POSTPONED
Due to the current nature of COVID-19, and wanting to ensure the highest level of safety for all Summit speakers and attendees, we at Matrix Solutions have made the decision to postpone our 5TH Annual Media Ad Sales Summit, originally scheduled for January 19-21, 2022 in Miami Beach, FL.
We are currently working to establish new dates for the 2022 Summit, so please stay tuned as we will announce the updated dates soon.
It is our hope that pushing out the dates for our Summit event will allow for a safer environment for all and allow for safer and easier travel.
It is our goal to keep all event details the same, including speaker lineups, location, venue, and panels. For any questions regarding hotel reservations, event registrations, and more, please reach out to summit@risemrktg.com.
We thank everyone for their patience and understanding in these uncertain times and we look forward to seeing everyone in person under safe circumstances, soon.
Our annual industry-wide event is focused on all things media and technology at the cross-roads of advertising revenue and is designed for media, advertising, and technology executives committed to advancing the future of media ad sales.
Summit sessions will focus on building a prosperous advertising ecosystem that promotes industry-wide automation, data consistency, and transparency, while reducing the friction between the buy and sell sides when it comes to selling advertising inventory in an omnichannel market.
WHY ATTEND

Network with Influential Industry Leaders

Join the Transparent Convergence Conversation

Discover Ways to Achieve Industry-Wide Automation

Gain Insights into Reducing Buy/ Sell Side Friction
WHO HAS ATTENDED



























































What can you expect?
Take a peek at a few of the highlights from last year, including:
- High-impact sessions
- Candid conversations
- Industry leading speakers
- Networking opportunities
- Breathtaking venue
- … and more!
We are committed to your safety
Matrix Solutions aims to maintain the highest possible safety standards for all attendees during this event. Learn more about our safety protocols and attendee requirements below.
SUMMIT AGENDA
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 2022
5:00 PM | WELCOME RECEPTION
THURSDAY JANUARY 20, 2022
8:00 AM | REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
9:00 AM | WELCOME REMARKS
• Mark Gorman, CEO, Matrix Solutions – Presenter
• Brenda Hetrick, CRO, Matrix Solutions – Presenter
• Tim Hanlon, Founder & CEO, The Vertere Group – Presenter
9:10 AM | OPENING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION/INTERVIEW
We kick off the Summit with a powerhouse lineup of senior broadcast station group executives – sharing their up-to-the-minute insights into the current state of the US media industry, as well as what opportunities and challenges lie ahead in the new year.
• Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO & President, Gray Television – Interviewee
• Steven J. Pruett, Executive Chairman, Cox Media Group – Interviewee
• Jordan Wertlieb, President, Hearst Television – Interviewee
9:55 AM | PANEL: AD SALES AUTOMATION & AI
The TV industry’s march towards automating ad processes and improving transactional efficiencies is well underway – fueled by an increasingly complicated and sophisticated set of digitally-infused workflows – and the promise of breakthrough technologies like AI and blockchain. Just how quickly and advantageously depends on who you ask – as this panel will debate.
• Joe Lampert, Senior Program Manager, CNOmniMedia – Moderator
• Jay Stevens, President, Hudson MX – Panelist
• Fraser Woollard, SVP, Business Development, Mediaocean – Panelist
• Mark Gorman, CEO, Matrix Solutions – Panelist
10:25 AM | PANEL: PROGRAMMATIC AD SALES
As pressure grows on marketers, agencies & media companies to increase the ROI of TV/video advertising, programmatic platforms and dynamic pricing mechanisms are playing larger roles in the transactional process. We discuss what’s working now and what needs to improve for ad buyers and sellers to more enthusiastically “trust the process.”
• Ann Hailer, President, Cox Reps – Panelist
• Zach Cross, President, Revenue Analytics – Panelist
• Karen Youger, SVP, Sales Operations, Gray Television – Panelist
10:50 AM | NETWORKING BREAK
11:00 AM | PANEL: DATA-ENABLED LINEAR & CROSS-PLATFORM SALES
A growing array of data from third-party and marketer-proprietary sources is pushing both TV/video ad buyers & sellers to improve the value equation through more precise marketing segmentation and performance attribution – far beyond traditional ratings or demographic reach metrics. This panel will explore how sellers are reinventing their operations for more data-driven ROI-oriented results.
• Al Lustgarten, SVP, Technology & Information Services, Hearst Television – Panelist
• Jeff Hassan, VP, Technology Business Solutions, E.W. Scripps Company – Panelist
• Helen Obamanu, Manager, Ad Platforms, Digital Ad Tech Partnerships – Panelist
11:30 AM | ROUND-ROBIN CASE STUDIES
11:40 AM | PANEL: ADDRESSABLE ADVERTISING
Once seen as an unachievable Holy Grail, the ability to more finely target TV/video audiences in data-driven addressable environments is rapidly approaching economically attractive scale and technically dependable execution. We discuss the state of addressability with sellers at the forefront.
• Alan Wolk, Co-Founder/Lead Analyst, TVREV – Moderator
• Missy Evenson, VP, Sales, Local Media, E.W. Scripps Company – Panelist
• Larry Allen, GM/VP, Addressable Enablement, Comcast Advertising – Panelist
• Jamie Power, Chief Data Officer & COO, Cadent – Panelist
12:15 PM | NETWORKING LUNCH
1:20 PM | LUNCHTIME KEYNOTE PRESENTATION/INTERVIEW
The ever-popular Jill Rosengard Hill from Magid returns to the Summit for a comprehensive proprietary look at the current state of US consumer streaming TV/video behavior - and the implications ahead for the industry.
• Jill Rosengard Hill, Executive Vice President, Magid – Presenter
1:50 PM | PANEL: FAST, OTT, CTV & AVOD
Over-the-top TV/video viewing is already a mainstream media activity in a majority of US households, with plenty of growth yet to come. While subscription VOD services like Netflix have driven much of the action, it’s clear that ad-supported OTT offerings from incumbent TV networks, digitally native content brands and ad-embracing services like Hulu are poised to attract huge audiences in their own right – and with dynamic IP targeting that gives classic linear TV advertising a run for its money.
• Alan Wolk, Co-Founder/Lead Analyst, TVREV – Moderator
• Misha Williams, VP, Global Client Services, FreeWheel – Panelist
• Peter Jones, Head of Local Sales/Strategic Partners, Premion – Panelist
• Will Gurman, VP, Global Content Partnerships, Pluto TV – Panelist
• Greg Barnard, Director, Content Acquisitions, VIZIO/WatchFree+ – Panelist
2:30 PM | PANEL: LOCAL TV ADVERTISING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
We tap leaders from some of the country’s most progressive local TV ad sales organizations for an inside look at how each is transforming traditional linear advertising availabilities into comprehensive, digitally-centric marketing propositions for their increasingly sophisticated client bases.
• Joe Marino, Head of Client Success Organization, MadHive – Moderator
• Jim Long, Founder & CEO – Local BTV/Didja, Panelist
• Maggie Drake, Sr. Director, OTT Partnerships, Octane/Scripps – Panelist
• Doug Pfaff, President, Katz Digital Video, Katz Media – Panelist
• Jenn Scilabro, SVP, Digital Sales, Nexstar Digital – Panelist
3:00 PM | NETWORKING BREAK
3:10 PM | PANEL: REINVENTING MEASUREMENT + OUTCOMES
The chorus of dissatisfaction with legacy TV ratings’ historical locks on both audience measurement and trading currency is reaching a crescendo - and ad practitioners on both sides of the aisle are clamoring for new approaches and improved solutions. We tackle the elephant in the room with a discussion of how and what the transactional future might soon evolve to.
• Marianne Vita, SVP, Director of Integrated Strategy & Marketing, Video Advertising Bureau – Moderator
• Jill Josephson, CRO, Limbik – Panelist
• Brian Handrigan, Co-Founder & CEO, Advacado – Panelist
• Michael Sharp, VP, Brand Partnerships, TVision Insights – Panelist
• Bob Ivins, Chief Strategy Officer, TV Squared – Panelist
3:50 PM | ROUND-ROBIN CASE STUDIES
4:00 PM | PANEL: ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV & ADVERTISING
The rollout of broadcasting television’s next-generation technology standard is well underway and promises an entirely new array of “better TV” experiences and “beyond TV” business opportunities; we check in on the latest developments - including a look at some of the more compelling products/services in the pipeline.
• Adam Jacobson, Editor-in-Chief, Radio & TV Business Report – Moderator
• Kurt Rao, SVP & CTO, TEGNA – Panelist
• Jimshade Chaudhari, SVP Product, Marketron – Panelist
• Oliver Botti, Strategic Marketing & Innovation Executive Director, Fincons Group – Panelist
4:30 PM | CLOSING DISCUSSION: BIG PICTURE WRAP-UP
We close with a strategic overview discussion/debate of the day’s important issues and what lies ahead for us in the room – and the industry at large – ahead.
4:55 PM | CLOSING REMARKS
• Mark Gorman, CEO, Matrix Solutions – Presenter
• Brenda Hetrick, CRO, Matrix Solutions – Presenter
• Tim Hanlon, Founder & CEO, The Vertere Group – Presenter
5:00 PM | COCKTAIL RECEPTION
FRIDAY JANUARY 21, 2022
8:00 AM | BREAKFAST
8:20 AM | MASC ROUNDTABLE
The Media Ad Sales Council is a group founded by Matrix, comprised of thought leaders from across the media industry and representing different verticals and viewpoints. The group will examine the standard of measurement for all advertising, pinpoint manual buy-sell transactions that can be automated, and explore the development of a next-gen independent rep firm platform.
• Mark Gorman, CEO, Matrix Solutions – Moderator
• Brenda Hetrick, CRO, Matrix Solutions – Moderator
• Peter Jones, Head of Local Sales/Strategic Partners, Premion – Panelist
• Melanie Webb, VP/Sales Operations, TEGNA – Panelist
• Joe Lampert, Senior Program Manager, CNOmniMedia – Panelist
• Becky Meyer, SVP, National Sales, Gray Television – Panelist
• Jen Scilabro, SVP, Digital Sales, Nexstar– Panelist
• Al Lustgarten, SVP, Technology & Information Services, Hearst Television – Panelist
9:05 AM | CLOSING CONVERSATION: LOCAL MEDIA OUTLOOK '22
It's a special Summit-closing look at the industry's still-new New Year - with two of the country's most influential local media agency executives. Hear their reads of the post-holiday advertising marketplace, and their assessments of what's ahead for local ad spend in 2022.
• Kathy Doyle, EVP, Local Investment, Magna/IPG – Interviewee
• Heather Gundry, SVP/Director, Local Video & Audio Investment, Dentsu – Interviewee
SPEAKERS

Adam Jacobson
Editor-in-Chief
Radio & TV Business Report

Al Lustgarten
SVP, Tech & IT Services
Hearst

Becky Meyer
SVP, National Sales
Gray Television

Brian Handrigan
Co-Founder & CEO
Advocado

Bob Ivins
Chief Strategy Officer
TV Squared

Doug Pfaff
President, Digital Video
Katz Media

Fraser Woollard
SVP, Business Dev.
Mediaocean

Greg Barnard
Dir., Content Acquisitions
VIZIO, WatchFree+

Heather Gundry
SVP, Local Investment
Dentsu

Jamie Power
CDO & COO
Cadent

Jay Stevens
President
Hudson MX

Jill Rosengard Hill
Executive VP
Magid

Jill Josephson
CRO
Limbik

Jim Long
Founder & CEO
Local BTV/DIdja

Jimshade Chaudhari
SVP, Product
Marketron

Joe Lampert
Sr. Program Manager
CNOmnimedia

Joe Marino
Head of Client Success
MadHive

Jordan Wertlieb
Co-CEO & President
Hearst Television

Karen Youger
SVP, Sales Operations
Gray Television

Kathy Doyle
EVP, Local Investment
MAGNA Global

Larry Allen
GM/VP
Comcast Advertising

Maggie Drake
Sr. Dir., OTT Partnerships
Octane/Scripps

Marianne Vita
SVP, Dir. Strategy/Marketing
VAB

Mark Gorman
CEO
Matrix Solutions

Melanie Webb
VP, Sales Operations
TEGNA

Misha Williams
VP, GCS
FreeWheel

Pat LaPlatney
Co-CEO & President
Gray Television

Peter Jones
Dir. Strat. Partnerships
Premion

Steven J. Pruett
Exec. Chairman/Board
CMG/Apollo

Will Gurman
VP, Global Partnerships
Pluto TV
... And more to be announced soon!
SPONSOR INFORMATION
The Media Ad Sales Summit is produced by Matrix Solutions and is made possible by the support of our sponsors!
As a Sponsor, you are able to put your brand in front of industry leaders and decision makers across advertising/agencies, media, and technology companies. This niche event provides an intimate setting focused on quality over quantity when it comes to content, attendees, and overall experience.
Throughout the event, there are numerous networking opportunities that enable you to directly connect to key stakeholders and decision makers so if you’d like to elevate your company’s profile, become a sponsor today!
To sponsor this event or for questions regarding sponsorship opportunities please feel free to reach out to summit@risemrktg.com.
2022 SUMMIT SPONSORS
Thank you to our Sponsor of the 2022 Media Ad Sales Summit!



Rooms at Nobu Hotel may be reserved based on hotel availability. Guests of the Media Ad Sales Summit benefit from a reduced room rate of $319 per night (plus taxes and fees). A link to secure the reduced rate is available upon completion of event registration.






SUMMIT UPDATES
Jimshade Chaudhari, SVP Product at Marketron, to Join 5th Annual Media Ad Sales Summit Speaker Lineup
Jimshade Chaudhari, SVP Product at Marketron, is set to join the 5th annual Media Ad Sales Summit speaker lineup!
Founder & CEO of LocalBTV/Didja, Jim Long, to Speak at Upcoming 2022 Media Ad Sales Summit
We are excited to announce that the Founder & CEO of LocalBTV/Didja, Jim Long, will be speaking at the upcoming 2022 Media Ad Sales Summit!
Adam Jacobson, Editor-in-Chief at Radio & Television Report, Officially Added to the 5th Annual Media Ad Sales Summit Speaker Lineup
Adam Jacobson, Editor-in-Chief at Radio & Television Business Report, has been officially added to the 5th annual Media Ad Sales Summit speaker...
Heather Gundry, SVP, Director of Local Investment at Dentsu, is Set to Speak at the Upcoming Media Ad Sales Summit this January 2022!
Heather Gundry, SVP, Director of Local Investment at Dentsu, is set to speak at the upcoming Media Ad Sales Summit this January 2022!
QUALITY DISCUSSIONS
Media Ad Sales Summit 2020
Looking back at Matrix's Media Ad Sales Summit 2020, gives you a sneak peak at the types of high quality topics that are discussed by industry leaders from across the industry during our Summit. Check out these clips of some of the panels that were featured at our last in-person Media Ad Sales Summit to get an idea of the valuable topics we have covered and continue to develop on in each years Summit moving forward:
To request your full copy of the Media Ad Sales Summit 2020 Insights eBook, CLICK HERE!
Candid Conversation Series
Given the COVID-19 Pandemic, we had to shift our Media Ad Sales Summit content to an online platform. We introduced the Candid Conversation Series which brought monthly, 40-minute webinars that featured in-depth discussions on the relevant topics directly affecting the industry today. This engaging series has given a front-row seat to the insights shared from top industry leaders on the challenges, trends, and opportunities that are shaping the future of media ad sales!
Want to see each month's Candid Conversation? Check out each conversation on-demand here!