SocialNext: Toronto: Full Schedule

Welcome to SocialNext: Toronto
We’re glad you’re here.

8:00am EDT

Coffee Reception

Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Coffee/Networking

8:45am EDT

Welcome Remarks

Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 8:50am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 8:50am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

8:50am EDT

The Business of Influence: Humanizing B2B

Friday April 25, 2025 8:50am - 9:15am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

A detailed view of the opportunities to deliver thought leadership within the B2B and B2C space. Driven by data and insights from the B2Bi.

Who should attend?
Digital Marketers, and Team Leaders

Speakers

Sean McConnell

Sr. National Agency Development Lead, Canada, LinkedIn

Friday April 25, 2025 8:50am - 9:15am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

9:15am EDT

The Alchemy of Effectiveness: A Focus on Canada

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 9:40am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Explore how Canadian agencies are driving marketing effectiveness with data from the 2024 Effie competition. Learn how campaign inputs like media spend and strategy translate into business results like brand growth and customer acquisition. Gain actionable insights to elevate your marketing efforts for long-term success.

Who should attend?
Executives and Team Leaders

#MarketingEffectiveness #FocusOnCanada #AlchemyOfEffectiveness

Speakers

Paul Tedesco

Volunteer Chair, Marketing Effectiveness Council, Institute of Canadian Agencies

Paul has over 25 years of experience in building some of Canada's leading CRM, digital, data, and analytics agencies. With a focus on guiding customers through their journey to engagement and conversion, Paul leverages his extensive expertise in data-driven marketing and sales enablement... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 9:40am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

9:40am EDT

Cockroaching It Out: A Founders Guide to Survival in 2025

Friday April 25, 2025 9:40am - 10:05am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

A story of business building, marketing, survival, and what community really means in 2025.

Who should attend?
Executives, Community Managers, Managers, Team Leaders, Digital Marketers, Social Media Managers, and Communications Experts

Speakers

Sarah Stockdale

Founder, Growclass

Sarah Stockdale is the Founder of Growclass, an award-winning Growth Marketing Certification and large, global community of Founders and Marketers. Before founding Growclass Sarah led growth teams for Tilt (acq by Airbnb) and Wave (acq in one of the largest Canadian exits of all time... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 9:40am - 10:05am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

10:05am EDT

Adapting to the AI-Driven Search Revolution

Friday April 25, 2025 10:05am - 10:30am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

As the search continues to evolve with the rise of AI search, expanding social platforms, and shifting user behaviour, the reliance on traditional tactics to improve brand visibility and ranking is insufficient. It's becoming increasingly critical to interpret context, sentiment, and conversation within social platforms, communities to form content strategies suited for AI Search. In this presentation, the NP Digital team will delve into the changing landscape of search and share actionable strategies for thriving in this new ecosystem.

Learn how to adapt your content approach to maximize online visibility, drive meaningful traffic, and ensure your brand remains front and center in an AI-first world. Whether you're navigating AI-enhanced search, leveraging social growth, or aligning with emerging trends, this session will equip your team with the insights and tactics needed to stay ahead.

Who should attend?
Executives, Team Leaders, Managers, Digital Marketers

Speakers

Basil Hatto

SVP Product, NP Digital

Basil Hatto currently serves as NP Digital’s Senior Vice President of Product and Growth at NP Digital, where he spearheads agile product innovation using data and analytics to identify areas of monetization for Canadian clients. With over two decades of diverse leadership experience... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 10:05am - 10:30am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

11:00am EDT

Moments Matter More

Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

TikTok continues to be the go-to destination for experiencing and participating in the world’s biggest cultural moments. Learn why moments matter more on TikTok, and how brands can turn cultural events into lasting connections.

Who should attend?
Executives, Digital Marketers, Social Media Managers, Communications Experts, and Community Managers

Speakers

Kristin Izumi

Brand Partnerships, Global Business Solutions, TikTok Canada

Kristin Izumi is an award-winning brand strategist with 15 years of experience helping the world’s leading brands connect with culture through content. Her career spans nearly every industry from luxury and retail to travel and finance. Today, she helps brands make meaningful moves... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

11:35am EDT

Getting To Know Reddit: Right audience, right context, right impact

Friday April 25, 2025 11:35am - 12:00pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Communities and conversations to tomorrow's recommendations. How conversations drive decisions.

Who should attend?
Executives, Digital Marketers, Social Media Managers, and Community Managers

Speakers

Ian Lopez

Manager, Mid-Market Sales, Reddit Canada

Ian Lopez is a Manager of Mid Market Sales at Reddit, where he leads a team focused on driving strategic partnerships with service-based brands across Canada. With over a decade of experience at industry leaders like Reddit, TikTok, Meta, and The Score, Ian has helped companies unlock... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 11:35am - 12:00pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

1:00pm EDT

Once the Ink Dries: Activating Sponsorship for Impact

Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:25pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Signing a sponsorship or partnership agreement is only half the battle. In this session, we’ll talk about what happens after the ink dries. How do you transform a signed contract into a dynamic, mutually beneficial partnership? We’ll cover strategies for amplifying sponsorships and partnerships, focusing on active engagement, building long-term audience relationships, and creating value that extends beyond the paper. This talk is for anyone looking to activate their sponsorship deals into living, breathing opportunities for growth and impact, fostering creative activations that help your brand leap beyond your logo and connect with your community in a meaningful way.

Who should attend?
Managers, Executives, Team Leaders, and Communications Experts

Speakers

Nithya Ramachandran

T1, President & CSO

Nithya is President & CSO at T1, a full-stack sponsorship marketing agency, where she leads with a focus on collaboration, community impact, and strategic growth. With a passion for supporting equity-deserving communities, she advocates for people-centered leadership and champions... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:25pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

1:35pm EDT

Turn Followers into Advocates Through Community-Led Marketing

Friday April 25, 2025 1:35pm - 2:00pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

The future of marketing is not just about capturing attention but owning the relationship. In this practical session, Joe Teo, CEO, and Alyssa Pulford, Community Strategist of HeyOrca, will walk you through a step-by-step guide to creating a community-led strategy. Learn how to future-proof your marketing so you’re ready for anything, from algorithm changes to platform bans.

Who should attend?
Executives, Managers, Team Leaders, Digital Marketers, Social Media Managers, Communications Experts, and Community Managers

Speakers

Alyssa Pulford

Community Strategist, HeyOrca

Alyssa Pulford started with HeyOrca back in 2021 when the community was quiet and not very engaged. In the past few years, she's grown the HeyOrca Community Facebook Group to 11,000+ members, created the HeyOrca Stans program, and curated a daily newsletter for social media managers... Read More →

Joe Teo

Chief Executive Orca, HeyOrca

Joe Teo is the CEO and co-founder of HeyOrca, a social media management platform helping teams and agencies build thriving communities. He’s also a "dad-in-training" to two young kids, navigating the beautiful chaos of business and family life in Newfoundland.

Friday April 25, 2025 1:35pm - 2:00pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

2:10pm EDT

Overcome The Scarcity Of Earned Media: Make the Most of a Great Story

Friday April 25, 2025 2:10pm - 2:35pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

This session explores the power of earned media—what it is, why it matters, and how to make it work for you. Learn how to craft impactful stories and maximize their reach using the PRAC (Public Relations Audience-Centered) Approach to connect more effectively with your audience.

Who should attend?
Executives, Managers, Team Leaders, Communications Experts, and Community Managers

Speakers

Lana Rogers

Founder, Gentle Lion Communications

Leading with signature drive and all heart, Lana Rogers has been immersed in the marketing and public relations industry for almost two decades. As the Founder of Gentle Lion Communications, Lana is known for redefining the communications model and bids farewell to formalities and... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 2:10pm - 2:35pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

3:00pm EDT

The Future of Digital Advertising: Choice and Control

Friday April 25, 2025 3:00pm - 3:25pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

A panel discussion on how brands and agencies can navigate the evolving ad landscape, balancing privacy, personalization, and performance. Along with Yahoo participants can include: A brand-side marketer who’s actively investing in CTV; An agency leader who can speak to the evolving media mix

Who should attend?
Digital Marketers, Executives, and Managers

Speakers

Devon MacDonald

President, Cairns Oneil

Devon is President and CEO at Cairns Oneil, Canada’s leading independent media agency. Devon has extensive experience in the media, technology, and creative industries and uses his background to help his clients and teams achieve their ambition. In 2022 Devon was named the Media... Read More →

Ana Tomas

Senior Marketing Manager, Google

Marketing leader Ana Tomas has over a decade of experience managing top Canadian brands. Currently at Google, she helps businesses adopt AI-powered ad solutions, and previously led many of Canada’s most beloved brands at Johnson & Johnson. Passionate about education, Ana teaches... Read More →

Vince Simone

Head of DSP Sales, Yahoo Canada

Vince Simone is the Head of DSP Sales at Yahoo where he works closely with Canada's top agencies and brands, helping them achieve their marketing goals. A seasoned advertising professional with over 25 years of experience, Vince has a strong background in programmatic advertising... Read More →

Saad Uddin

CEO, Native Touch

Saad Uddin is the CEO of Native Touch, a 14 year old advertising technology firm and Candy Banners, a creative production studio. He's an active angel investor, investing in anything media or tech related. With over 15 years in the digital media space, his focus is on supporting his... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 3:00pm - 3:25pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

3:25pm EDT

Understanding Consumer Intent

Friday April 25, 2025 3:25pm - 3:50pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

A Google only view on how fast consumer behavior is changing and how best to understand and capture that intent with AI.

Who should attend?
Executives, Managers, Team Leaders, and Digital Marketers

Speakers

Alyza Keshavjee

Head of Consumer Insights, Google

Meet Alyza: a team-building, strategy-shaping, insight-monetizing powerhouse. Right now, she's leading the charge at Google’s Canada Insights Team, turning consumer data into C-suite gold. With a Harvard MBA, stints at BCG and Manulife, Alyza is in the business of helping marketers... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 3:25pm - 3:50pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

3:50pm EDT

The Art & Science of Persuasion

Friday April 25, 2025 3:50pm - 4:15pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Contrary to popular belief, sales and negotiation are skills that can be learned, not innate talents reserved for a few. While many frameworks exist, the tactical skills to implement them effectively are often neglected. What do you say to open a meeting? How should you make your ask? How can you connect with people and build rapport quickly? This class aims to bridge that gap by incorporating research from psychology, behavioral economics, and influence.

Who should attend?
Team Leaders, Managers, Digital Marketers, Communications Experts, Community Managers, and Social Media Managers

Speakers

Darren Chiu

Co-founder, Captivate

Co-Founder Darren is a Strategy Lead at Google, helping brands across all industries develop best in class marketing strategies. With over 12 years of industry experience, Darren’s passion for communication doesn’t stop at the world of business and sales. In his spare time, Darren... Read More →

Ben Wise

Co-founder, Speaker, Captivate

Ben Wise is the co-founder of Captivate, helping educate on the psychology of persuasion. Beyond Captivate, he is a 15 year advertising industry veteran who has held successive sales and leadership roles at Google, where he is currently the Head of Programmatic Media. Ben is active... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 3:50pm - 4:15pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall

4:15pm EDT

Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks

Friday April 25, 2025 4:15pm - 4:25pm EDT

Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Friday April 25, 2025 4:15pm - 4:25pm EDT
Session in Keynote Hall (458)

Keynote Hall