Close out Blackweek with @YellowPartyNYC! We are excited to invite attendees and special guests to the Official Closing Party. Open bar from 8-9pm and entry all night with your Blackweek badge.

Hosted by @andreggray
Sounds by @rynhills @lasflaquitas.nyc

Get your day started with coffee, juice, and light fare in the Premier lounge.

WPP and Blackweek are partnering to help expand visibility for diverse agency founders who are looking at potential M&A opportunities. WPP’s M&A team will host a private by invitation only CEO lounge inclusive of networking, presentations and real talk about the opportunities and obstacles facing diverse founders seeking M&A opportunities.

By invitation only

For decades, the Wayans family has reigned supreme in comedy, building a legacy on fearless creativity. Join WPP’s Global Chief Creative Officer Rob Reilly for a candid conversation with the iconic Marlon Wayans, as the pair discuss the power of Black ownership, the resurgence of humor in the advertising world, and the lessons brands can learn from a family that built an empire on laughter.

Black culture is the most influential culture in the world. It’s hard to debate the impact that Black culture has had on global culture, or is it. Despite Black culture’s contribution to sports, music, fashion and more, there are still some naysayers who refuse to give Black culture its props. In this unique keynote, Blackweek founders, Joe Anthony, Dabo Ché and Gabrielle Shirdan will discuss “How” Black culture has become so dominant in its influence and “How” it can help inform how brands can unlock their own cultural power.

As a major player in the amplification of culture, TikTok understands the need to shift and adapt swiftly to the needs of the communities you aim to serve. This interactive session will delve into how embedding culture as a core practice into the efforts of forward-thinking organizations amplifies expertise, nurtures loyalty, and promotes growth within vibrant communities. We’ll discuss the pivotal cultural strategies that strengthen brand and creator connections, leading to improved business results and real equity for the global majority.

Making wide scale change can feel impossible, especially when you’re just one person or one organization swimming in a much bigger systemic pond. This conversation is all about roadblocks to health equity, and how experts have learned to tear them down. We’ll dig into what’s happening both inside and outside our organizations, and explore how we can create lasting, meaningful change—from rethinking our business models, to better change management, and even the AI tools that can speed up progress. Buckle up, because health equity isn’t easy, but anything worth having rarely is.

Calling all creators, innovators, and storytellers! This BlackWeek, step beyond the panels and keynotes and dive into “The Business of Creator Storytelling: Ask the Experts”, an exclusive meetup designed for those who want to not only be inspired but to act. Hosted at Havas and curated with today’s leading voices in the creator economy, this event is all about empowering you with the tools to make your next move with confidence.

Moderated by the ever-charismatic Emanuel Nunn, former Brand Partnerships and Activations lead for the NFL and BET veteran, this special event brings together top minds who know the ins and outs of creator storytelling. From Tim Chau of Impact Media to Olivia Frary, the force behind ZCon and executive at UTA, and Chelsea Miller, co-founder of Freedom March NYC, you’ll get direct access to insights from experts who’ve not only been in the trenches but have redefined the game.

It’s not just talk—it’s your opportunity to ask the questions that matter, get actionable advice, and connect with others navigating this dynamic industry. After the Q&A, stick around for a mixer featuring the sounds of pareidolia.ww, with DJ Yodi setting the vibe. As you mingle, enjoy vegan bites from the highly acclaimed Aunts et Uncles. This event is all about breaking down what it means to thrive in the creator economy and walking away with the tools and connections to make it happen.

Blackweek will begin with a bang! Our opening night reception will be a place for all registrants to convene, network, hear opening remarks and experience some incredible live entertainment.

As we’ve received overwhelming interest in the event, we want to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible. RSVP is required. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis due to venue capacity limits. To guarantee your entry, we encourage you to arrive early, as we may not be able to accommodate additional attendees once we reach capacity. We truly appreciate your understanding and are looking forward to a fantastic event with you!

Let’s face it, everybody wants to win awards and be recognized for the work they do. However, the awards culture in advertising has a lot more implications than just acknowledging great work. Brands use your agency’s award history as way of determining your value. Executives want to work for agencies that have won, and they want to receive the type of briefs that allow them to create award-winning-worthy work. While this doesn’t sound bad at all, how does this affect diverse owned agencies, and executives who are fighting to get an opportunity to compete on a level where they can reap the awards of a Cannes Lion or an Effie? Is the awards industry inherently biased, does it inadvertently perpetuate bias, and how can it make itself more equitable? In this panel, Simon Cooke, CEO of Cannes Lion, will talk about the awards industry and the work he is doing to make awards work for everyone!