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Amidst economic uncertainty, how do we predict consumer shopping behavior in the near future and what that means for brands? What new retail formats are being tested that will surprise, delight and build loyalty among consumers? Personalization is evolving rapidly, giving rise to explosion of retail media networks – how are retailers innovating? What other shifts will brands and retailers need to make in order to provide value, quality, entertainment, service and convenience to shoppers?

Join the ARF on March 9 at Publicis’s Office in Chicago to hear how marketers and retailers are using latest research-based insights to understand today’s shopping behaviors, provide innovative personalized experiences to build brand loyalty, and connecting consumers to their marketing campaigns and sales.

You will learn:

• How and where consumers are shopping today.
• Why retail media networks continue to rise and are driving opportunity to help brands better connect with their consumers and their marketing campaigns to sales.
• How CTV viewing experiences are changing and transforming the way that shoppable interactive ads are delivered to consumers.
• Latest trends including social commerce, personalized shopping experiences, and metaverse opportunities.

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9:00 – 10:00am CT
Registration/Breakfast

10:00 – 10:10am
Opening Remarks
Scott McDonald, Ph.D. – President & CEO, ARF

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10:10 – 10:20am
Welcome
Helen Katz – EVP, Research, Publicis Media 

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10:20 – 10:40am
Shifting Consumer Shopping Behaviors and Path to Purchase
How and where are consumers shopping today? What impact has inflation, the recession, and pandemic had on consumer behavior and marketing? Hear about trends brands should be aware of in 2023. Connect the dots to dollars including digital commerce and the role of social media.
Ian Essling – Senior Director Survey Insights, Comscore
Jason Clough – Senior Director Client Insights, Comscore

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10:40 – 11:00am
Inflation & The Multicultural Shopper
The latest results will be shared from a proprietary study on inflation and its impact on US consumers—particularly multicultural consumers—across key categories. This research-based study includes insights on changes in the purchase journeys resulting from inflationary and other economic pressures, as well as key takeaways for brands as they engage consumers during these uncertain times.
Dana Sparber – VP, Insights and Research, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships

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11:00 – 11:20am
The Modern Grocery Run
This session explores the hybrid underpinnings of today’s grocery shopping trip and predicts how it will continue to evolve across physical and digital retail spaces over the next 10 years. This is a deep dive into the role brands play on online grocery platforms, by teasing out the habits and rituals of online shoppers, along with their expectations and levels of satisfaction online, and where these brand experiences converge and diverge with the IRL shelf. Which categories are more likely, and less likely, to be bought online vs inshore? What are the best fulfillment methods by category?
Julianne Hudson – VP, Marketing Science, VMLY&R Commerce

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11:20 – 11:40am
The Rise of the Confident Shopper
Step into the world of shopping trends to hear about the future of discovery and purchasing. Despite the societal uncertainties of 2023, there are still a hotbed of sold-out products, thanks to creators who’ve mastered the softer sell in marketing through genuine, joyful, and community-driven storytelling. Hear why this entertainment platform has become the go-to destination for consumers seeking the next must-have item. This session will explore the three driving forces shaping the way consumers shop in 2023: Actionable Entertainment, Making Space for Joy, and Community-Built Ideals.
Vita Molis – Head of Research & Insights, NA & Global Functions, TikTok
Cassie Taylor – Global Trend Lead, TikTok

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11:40am – 12:00pm
Live InContext Retail Media Testing
Do social media ads drive sales? Learn about a potential new currency to know which social media ads drive more sales on eCom sites. After being exposed to advertisements on social media sites and measuring consumers’ behavior – find out how ads evoke shoppers’ attention, interest, and purchase behavior at the ecom POS; and learn the value of ads based on quantifiable behavior – up to and including adding the cart.
Jeff (Ephraim) Bander – Chief Revenue Officer, Eye Square

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12:00 – 12:55pm
Lunch

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12:55 – 1:00pm
Welcome Back
Paul Donato – Chief Research Officer, ARF

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1:00 – 1:15pm
The Rise of Retail Media:  Latest Trends, Opportunities and Challenges for Retailers and Brands
The retail media landscape continues to grow. With third-party cookies disappearing, first-party data from Retail Media Networks is more important than ever. Hear how Retail Media Networks are driving opportunity to help brands better connect with their consumers and their marketing campaigns to sales.
Michael Ellgass – EVP Global Retail Marketing Solutions, IRI

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1:15 – 1:55pm
Panel Discussion:  Perspectives on the Rise of Retail Media
How are Retail Media Networks helping brands reach and engage shoppers?  Panelists discuss the latest opportunities and challenges for retailers and marketers.
Keith Bryan – President, Best Buy Ads, Media and CRM, Best Buy
April Carlisle – EVP, Commerce, Spark Foundry
Ben Tienor – Director, Gulp Media Network, 7-Eleven
Shawn McGahee – Head of Retail Media, Google
Ally Schnitzer – Retail Media Lead, PepsiCo
Moderator: Michael Ellgass – EVP Global Retail Marketing Solutions, IRI

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1:55 – 2:15pm
Connected Television: Engaging Consumers with Enhanced Ad Formats
CTV has had a profound impact on both consumer viewing habits and on marketers who are seeking to connect with audiences on the biggest screen in the home. From enhanced ads to improved measurement, hear about the latest trends and opportunities for brands, media planners, and consumers.
Tony Marlow – CMO, LG Ad Solutions

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2:15 – 2:45pm
Break

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2:45 – 3:05pm
The Future of Shopping:  Where, How and Why People Will Buy Things
Everything is shoppable. Social posts are shoppable. Video content is shoppable. Your voice assistant is shoppable. While “everything” is, indeed, shoppable…we need to start to include more in that “everything.” Discover how things like personal healthcare, electrification of transportation, and Artificial Intelligence will forever change shopping.
Elizabeth Harris – Chief Strategy Officer, Arc Worldwide
Melvin Melendez – Senior Art Director, Arc Worldwide

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3:05 – 3:25pm
Fireside Chat
Latest Trends in the Future of Impulse, Frictionless and Experiential Retail
Rohan Karankal – Global Shopper Insights, Center of Excellence, (CoE), Mondelēz International
Moderator: Jessica Wohl – Senior Editor, Ad Age

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3:25 – 3:50pm
Presentation
How Retailers are Connecting the Metaverse to the Real World and Revenue
AJ Dalal – Senior Managing Director, Data and Metaverse Strategy, Publicis Sapient

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3:50 – 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
Paul Donato – Chief Research Officer, ARF

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4:00 – 5:30 pm
Cocktail Reception