ABOUT THE WEEK

We’re coming back together in New York City for our second DC Week!

What makes DC Weeks special isn’t just the programming — it’s the people. Our creativity, curiosity, and drive to shape what’s next sets us apart. We’ll lean into what makes us unique: bold ideas, open minds, and a shared commitment to shaping what’s next. Get ready to be energized and inspired. 

This year we have three unique themes to guide our discussions during the week: 

  • Day 1: Our Creative Ambition
  • Day 2: Accelerating What's Next
  • Day 3: Power in Partnership

Each day will include select programming blocks, where attendance is highly encouraged. Please review the schedule and plan your week accordingly.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

AGENDA

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
OPENING SESSION: SETTING OUR CREATIVE AMBITION

 

We’ll kick off the week by framing our shared creative ambition, anchored in the belief that every great idea begins with creativity. This session introduces the business case for creativity with insights from our partners at System1, and the big moves that will shape our journey, laying the foundation for bold thinking, collaboration, and transformation ahead.

SPEAKERS:

  • Abbey Klaassen, Global Brand President & US CEO
  • Phil Gaughran, President, Global Creative Product, Strategy & Growth
  • Matt Owens, System1
LOCATION: 11th Floor - College Point
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH
 
LOCATION: 11th Floor - Café
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
IDEA BUILDER SHOWCASE

 

We’ve heard about the tool—now, as launch nears, it’s time to dig in. This session brings Idea Builder to life through hands-on demos and real use cases that show how it unlocks creativity across teams. Bring your laptop!

SPEAKERS:

  • James Thomas, AI, Innovation and Creative Technology Officer
  • Robin Ashford, Product & AI
  • and our experts from Google
LOCATION: 11th Floor - College Point
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
J-!P Day: Explore Anime, Manga & Brand Innovation

 

Curious about how anime and manga can power brand storytelling? Did you know dentsu is part of the production committee for Attack on Titan? Powered by Kodansha, a leading Japanese publisher and a key client partner, this distinctively dentsu experience will showcase how anime and manga partnerships drive client engagement and unlock brand innovation.

Don’t miss the chance to explore new creative possibilities and immerse yourself in Japanese culture with food, Suntory craft cocktails, and giveaways! RSVP here.

*This is a dentsu-wide event - encourage you to attend!

 

LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
MICROSOFT COPILOT: PROMPTING MASTER CLASS

 

Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Copilot with this hands-on session designed to elevate your prompting skills. 

Speakers: 

  • Amy Thorne, Chief Future Officer
  • David Wright, Dentsu Modern Workplace Solutions Specialist 

 

LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH
 
LOCATION: 14th Floor - Central Park Café
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
CREATIVE ACCELERATION LAB: ADOBE FIREFLY

 

Our teams are on the forefront of Adobe applications, like Firefly, seen as experts even by Adobe. In this session, we’ll make sure you know how to access the tool and through creative application workshops, you'll have time to play around in it too. Bring your laptop!

SPEAKERS:

  • Octavio Maron, EVP, Head of Content & Creative
  • Jovan Dupor, EVP, Performance Strategy
LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
WEBBY TALK: TRUST THE (GENERATIVE) PROCESS

 

Join The Webby Awards, General Manager Nick Borenstein for this year’s Webby Talk titled Trust the (Generative) Process: How the AI revolution is turning trust into the Internet’s most valuable currency, and making credibility the new gold standard for excellence. As the AI boom unleashes an era of limitless creativity, vibe coding, and virtual influence, it is also producing a new wave of skepticism—towards people, the internet, and the tools themselves. With traditional signals of trust dissolving, we are collectively seeking new forms of credibility online. A dive into how AI is transforming our relationship to credibility online—and why trust is the next great currency in the Intelligence Age, Trust the (Generative) Process explores how brands, creators, and platforms are embracing AI, while designing experiences that are credible and worth believing in.

 

LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
ROADMAP TO CREATIVE EXCELLENCE: Q&A WITH JOHN MESCALL

 

Join for a Q&A with Global Chief Creative Partner, John Mescall, where you’ll get an advanced look at his approach to creative excellence. Submit your questions in advance via our anonymous survey here.

SPEAKER:

  • John Mescall, Global Chief Creative Partner
LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH
 
LOCATION: 14th Floor - Central Park Café
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Q&A WITH BETH ANN KAMINKOW

 

Join us for a live Q&A with Beth Ann Kaminkow, CEO, dentsu North America, as she draws on her creative agency experience, answers your questions, and shares her vision for Dentsu Creative. Submit your questions in advance via our anonymous survey here. 

SPEAKERS:

  • Beth Ann Kaminkow, CEO, dentsu North America
  • Julie Scelzo, Chief Creative Officer
LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
UNCOVER MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH REDDIT INSIGHTS

 

An interactive session with Reddit, where they'll showcase their new AI powered Reddit Insights Tool and how it uncovers meaningful conversations, trends, and cultural signals. You’ll see firsthand how these insights can inform sharper, more resonant creative decisions.

 

LOCATION: 14th Floor - Grand Central
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CLOSING + HAPPY HOUR

 

We'll close out the week by bringing everything full circle—from setting our creative ambition and understanding why it matters, to exploring how we're accelerating and activating for what's next.

Then, we'll come together to raise a glass!

 

LOCATION: 14th Floor - Central Park Café

FAQs

Q: How can I get badge/building access? 

  1. Email PhysicalSecurityAmericas@dentsu.com with your full name and office location.
  2. Attach a color headshot against a neutral background.
  3. Your new badge will be ready to pick up at Reception on the 13th floor.

 

Q: How can I request my Copilot license? 

A: Make sure you have requested your Copilot license in advance, so you can make the most of our workshop sessions. 

Request your license via GoTo:  👉 REQUEST COPILOT LICENSE HERE ON GOTO  

When requesting a license, you may be prompted to fill in the BPC & Finance Approver fields. If this happens, please enter BPC US004 and enter Steven Tanenbaum as the finance approver.  

 

Q: Will meals be provided?  

A: Lunch will be provided all three days from 12:00pm-1:00pm. We will host a Happy Hour on Thursday where there will be refreshments and light snacks.

 

Q: Am I expected to go to all of the programming?  

A: Please plan to attend the daily sessions to get the most out of the DC Week experience. Where possible, please avoid scheduling internal meetings, but as always, please adhere to client responsibilities. Floorplans, Wi-Fi details, Building Info, and more – can be found here: NYC Office Sharepoint

For any additional questions, please contact katherine.giannotti@dentsu.com.