON

Simple, seamless, shoppable. That is the best way to look at the emerging behaviour of Canadians discovering new products and engaging with brands through the TV. In fact, according to Roku’s recent Video-on-Demand Evolution 2024 study: 17% of streamers have scanned a QR code from the TV screen, 13% have downloaded a promoted app, and 10% have entered personal details into the TV to receive offers. Hear the latest insights around Shoppable TV and see how brands like Doordash, Coca-Cola, Walmart, Starbucks and more are using Roku’s scannable video, ok-to-email, ok-to-text and ok-to install formats to nurture brand awareness with personalized campaigns, and introduce interactivity to be the brand of choice at the moment of purchase.

Speaking

Belinda Baugniet
Manager International Marketing
Roku Inc

Joyce Lee
Head of Product Marketing
Roku International

In an effort to level-set the industry’s understanding of the retail and commerce media landscape in Canada, long-time strategist Evan Wood and former PepsiCo director Kevin Lacey will share their analysis of the conversations they’re having with marketers currently exploring (and succeeding in) the space. As networks and channels grow at a breakneck pace, their aim is to remove confusion and offer strategies so that brand leaders feel confident in where to put their ad dollars.

Speaking

Evan Wood
EVP and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer
Environics Analytics

Kevin Lacey
SVP, Sales Team Leader (CPG)
Environics Analytics

In this session, Walmart Connect and Kenvue explore best practices and emerging strategies for harnessing the full power of retail media as part of the omnichannel shopper journey. Join the retailer's Meaghan Brophy and Jessica Walker as they share tactics for successful campaigns within retail media as it continues to prove its strength across the marketing funnel.

Speaking

Jessica Walker
Senior Leader of eCommerce Media & Retail Partnerships
Kenvue

Meaghan Brophy
Senior Director of Sales
Walmart Connect

Caroline Moul
President
PHD Canada, a division of Omnicom Canada corp

Today's evolving retail landscape provides unique opportunities for those who can keep up with the speed of change. But how do you know what they actually are? Retail expert Jason Dubroy will walk through the nature and notion of opportunity itself, and how to apply it to gain advantage in an ever changing retail landscape. The session will explore the “Two Types of Opportunity,” the formula for “Opportunity Creation,” and live examples showcasing the applications of AI, business intelligence, and "gut feelings" in the modern retail environment that will have immediate application for today and moving forward. 

Speaking

Jason Dubroy
Founder
The Commercery

With the lottery industry undergoing change, Lotto Max set out to answer how an omnichannel brand platform can be adapted to suit the needs of the evolving category and reach a younger audience – one who mostly shops online and typically associates lottery with in-store. In this session, OLG shares how its using retail channels more creatively and cohesively to revolutionize lottery play and reach a more diverse audience.

Speaking

Melissa Finley
Director National Draw Based Games
OLG

Shelley Brown
Chief Strategy Officer
FCB Toronto

Speaking

Matt Kohler, Chair
Managing Director
McCain

Robin Neufeld, Chair
Director of Business Marketing
Advance powered by Loblaw