Advertising Week has historically been a "week of dissonance, " and this year was no exception. The conversations revolved around the changing venue and the latest hot topic, while avoiding discussions on current world events. However, there were some notable highlights from the past four days of Advertising Week. One significant topic that emerged was the potential of AI. While not dominating every discussion, AI was mentioned in various talks, extending beyond the hype of generative AI. The focus was on its practical applications and benefits for creativity, advertising optimization, and brand safety. However, concerns regarding bias, toxicity, and adversarial injections were also raised, suggesting a need for further work in these areas. The potential uses and misuses of AI may even lead to the rise of chief ethical officers within companies. Another buzzworthy topic was leveraging brand intellectual property (IP) to create entertainment content. This trend was exemplified by Barbie's collaboration with Hollywood for a film, generating excitement and opening up new possibilities for brands to connect with audiences beyond their primary products.

Build-A-Bear, for instance, plans to release a holiday film this year, and other brands are expected to follow suit in the coming years. Gaming as a marketing channel also received significant attention at Advertising Week. Sessions dedicated to discussing the marketing and advertising power of video games attracted considerable foot traffic, reflecting brands' growing interest in this advertising avenue and its role in discussing concepts like the metaverse and Web3. Additionally, in the realm of podcast advertising, programmatic audio capabilities emerged as a game-changer. Host-read ads that were once permanently embedded within content have transitioned to dynamically inserted ads, allowing for better measurement and comparison against other media formats. This shift also aligns with the goals of top brand marketers, who seek to drive creative testing and gauge audience sentiment in podcast campaigns. Furthermore, podcast advertising has embraced the sense of community fostered by creators and their listeners. Advertisers recognize the unique storytelling opportunities that podcasts provide, particularly for topics like sustainability and wellness. These themes resonate with listeners who want to align with brands' mission-based messaging, resulting in increased brand loyalty and engagement. While the virtual events of the COVID-19 era have sparked discussions about the value of large-scale in-person gatherings, platforms like Twitch still prioritize live events as essential components of their marketing strategies. The social platform formerly known as Twitter is also experiencing changes, and brands and retailers may be reevaluating their use of it in their marketing approaches. In summary, Advertising Week showcased key conversations on AI, brand IP, gaming as a marketing channel, programmatic audio in podcast advertising, and brand storytelling through podcast communities. These insights reflect the evolving advertising landscape and the ongoing pursuit of innovative strategies to connect with audiences.