Must Do – PSFK New York Conference

We cannot stress to you how much we enjoyed last year’s PSFK Conference and on a daily basis, the company’s amazing website. We sound like gushy fans, but hell… that’s what we are. Thus, we were super psyched to buy our ticket for the upcoming PSFK New York Conference about ten minutes ago. Yes, we paid for it and we’re still on high from hitting the “buy” button. We’ll be the one with the name tag that reads “agency spy,” natch.

Get your tickets for Thursday, March 27th here. So far, it looks as though the 2008 event will focus on green, good, TV and social media. However, there six more talks that have yet to be added to the agenda. We’re hoping for gaming (though they did it last year) or gender/class/race or mobile, or, or….

Here’s some more info for you. Speakers so far… (they always add folks on closer to the day):

Adam Stotsky- NBC Universal (SciFi)
Andrew Hoppin – NASA
Eric Ripert – Le Bernardin
Graham Hill – Treehugger
Greg Verdino – Crayon
Jeff Staple – Staple Design
Johnny Vulkan – Anomaly
Josh Spear – Undercurrent
Marc Schiller – Electric Artists
Matthew Stinchcomb – Etsy
Mike Hudack – Blip.TV

Noah Brier – Likemind
Sascha Lewis – Flavorpill
Steve Rubel – Edelman
+ more to be announced

Topics On The Agenda include:

Finding Inspiration
Michelin star chef Eric Ripert explains how his three annual trips inspire his menu, service and brand.

Good Business
Is good the new green? Does being good mean making good profits? Graham Hill , Johnny Vulkan, Jeff Staple join a panel to investigate one of the key trends driving business.

Social Media
In a ‘new guns’ versus ‘marketing gurus’ debate, Josh Spear & Noah Brier join Marc Schiller & Steve Rubel to debate how social media will change in 2008 and how companies can leverage this digital phenomenon in the most rewarding way.

Does New York Matter?
Local observers discuss whether the culture created in New York has a role on a global stage.

Collaborative Working
Etsy and NASA explain how they engage their customers, staff, partners and the community with co-working spaces (real and virtual).

New TV
How has digital changed the delivery, content, sponsorship and future of television? Mike Hudack and Adam Stotsky join a panel discuss the opportunities and challenges.

Evening Party
PSFK will present an evening party open for all conference attendees and open guest list. More details to follow.

Misc Details
Time has been built in for networking. Ticket price includes coffee and lunch and WiFi should be avalable too. Seating is limited so tickets are expected to sell out early. Come join us.

Pay For Speak
PSFK operates a policy against the conference standard of ‘Pay For Speak’. You are paying $300 to see these people speak because we’re inspired by them not because those speakers have paid to be on stage by bunging us some sponsorship cash. Saying that, if an individual really inspires us, we’ll ask them to speak even if their employer is a sponsor.

Conference Call: The Engagement Debate

Conference schmonference. Well, usually, but right now, we’re trying to snag some free tickets for the upcoming Engagement Debate on February 20th. Since you aren’t a blogger and probably make a decent salary, you can get your legit tickets here.

Hosted by Rob Norman, Global Interaction CEO, GroupM and with Event Chair, Ian Schafer, CEO, Deep Focus, the events will “bring together some of the most innovative media executives, digital marketers, and thought leaders in our industry to debate: The right way and wrong way to create, measure and price engagement in a digital world.”

Fist fight anyone? Nah, but we wish.

Panelists include:

Colleen DeCourcy, Chief Digital Officer, TBWA
Quentin George, Chief Digital Officer, Universal McCann
Nada Stirratt, SVP MTVN
Adam Gerber, CMO, Quantcast
Jennifer Betka, SVP Veoh
Chris George, VP of Client Solutions, Fox Interactive Media
Abbey Klassen, Digital Editor, Advertising Age
Riccardo Zane, President, Agency.com New York
Erin Matts, Group Director, Strategy, OMD

Just a quick question – the event has something called a “green” sponsor who is MediaMath. The company is kind of like a Frank and Lillian Gilbreth for advertising. There’s nothing overtly green about them. Are they paying to make the event “pseudo-green” with carbon offsetting? Are they buying everyone Brita bottles, so there aren’t plastic empties everywhere? Are they just green, because someone decided they didn’t like silver? A little help please.

Plans For Monday

We’re going to be live blogging from the Convergence 2007: The Future of Advertising, Communications, & Media Conference on Monday. Should be interesting to hear what certain folks have to say including Scott Goodson, Co-Founder, CEO, & Chief Creative Officer; Hank Stewart, VP, Strategic Messaging, Green Team; Jerry Griffin, Senior Account Supervisor, Edelman and Sanem Erucar, Director, Strategic Planning, IAC.

What Happens In LA Does Not Stay In LA

The PSFK Conference Los Angeles was a smashing success. If you missed it (shame on you) head over to the site, where the staff is posting recaps and videos of all of the talks. Our favorites includes the Future of Content Panel hosted by Colin Nagy (Director at Source Communications) with panel guests Ezra Cooperstein of Current TV, Anil Dewan of KCRW, Rafat Ali of PaidContent.org and Kenny Ochoa of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Polygamous Marriage Conference

The Polygamous Marriage of account planning, media and creative is getting its own conference in New Orleans this October. Speakers include:

Adrian Ho – Zeus Jones
Ed Cotton – Butler Shine Stern & Partners
Jim Elms – Barkley
Gareth Kay – Modernista!
Demian Brink – Boone/Oakley
Lisa Seward – Mod
Paul Woolmington – Naked
John King – Fallon
Rob Walker – NY Times

To register visit polygamousweddings.com. They’ve got a cute site, which at least makes it look like it could be more fun than say, the 4A’s event. Speakers look a bit more cutting edge, too. Conference registration fees are $395 per person on or before September 15, $470 after.

What Artists Are Doing Should Matter To All Of Us

At Cannes, Jeff Goodby, (co-chairman, Goodby Silverstein & Partners) was talking about the lack of creativity in the industry echoing Marc Brownstein’s comments in Adage. Whiners. Anyway, we’ve greater a tag for inspiration as a way to help solve this crisis.

In a video from PSFK Conference London 07, the amazing Reginé Debatty of We Make Money Not Art describes how today’s artists explore electronics, digital bits and even the so-called “emerging technologies” such as biotechnology or nanotechnology; and explains why it should matter to us ad agency folk – very stimulating and all very true. Check it out here.

Los Angeles Or Bust

More of the agenda for the upcoming PSFK conference in Los Angeles has been posted. There’s a few more panelist and speakers coming, but the majority is set. Our favorite bits are below, but click on the link for the full fantastic line-up. You all know we’re big fans of the site since having attended their conference a few months ago in New York. Looks like we’re not the only ones who understand they got the goods – on the AdAge Power 150 list, they’re ranking in at number 12. See you there.

WHAT GOES ON IN LA, STAYS IN LA?
Nokia futurist Adriana Parcero looks at Los Angeles culture and discusses with the panel its importance for the rest of the world. Panel includes Tony Pierce (LAist) , Emmanuelle Richard (Vogue), Jeff Miller (Thrillist LA), Shana Nys Nambrot (Flavorpill LA).

THE FUTURE OF CONTENT
David Merkoski of Frog Design leads al panel discussion on the possible futures for entertainment content and the business models behind them. Panel includes Ezra Cooperstein (Current TV), Rafat Ali (PaidContent.org) and Kenny Ochoa (Sony BMG).

KALEIDOSCOPE
A panel chaired by Juan Guillermo Tornoe looks at the Hispanic market, its relationship with traditional America, its similarities, its differences and the important trends developing within it.

TRENDS & STARBUCKS
The coffee company’s chief trends person Jean-Marie Shields explains how understanding trends are vital for Starbucks future.

A SUICIDE GIRL’S STORIES
Missy, founder of Suicide Girls , explains how she took a different route to create differentiation in the mainstream.

TECHNOLGY, NEW FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT & CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT
Lenny Stern (SS+K/CAA) chairs a panel that looks at how emerging media and technology creates opportunities for brands to develop entertaining experiences to engage with consumers. Panel includes Anil Dewan (KCRW), Mike Monello (Campfire) and Ian Schafer (Deep Focus)

The American Ass of Advertising Agencies

The American Association of Advertising Agencies or as PSFK calls it, The American Ass of Advertising Agencies held their big conference this past week. PSFK has described the event as an “effing” waste of time. With a litany of complaints from the price ($3000) to the paid speakers, recruiters, lack of wifi and paid speakers, too. Check out our favorite highlights below or read the whole article here. That’s why we don’t go to these damn things.

“Go on, admit it. A conference that spent so much time talking about change that failed to inspire change.”

“Multiply price by ticket sales you get $1,040,000; subtract a little for discounts, speakers, space; then add sponsor and Payola fees, and you end up at… $1,040,000!”

“The AAAA stole our time and charged us for it. Shameful behavior – especially when there’s such a call for transparency in the industry.”

What Happens In LA, Stays In LA?

We’ve talked about the upcoming PSFK Conference before, but we’re mentioning it again because we’ve decided to fly out for the event considering the newly released morning agenda we got from one of the founders, Piers Fawkes. Check it out:

WHAT HAPPENS IN LA, STAYS IN LA?
Does the culture of LA matter to the rest of the world? A team of local journalists discuss why is it still important to watch what happens in LA.

DRIVE BY LA
Exploring a sub-culture driving an alternative to automobile transport.

ART & BEAUTIFUL MISTAKES
Artists describe their most beautiful mistakes in commercial art.

THE FUTURE OF CONTENT PANEL
A panel of producers discuss the possible futures for content and the businesses behind them.

VISUAL TRENDS
What can we learn about changes in culture through modern observation?

We’re psyched for the future of content panel, as well as the visual trends talk. And that’s just the morning. You should take note that early bird tickets are sold out, so ya’ll better hurry up if you don’t want to miss it. See a full list of the speakers and get tickets here.

You know how we feel about conferences generally, but the PSFK New York event blew are minds. Plus, after we observed that the Federated Media conference (which we were going to attend) is basically a play-to-play scheme, we’re in total support of any conference that is going to serve up actual unbiased information, experts and trends. If you are organizing a conference that falls under these terms, let us know at agencyspy at mediabistro dot com

Federated Media Doesn’t Get Transparency

Federated Media just got their butts handed to them for being involved in the Microsoft payola scheme and sources have pointed out that they may be up to the same old, grey shaded tricks. CEO John Battelle, who recently lost his advertising rep status for hot site Digg to Microsoft, should know by now that transparency counts. Battelle is starting to pimp his upcoming conference CM Summit 2007 with the sponsors being Ask.com, HP, Virgin America, AdAge, etc. Oddly, speakers at the conference include employees from almost every single one of those brands including working in Virgin America, which is an Anomaly account. AND THAT folks is what’s wrong with conferences. We don’t blame the speakers at all. While we’re sure that Scott Donaton (the Publisher of AdAge) or Greg Ott (VP of Global Marketing at Ask.com) have some interesting thoughts about media, for a ticket price of $695-$895 we require a little reassurance. Attendees should know that the people on these panels were selected because they’re footing the bills – not necessarily because they have some wise wisdom to share.

Ugh. We’re grossed out. If you want to go to a good conference where sponsors are not speakers and guests are selected based on merit, creativity, success and knowledge, check out our top rated suggestion.