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October 16, 2025

NYC

Optable Connect is an exclusive event for the leaders across the sell and buy sides of the ad ecosystem. Join us for focused conversations on the industry's changing identity infrastructure, adtech's AI transformation, and the next phase of privacy-first data collaboration solutions.

In partnership with

About the event

AI is one of the most disruptive forces shaping the media and advertising industry today. But when it comes to our identity and data infrastructure, the impact is still uncertain. This foundation is already being reshaped by fragmentation, data silos, and growing privacy demands—making it harder than ever for media buyers & sellers to plan, activate, and measure effectively.

At the same time, AI can help us overcome these challenges—but only if it’s built on an interoperable data layer and with an agentic approach that can learn and improve over time. That’s why the path forward requires buyers and sellers working more closely together.

Let’s explore how the industry is investing in both data and AI, why identity remains central to progress, and what the future of data-driven media could look like in an AI-powered world.

Agenda

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:00 PM

Opener

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Session 1

AI in Media Buying: What's real, what's not, and where are we going?

This session explores how AI is reshaping decision-making in media buying. Expect insights on how buyer behavior is evolving, what signals still matter, and how AI-driven strategies are changing planning and activation. Moderated by Optable’s CEO Vlad Stesin, the panel is led by innovators from Scope3, Newton Research & Rill data who will cut through the hype to assess what AI in media is truly delivering today, where it still falls short, and what lies ahead for the industry.

Vlad Stesin

CEO & Co-Founder,
Optable
(moderator)

Brian O'Kelley

CEO & Co-Founder,
SCOPE3

John Hoctor

CEO & Co-Founder,
Newton Research

Michael Driscoll

CEO & Co-Founder,
RILL DATA

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Session 2

AI in Action: A live look at how AI agents are powering data-driven audience building & optimization

A practical look at how AI is applied in real-world use cases. Join us for an immersive, live-session experience where expert presenters illuminate how AI agents are becoming the engine of modern audience strategy by building, optimizing, and activating with unprecedented precision and speed.

Bosko Milekic

CPO & Co-Founder,
Optable

Jeremie Laselle Ratelle

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER,
Optable

John Hoctor

CEO & Co-Founder,
Newton Research

Michael Driscoll

CEO & Co-Founder,
RILL DATA

2:15 - 2:30 PM

Break

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Session 3

From Signal Loss To Quality Audiences: How Unity & Partners Deliver High Value Audiences On & Off Network

As the advertising ecosystem continues to evolve, one truth is clear: the strongest audience strategies are rooted in first-party data, Agentic AI, and streamlined activation. This session explores how Unity, Experian, and Optable are building durable, high-value audiences for their advertising partners. This approach helps advertisers reach a highly engaged audience in gaming, leverage valuable audience insights, and scale and by activating partner ecosystems on & off site.

Patrick Viau

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER,
OPTABLE
(Moderator)

Speakers To Be Announced
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session 4

Creating A Buyer & Seller Win-Win With Curation

In a landscape where programmatic media often struggles with fragmentation and inefficiency, curation is emerging as a powerful solution. One that aligns both buyer and seller for shared success. This session dives into how leading innovators are rethinking the ecosystem toward curated, performance-first marketplaces.

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Rob Beeler

founder,
Beeler tech
(MODERATOR)

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Paul Bannister

Chief Strategy Officer,
Raptive

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Lori Goode

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER,
INDEX EXCHANGE

3:30 PM – 3:40 PM

Break

3:40 PM – 4:10 PM

Session 5

Fueling Smarter Media: How Hearst & The Weather Company Are Harnessing Data & AI to Drive Audience Value

As publishers shift from traditional models to data-rich, outcome-driven strategies, namesake publishers like Hearst & The Weather Company stand at the forefront. In this fireside chat, Jessica Hogue, Chief Data Officer of Hearst (Consumer Media) & Felix Zeng, SVP of Programmatic of The Weather Company, offer an insider’s view into how the company is leveraging data and AI to strengthen business profiles, optimize ad monetization, and power next-generation addressability.

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Kristy Schafer

VP of Sales,
Optable
(MODERATOR)

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Jessica Hogue

Chief Data Officer,
Hearst

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Felix Zeng

SVP OF PROGRAMMATIC,
THE WEATHER COMPANY

4:10 PM – 4:30 PM

Session 6

How The Data Landscape Is Helping To Power The Next Era Of Addressability

The advertising industry is in the middle of a fundamental transition. As cookies disappear and device-based identifiers decline, the question of how to reach and measure audiences responsibly has never been more urgent. Yet, the next era of addressability isn’t about patchwork fixes. It is about building durable, future-proof solutions rooted in first-party data, flexible identity frameworks, and activation models that work across channels.

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Andrew Dumas

Managing Director, USA,
Optable
(Moderator)

Speakers To Be Announced
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Closing Remarks & Takeaways

Vlad Stesin

CEO & Co-Founder, Optable

Bosko Milekic

CPO, Co-Founder,
Optable

5:00 - 7:00 PM

Networking Reception

We'll close the afternoon with a relaxed open-air networking and cocktail reception—the highlight of the day! Enjoy the stunning terrace views, sip refreshing drinks, and mingle with fellow attendees in a vibrant, social setting. To set the perfect mood, we're bringing you live music by New Yacht City, delivering upbeat energy and smooth vibes.

Request to Attend

Submit your details below — If it looks relevant for you, we’ll send you a personal invite and keep you updated on the agenda.

Here's where to find us:

PEOPLE INC.  EVENT CENTER (ex-DOTDASH MEREDITH)
225 Liberty St, 4th Fl. New York,
New York 10281