April 15, 2026
Agenda is subject to change. Please check back for updates as speakers and sessions are being added regularly.
Time
1:00 PM - 1:25 PM
1:30 PM - 1:35 PM
Registration & Check-In
*Light refreshments to be served.
Opening Remarks
- Suzanne McGee, Director of Communications, EP+Co, 4As Communications Committee
- Carly Rullman Walsh, Founder, CRW Comms, 4As Communications Committee
1:35 PM - 2:00 PM
When AI Takes Action: Preparing for An Agentic Future
AI is moving from answering questions to taking action. It’s interpreting, recommending and increasingly acting on behalf of audiences. As assistants, browsers and autonomous agents mediate discovery and decision-making, reputation is no longer shaped solely by headlines or search results. And comms teams must adapt.
Speaker:
- Paul Longo, General Manager of AI in Ads, Microsoft Advertising
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
POV with the Press: Ad Age
A session with Ewan Larkin and Brandon Doerrer from Ad Age to offer actionable insights for story pitching and positioning. We will cover what gets their attention, what strong PR partners do well and examples of top performing stories from the past year.
Moderator: Toni Lee, Toni Lee Communications
Speakers:
- Ewan Larkin, Agencies Reporter, Ad Age
- Brandon Doerrer, Creativity and media innovation reporter, Ad Age
2:20 PM - 2:45 PM
Why Substack Belongs in Every Modern PR Playbook
Substack has become a hybrid of newsroom, brand studio and community hub. As executives, journalists and PR leaders launch their own newsletters, Substack is emerging as a direct channel for narrative control, audience engagement and transparent communication. This discussion unpacks how comms teams can integrate Substack into media strategies, build loyal readership, amplify earned coverage and experiment with authentic executive voice.
Moderator: Nadine General, Managing Director, Communications, Dixon Schwabl + Company
Speakers:
- Meredith Klein, Communications Freelancer and Substack journalist
- Dejon Mullings, Advertising Business North America Communications Lead, Spotify
- Liz Song, Communications Lead, Substack
2:45 PM - 3:05 PM
POV with the Press: Fast Company
A Q&A session with Fast Company focused on how to craft pitches that resonate with its editorial lens on innovation, creativity, leadership and the future of business. We will cover what strong PR partners do well, how to position ideas around trends and cultural relevance and examples of standout stories from the past year.
Speaker information coming soon.
3:05 PM - 3:25 PM
BREAK
3:25 PM - 3:45 PM
POV with the Press: Haymarket
As agency models evolve and pharma and PR face rising scrutiny and new pressures, the media lens matters more than ever. Hear from the editors covering some of the industry’s most complex moves and the signals they’re observing that agency leaders can’t ignore.
Moderator: Dan Prince, Principal, Prince Communications
Speakers:
- Luz Corona, U.S. Editor, Campaign US
- Jameson Fleming, Editor in chief, MM+M
- Frank Washkuch, Executive Editor, PRWeek
3:45 PM - 4:10 PM
From Comms to the Corner Office
What does a career path look like from comms leadership to C-suite roles. This fireside chat explores how communication leaders can translate their skill sets into broader business leadership, organizational influence, and potential CEO and CMO trajectories.
Moderator: Julia Herbst, Senior Leadership and Workplace Editor, Business Insider
Speaker:
- Jill Kelly, CEO, Assembly
4:10 PM – 4:30 PM
POV with the Press
Get actionable insights for story pitching and positioning. Learn what gets journalists’ attention, what strong PR partners do well and examples of top performing stories from the past year.
Session information coming soon.
4:30 PM – 4:50 PM
POV with the Press: Axios Media
Join Sara Fischer and Kerry Flynn of Axios for a look at how one of the industry’s most influential outlets approaches advertising and media coverage. We’ll explore Axios’s editorial mission, how stories are prioritized, and what narratives break through. For PR and communications leaders, this conversation will provide practical guidance on crafting outreach that aligns with newsroom objectives and drives meaningful coverage.
Moderator: Carly Rullman Walsh, Founder, CRW Comms, 4As Communications Committee
Speakers:
- Sara Fischer, Media Correspondent, Axios Media
- Kerry Flynn, Media Reporter, Axios Media
4:50 PM – 5:15 PM
How to Make PR Discoverable in an LLM-First World
AI is reshaping how audiences discover, interpret and trust information. This session covers how PR pros can use AI to strengthen reputation intelligence, design generative story frameworks and drive visibility in a media landscape influenced by large language models. We will explore tactics for optimizing earned media for AI search, structuring messages and owned content so LLMs surface brand narratives accurately and using predictive analytics to track reputation signals. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for integrating AI into strategy, content and measurement while protecting authenticity.
Moderator: Mirza Germovic, SVP, AI Solutions & Advisory, Edelman
Speaker:
- Jack Barbour, Head of AI and Media Relations, Golin New York
5:15 PM – 5:20 PM
