AAF PGH AdWeek 2025 is a packed 2- day conference featuring representatives from some of the biggest brands in the world.

See the list of 2025 speakers [here]

Check back for new additions added daily!

Thursday, November 6, 2025

David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 4th Floor

9:30 Check-in: Networking

10:00 -10:30am:  Welcome

  • Dwayne Waite Jr. AAF Pittsburgh President & AAF PGH AdWeek Co-Chair
  • Kristin Stahlman Bullington, AAF PGH AdWeek Co-chair

Keynote

10:30 – 11:10am: Unlocking the Power of Primary Research in the Age of AI

  • Kate Murphy, Campos
  • Laura Officer – UPMC Health Plan

11:10 – 11:20am: Networking

11:20 -12:00pm:  Mental Health in the Creative Community

  • Emily Moquin,  Schmidt Market Research
  • Demetrios Marousis, Highmark Inc.
  • Nicholas Buchheit, Covalent – Moderator

11:20 -12:00pm:  From Screens to Scenes: How to Turn Digital Followers into Real-World Communities

  • Cecily Milligan,  Actual Size

This session is open to all attendees, but of particular interest to young professionals.

12:00 – 1:20pm: Lunch on your own

Keynote Discussion

1:30 – 2:00pm: Legends of Pittsburgh Advertising

  • Gordon Robertson, Hullabaloo Agency – Moderator
  • Shannon Baker, Gatesman
  • Dawn Butler, UPMC
  • Mike Giunta, GH Advertising
  • Ken Johns, Brunner

2:10 – 2:45pm: Purpose-Driven Presence: Reclaiming Focus and Meaning in the Age of Distraction

  • Stephanie Romero, Awake Pittsburgh

2:10 – 2:45pm: Stop Asking If You’re Using AI – Start Asking if You’re Using It Well

  • Jon Meck, Bounteous

2:45 – 3:00pm: Networking

3:00 – 3:30pm: Creating a Culture of Collaboration

  • Nathan Wadding, Kindling Culture Agency

3:00 – 3:30pm: Clicks Don’t Convert: Why Advertisers Need to Care About Websites Again

  • Meesha Gerhart, RedTree Web Design

3:30 – 3:45pm: Networking

Keynote Discussion

3:45 – 4:30pm: The Career Life Cycle: Can We Age Well Professionally?

  • Brian Bronaugh, Landesberg Design, Moderator
  • Michael Brunner, Brunner
  • Dr. Joylette Portlock, Chair of the Allegheny Board of Health
  • Dr. Carrie Leana, University of Pittsburgh
  • Emily Price, Carnegie Mellon University

Panel Discussion

Friday, November 7, 2025

David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 4th Floor

9:30 -10:00am: Welcome

10:00 – 10:30am: The Creator Economy Playbook: Strategies that Work.

  • Mackenzie Smith, Creator Economy Consultant

10:00 – 10:30am: Just Get It on the Page:  14 Insights from 14 Years as a Creative

  • Michael Borodynko, Punching Pixels

This session is open to all attendees, but of particular interest to young professionals.

10:30 – 10:45am: Networking

10:45 – 11:15am: From Crickets to Coversions:  How the 4 E’s of Marketing Create Real Results

  • Alysa Gumto, Marketing with AG

This session is open to all attendees, but of particular interest to young professionals.

10:45 – 11:15am: Is AI-generated Content Destined to Become the New MFA Crisis?

  • Lara Koenig, MiQ

11:15 – 11:30am: Networking

11:30 – 12:00pm: Wired for Change:  How Communication Evolves-and Why it Matters Now

  • Courtney McCrimmon, Gatesman

This session is open to all attendees, but of particular interest to young professionals.

11:30 – 12:00pm: Harnessing the Power of Fandoms

  • Dwayne Waite Jr, Schell Games

12:00 – 1:10pm: Lunch on Your Own

1:15 – 1:45pm: Rules for Entrepreneurs (and their Marketing Teams)

  • Chris Allison, Former CEO of Tollgrade

1:15 – 1:45pm: The Rise and Power of CTV

  • Dan Wilson, Basis Technologies

1:45- 2:00pm: Networking

Keynote

2:00 – 2:30pm: Say Yes First, Figure it Out Later:  Leading Through Uncertainty

  • Tobias Roediger, The Chief Marketer

2:30 – 2:45pm: Networking

2:45 – 3:15pm: AdTech Stack Efficacy

  • JJ Villani, Basis Technologies
  • Jack Whisler, Basis Technologies

2:45 – 3:15pm: AAF National Government Affairs Update

  • Clark Rector, American Advertising Federation (AAF)

3:15 – 3:30pm: Networking

3:30 – 4:00pm: Building Belonging Through Branding:  How Bellevue Forward is Reimagining Community Identity

  • RJ Thompson, Bellevue Forward
  • Emmiley Stern, Bellevue Forward

3:30 – 4:00pm: Kicking Off Your Personal Brand

  • Marisa Corona, UPMC Health Plan

This session is open to all attendees, but of particular interest to young professionals.

Keynote Discussion

4:00 – 4:30pm

  • Erin Miller, Brand Strategies Group
  • Rebecca Farabaugh, Lighten Up

Panel Discussion

4:30 – 4:35pm: Closing Remarks

  • Dwayne Waite Jr, AAF Pittsburgh President, AAF PGH AdWeek Co-chair
  • Kristin Stahlman Bullington, AAF PGH AdWeek Co-chair