Agenda | iMedia Future of Marketing Summit Australia

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 1

25 August 2025

9:00AM - 12:00PM

Delegate Registration

Delegates will arrive at the hotel to register and check in ahead of the afternoon formalities. A welcome lounge will be set up with refreshments and snacks.

* Hotel check in guarantee from 3pm.

12:15PM - 2:00PM

Marketers-Only Lunch | Brought to you by IAS

Jessica Miles

Country Manager
Integral Ad Science

12:30PM - 2:00PM

Networkers Briefing Lunch

All networkers will be treated to a light lunch. Discover how to maximise your experience at iMedia, gain valuable insider tips, and ensure all your meetings are scheduled for Business Connect.

2:00PM - 2:10PM

Marketers Business Connect Registration

Marketers will make their way to the Ballroom to check-in and find their tables for Business Connect with first the meeting.

2:10PM - 2:20PM

Networkers Business Connect Registration

Networkers will make their way to the Ballroom to check-in and find their tables for Business Connect with first the meeting.

2:20PM - 2:30PM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Join Helena Stylman and the iMedia team for a warm welcome. Helena will guide you through the top industry topics identified by our Advisory Board. This is a great chance to catch up on the latest trends and insights in the field.

Helena Stylman

Managing Director ANZ
iMedia

2:30PM - 2:55PM

Opening Keynote | Brought to you by Partnerize

2:55PM - 5:30PM

Business Connect

The dynamic Business Connect session is an experience in itself and unique to iMedia Summits. Attendees will delve into 10 x 10 minute efficient and purposeful meetings. In these quick yet impactful sessions marketers will get the chance to uncover synergies, tap into innovative solutions, and open the door for a prospective business partnership. This session is all about maximising a marketers networking and tech awareness, and driving strategic goals to gain that competitive edge. Delegates are required to request and confirm these meetings prior to the summit.

5:30PM - 6:45PM

Free Time

Delegates will be able to use this time to refresh, check-in with work and explore the surroundings.

6:45PM - 7:00PM

Pre Dinner Drinks

Drinks will be served at the foyer in front of the ballroom, providing delegates with the opportunity to network with each other before the dinner commences.

7:00PM - 10:00PM

Welcome Dinner

The official Welcome Dinner & networking reception held on the first night is the perfect way to build relationships with key conference delegates, speakers, and sponsors in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Dinner Keynote - Stay Tuned!

Day 2

26 August 2025

6:30AM - 8:30AM

Breakfast

Delegates will be provided with an amazing breakfast buffet at the hotel and freshly brewed Barista coffee to fuel up for an action-packed day ahead.

8:30AM - 8:40AM

Opening Remarks

Yvonne Adele

Event Host and Official MC
iMedia

8:40AM - 9:15AM

The Augmented CMO: Leveraging AI to Amplify Human Creativity and Strategic Vision

As customer intent becomes more complex and fleeting, the traditional role of the CMO is under pressure. Consumers now move through decision journeys that are fast, unpredictable, and heavily influenced by context—making old-school marketing models feel increasingly out of step.

This session explores how marketing leadership needs to evolve to keep pace, focusing on the role of AI in decoding and responding to shifting customer expectations.

What’s covered:

Why the familiar funnel no longer fits, and what marketing leaders must do when journeys become moment-driven and nonlinear
How the most effective CMOs are moving beyond creative oversight to become architects of human-AI collaboration
The new skills marketing leaders need—from understanding AI’s capabilities to managing its ethical use
The pitfalls faced by CMOs who can’t connect creative instinct with tech-powered execution
How forward-thinking teams are restructured to blend imagination with intelligence, ensuring speed and relevance at every touchpoint

This is a look at the past, present, and future of customer intent—and how AI is rewriting the rules. The CMO of tomorrow won’t just use AI—they’ll rethink their entire role to bridge the gap between human needs and machine-powered marketing. Those who don’t risk falling behind, no matter how strong their brand or market share.

Anthony Mittelmark

Strategic Innovation Consultant & Fractional CTO

9:15AM - 9:40AM

Brand Storytelling in the Digital Age: Crafting Narratives That Resonate

People don’t buy products—they buy stories. Learn how to create authentic, emotionally driven narratives that connect with audiences and build lasting brand loyalty.

9:40AM - 10:15AM

Marketing Masterminds Round 1

Join us for a series of dynamic roundtable discussions where collaboration leads to innovation. In these 30-minute sessions, you’ll connect with industry peers to tackle common challenges, exchange success stories and explore cutting-edge strategies shaping the future of marketing. Forge meaningful connections, explore best practices, and become an integral part of the marketing community’s evolution.

10:15AM - 10:45AM

Coffee Break

Take a breather and enjoy a refreshing morning tea break. It's a great time to unwind, mingle with other attendees, and prepare for the next set of discussions.

10:45AM - 11:10AM

Influencer Marketing 2.0: Building Authentic Partnerships for Real Results

Influencer marketing has evolved—are your strategies keeping pace? This session explores how to move beyond sponsored posts and build authentic, long-term partnerships with creators who genuinely align with your brand values. Discover how to drive deeper engagement, boost credibility, and create influencer campaigns that deliver measurable business impact.

11:10AM - 11:20AM

Brand Purpose in 2025: More Than Just a Mission Statement

Consumers are done with surface-level promises. Dive into how the most successful brands are redefining purpose—making it actionable, relatable, and central to everything they do.

11:20AM - 11:55AM

Marketing Masterminds Round 2

Join us for a series of dynamic roundtable discussions where collaboration leads to innovation. In these 30-minute sessions, you'll connect with industry peers to tackle common challenges, exchange success stories and explore cutting-edge strategies shaping the future of marketing. Forge meaningful connections, explore best practices, and become an integral part of the marketing community's evolution.

11:55AM - 12:05PM

Winning the Search Game: How to Drive More Organic Traffic in 2025

Search engines are evolving, and so are the ways consumers shop online. The question is—how do you stay ahead? This session unpacks the latest trends in search behaviour, revealing what truly makes a high-ranking result stand out. Backed by deep data insights, we’ll break down which search features matter most in different industries and how you can optimise your site to drive more clicks. Plus, we’ll explore the growing role of digital trust and personalisation in shaping search visibility. If organic traffic is a priority, this is your roadmap to better rankings and more conversions.

12:05PM - 12:15PM

Turning Data Chaos into Clarity: Smarter Strategies for Marketing ROI

Data is everywhere—but is it actually working for you? Too often, marketers struggle with fragmented systems, outdated insights, and messy processes that slow decision-making. This interactive session dives into how to clean up your data strategy, break down silos, and create a seamless flow of insights that drive real business impact. From selecting the right tools to ensuring data quality, we’ll explore practical ways to turn raw data into smarter decisions, better customer experiences, and higher returns.

12:15PM - 12:50PM

Marketing Masterminds Round 3

1:00PM - 5:00PM

Activity

Sailing in Paradise

Step aboard your very own private catamaran and get ready for an afternoon of sailing through the stunning Gold Coast Broadwater—your new personal playground. Surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters and breathtaking views, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a postcard.

Sail the Gold Coast's magnificent waterways from Southport to Sovereign Islands, cruise past sensational superyachts, visit isolated islands and pristine beaches, experience the thrill of sailing in complete comfort, and if the wind strikes, we will 'raft up' for a party on the water.

It’s the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and laughs, all set against the best backdrop imaginable. So, hop aboard for an unforgettable day on the water!

Dress code alert: Swimmers and towel (if you plan to swim), jacket (for cooler days), sunglasses and sunscreen, and shoes that you can easily slip off.

Paint & Sip

Ready to unleash your inner Picasso? Join us for a 3-hour paint and sip session at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, where you'll get to sip wine, snack on nibbles, and (attempt to) create a masterpiece. Our team of expert artists will walk you through everything from beginner brushstrokes to advanced techniques, but don’t worry—we’ll leave plenty of room for you to go rogue.

By the end of the day, even if your “abstract” art looks like a toddler’s masterpiece, you’ll still leave with something you can proudly hang on your fridge.

Golf

Get ready to swing into action at the stunning RACV Royal Pines Resort for a nine-hole competition that promises laughs, some very serious friendly rivalry, and maybe a few golf swings that leave us all wondering what just happened.

You’ll be teamed up in squads of four, where golf lovers (and those just here for the fun) can unite for the most social game around—Ambrose! After your team's valiant efforts to conquer the course (or, you know, just pretending to know what you’re doing), join us for well-deserved drinks and the all-important awards ceremony. Who’s taking home the trophies for First Place, Longest Drive, and Nearest to the Drive? Spoiler alert: It’s anyone’s game!

Brace yourself to swing, sip, and socialise like a golfing pro... or at least look the part while you’re at it!

Dress Code Alert: Collared shirts only, no singlets or t-shirts, and please, no thongs (we’re not on a beach). Closed shoes only—leave your metal spikes at home, it’s a soft spike course.

5:00PM - 6:30PM

Free Time

6:30PM - 9:30PM

Poolside Reception

After an eventful day, we will wrap up with dinner by the pool. This culinary experience offers various food stations and plenty of time for our delegates to network and unwind.

Day 3

27 August 2025

6:30AM - 8:45AM

Breakfast

Day 3 begins with breakfast and barista coffee!

8:45AM - 9:00AM

MC Opening Remarks

Yvonne Adele

Event Host and Official MC
iMedia

9:00AM - 9:35AM

From Efficiency to Effectiveness—How Generative AI Transforms Marketing Impact

Generative AI is rapidly changing the way marketing teams work, but is it just making us faster, or is it making us more effective? In this session, we’ll move beyond the hype and explore how AI can drive true marketing impact—enhancing creativity, sharpening strategy, and delivering better-performing campaigns.

We’ll examine real-world case studies of brands using AI not just to automate tasks, but to improve message resonance, personalisation, and decision-making. You’ll learn how AI can be a strategic thought partner, helping marketers refine ideas, optimise content, and create stronger customer connections.

Most importantly, we’ll discuss how marketing teams can integrate AI without losing the human insight and creativity that drive long-term brand success. Whether you’re an AI sceptic or an early adopter, this session will give you a practical roadmap for using AI to make your marketing more effective—not just more efficient.

Mark Byrne

Co-Founder, AI Strategy & Innovation
Headspring

9:35AM - 10:00AM

Rethinking Personalisation: When Data Becomes Creepy

Personalisation has been a marketing holy grail for years, but in the wake of data privacy regulations and shifting consumer sentiment, it’s becoming clear that there’s a fine line between relevance and intrusion. This session will explore how brands can balance personalisation and privacy, delivering meaningful experiences without alienating their audience. Learn what’s working, what’s not, and how to build a data-driven strategy that respects boundaries while driving engagement.

10:00AM - 10:10AM

Beyond Billboards: The New Era of Digital Out-of-Home

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) is evolving fast, offering brands smarter ways to connect with audiences in the right place, at the right time. But simply running digital ads on big screens isn’t enough—success lies in leveraging data, context, and creativity together. This session will explore how brands are using real-time triggers, audience insights, and dynamic content to maximize engagement. Expect fresh case studies, innovative campaign strategies, and practical takeaways to make your DOOH investments work harder.

10:10AM - 10:45AM

Coffee Break

Need a break from absorbing all this incredible content? Recharge and refuel with some morning tea. It's the perfect opportunity to relax, network, and prepare for the next wave of insightful sessions.

10:45AM - 11:10AM

The New Attention Economy: Cutting Through the Noise

With more content than ever competing for consumer attention, how do brands break through? Traditional advertising is losing its grip, and fleeting digital interactions make it harder to build lasting connections. This session delves into the neuroscience of attention, the psychology of consumer decision-making, and the creative strategies brands are using to hold interest in an era of constant distraction. Walk away with actionable insights to make your brand impossible to ignore.

11:10AM - 11:25AM

The Trust Deficit: Winning Customers in a Skeptical World

Consumers are more skeptical than ever—so how do brands build real trust? From ethical data use to authenticity in messaging, this session unpacks what it takes to earn and keep customer confidence in 2025.

11:25AM - 11:35AM

Marketing Mix Modeling: Smarter Spending, Bigger Impact

With increasing pressure to prove ROI, how can marketers ensure every dollar delivers? This session breaks down the power of Marketing Mix Modeling, showing how to make data-driven budget decisions that actually move the needle.

11:35AM - 12:10PM

CMO PANEL

Stay tuned for more details to come!

12:10PM - 12:25PM

Closing Remarks/Ultimate Networker Prize

Be crowned the Ultimate networker and win a fabulous prize!

12:30PM - 1:30PM

Close the loop lunch

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

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2025 Agenda

2025 Theme: Adapting to Change: Resilience in Marketing Leadership

Day 1

25 August 2025

Day 2

26 August 2025

Day 3

27 August 2025

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