5th - 6th March 2025

Agenda

Build your day at YMS NYC by checking out our jam-packed agenda. A full day of live keynotes, panel discussions and Q&As from leading brands, top advertisers and Gen Z voices. Stay tuned for weekly updates!

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All times listed in Eastern Time.
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Time
Session
8:30 am

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Day 1 - March 5th
8:30 am
-
9:30 am
Networking Area
Networking

Kick off day 1 with a flat white and homemade cinnamon bun before sessions begin. This is your chance to map out your not-to-be-missed sessions, the delegates you must connect with and the exhibitors who could help enhance your killer youth marketing strategy.

9:30 am

Welcome to YMS

Day 1 - March 5th
9:30 am
-
9:35 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

A big YMS welcome from Pion. Discover the vision for YMS and the importance of Gen Z and Gen Alpha as our future customers, our future employees and our future leaders.

9:35 am

The Transition to Zalpha: Decoding Youth Culture in 2025

Day 1 - March 5th
9:35 am
-
9:55 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

As the older cohort of Gen Zs approaches their 30s - what does a youth audience look like in 2025? With exclusive insights from Pion’s 2025 Youth Trends Report, uncover the transition to a new wave of 16-24s and the tools you need to unlock the values and purchasing power of this digitally fluent hybrid generation.

9:55 am

Predicting the Global Culture Curve

Day 1 - March 5th
9:55 am
-
10:35 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Join us for an insightful discussion on how brands can stay relevant while everything moves so quickly. Gain practical tips on predicting where culture is heading before it happens. More info coming soon!

10:35 am

DCDX - Session coming soon!

Day 1 - March 5th
10:35 am
-
11:00 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Gen Z research and strategy firm DCDX share their insights helping brands stay ahead of Gen Z. More info coming soon!

11:00 am

Morning Coffee & Networking Break

Day 1 - March 5th
11:00 am
-
11:30 am
Networking Area
Networking

Grab a coffee, chat to fellow delegates and meet the industry in our exhibition hall.

11:30 am

Welcome to Gen Alpha & What’s Next

Day 1 - March 5th
11:30 am
-
11:35 am
Stage 1
Gen Alpha & What’s Next

New for 2025! Prepare for another generational shift - there's a new kid on the block. It’s loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand it. This track shares what we already know about Gen Alpha and how they’ll be doing things differently.

11:30 am

Welcome to Shopping & Spending

Day 1 - March 5th
11:30 am
-
11:35 am
Stage 2
Shopping & Spending

What do next gen consumers want from their online or IRL shopping experiences, and how are brands tapping in? In this retail and ecommerce focused track, discover the strategies fuelling shopping habits of Gen Zalpha, plus what’s coming next with Alpha.

11:35 am

How to read Generations A to Z

Day 1 - March 5th
11:35 am
-
12:00 pm
Stage 1
Gen Alpha & What’s Next

What do we already know about the next generation and how will they be doing things differently? Get prepared for another generational shift as Josephine Hansom from Savanta shares her take on the largest generation of all time - Gen Alpha!

11:35 am

From media to merch: Overtime’s brand expansion into retail

Day 1 - March 5th
11:35 am
-
12:00 pm
Stage 2
Shopping & Spending

Overtime’s apparel business has exploded. We’re excited to be joined by Tyler Rutstein, Overtime’s Head of Brand & Commerce for a fireside chat on the strategy behind expanding a media brand into one of the most successful sports ecommerce businesses.

12:00 pm

Hello Gen Alpha! What does it mean to be a brand that kids love?

Day 1 - March 5th
12:00 pm
-
1:35 pm
Stage 1
Gen Alpha & What’s Next

Prepare for another generational shift - there's a new kid on the block in Alpha. It’s loud, opinionated, and you probably don't understand it. Hear from our panel of marketing experts at brands that kids love on how they are successfully engaging the next wave of young consumers.

12:00 pm

Session coming soon!

Day 1 - March 5th
12:00 pm
-
12:35 pm
Stage 2
Shopping & Spending
12:35 pm

Meet the Parents of Alphas: Open Mic Session

Day 1 - March 5th
12:35 pm
-
1:00 pm
Stage 1
Gen Alpha & What’s Next

Are you ready to hear the truth from the parents raising Gen Alpha? Put your burning questions to the parents navigating a generation of savvy kids that hold significant sway in family decision-making.

12:35 pm

The Transition to Zalpha and What that Means for Retail Brands

Day 1 - March 5th
12:35 pm
-
1:00 pm
Stage 2
Shopping & Spending

Our panel of leading retail experts share what the transition to Zalpha really looks like, how young consumers are shaping the ecommerce and in store trends of the future and which strategies are winning over this demographic.

1:00 pm

Lunch: YMS Food Festival

Day 1 - March 5th
1:00 pm
-
2:00 pm
Networking Area
Networking

It's time for lunch!

2:00 pm

Welcome back to Trends & Culture Chat

Day 1 - March 5th
2:00 pm
-
2:05 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

TBC

2:05 pm

Selfpublishing.com - Session Coming Soon!

Day 1 - March 5th
2:05 pm
-
2:30 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat
2:30 pm

Harnessing the Podfluencer: Engaging Gen Z Through the Power of Podcasts

Day 1 - March 5th
2:30 pm
-
3:00 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

In an era where authenticity reigns supreme, a new influencer has taken center stage—the podfluencer. According to Spotify's latest Trends Tour, 63% of listeners trust their favorite podcast hosts more than traditional social media influencers. This session will delve into the rise of podfluencers, uncovering how brands can tap into this burgeoning platform to foster genuine relationships, amplify their message, and resonate with the next generation of consumers.

2:55 pm

Junk Kouture - Session coming soon!

Day 1 - March 5th
2:55 pm
-
3:20 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Passionate about creativity and building a better future, Troy Armour, CEO of Junk Kouture shares how can you be part of the goal to enrich and empower the lives of 1 billion young people.

3:20 pm

Mini Refreshment Break

Day 1 - March 5th
3:20 pm
-
3:30 pm
Networking Area
Networking

It's time for coffee!

3:30 pm

Welcome to the Creators Lounge

Day 1 - March 5th
3:30 pm
-
3:35 pm
Stage 1
Creators Lounge

Work smarter not harder on your influencer marketing strategy! In the creators lounge, you’ll hear from the brands and creators that have been testing, learning, failing and winning.

3:30 pm

Welcome to Next Level Tech

Day 1 - March 5th
3:30 pm
-
3:35 pm
Stage 2
Next Level Tech

Be inspired by new tech, strategies and solutions for a next gen audience, plus explore how brands are driving innovation with AI, virtual worlds and immersive experiences.

3:35 pm

How Lenovo is tapping creators to build a stronger consumer brand

Day 1 - March 5th
3:35 pm
-
4:00 pm
Stage 1
Creators Lounge

As a leader in consumer electronics, Lenovo's Jessica Tomlinson will share how creator campaigns have helped the eComm side of the brand forge real connections with different consumer segments - from students to gamers and everyone in between.

3:35 pm

Next Level Tech Session 1

Day 1 - March 5th
3:35 pm
-
4:00 pm
Stage 2
Next Level Tech

TBC

4:00 pm

Creators Lounge Session 2

Day 1 - March 5th
4:00 pm
-
4:25 pm
Stage 1
Creators Lounge

TBC

4:00 pm

Next Level Tech Session 2

Day 1 - March 5th
4:00 pm
-
4:25 pm
Stage 2
Next Level Tech

TBC

4:25 pm

Why sports are trailblazing in their approach to creator partnerships

Day 1 - March 5th
4:25 pm
-
5:00 pm
Stage 1
Creators Lounge

Our panel of experts at the intersection of influencer marketing and sports, including marketers from the New York Knicks and Doordash, discuss the power of sports partnerships, how athletes are moving from performers to creators and how your brand can tap in.

4:25 pm

Next Level Tech Session 3

Day 1 - March 5th
4:25 pm
-
5:00 pm
Stage 2
Next Level Tech

TBC

5:00 pm

Cocktail Hour

Day 1 - March 5th
5:00 pm
-
7:00 pm
Networking Area
Networking

The day is not over yet! Join us for a drink or two to unwind and reflect on the opening day at YMS.

8:30 am

Breakfast and Speed Networking

Day 2 - March 6th
8:30 am
-
10:00 am
Networking Area
Networking

Are you ready to work the room? Kick off day 2 with your morning coffee, meeting fellow attendees in a curated experience.

10:00 am

Masterclass TBC

Day 2 - March 6th
10:00 am
-
11:00 am
Stage 2
Masterclass

TBC

10:00 am

Welcome to YMS Day 2

Day 2 - March 6th
10:00 am
-
10:05 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

TBC

10:05 am

Trends & Culture Chat Session 1

Day 2 - March 6th
10:05 am
-
10:30 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

TBC

10:30 am

Breaking through the noise: winning hearts, minds and wallets at a “multi-stage Gen Z paradise”

Day 2 - March 6th
10:30 am
-
11:00 am
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Live music is where young people celebrate and express themselves, inspiring more and more brands to invest in the category. Join us for a panel hosted by Elsewhere to learn how three different brands are winning hearts, minds and wallets by elevating the independent music experience for young creatives in the greatest city on Earth.

11:00 am

Morning Coffee & Networking Break

Day 2 - March 6th
11:00 am
-
11:30 am
Networking Area
Networking

Grab a coffee and chat to fellow delegates and meet the industry in our exhibiton hall.

11:30 am

Masterclass TBC

Day 2 - March 6th
11:30 am
-
12:30 pm
Stage 2
Masterclass

TBC

11:35 am

Trends & Culture Chat Session 3

Day 2 - March 6th
11:35 am
-
12:00 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

TBC

12:00 pm

Playboy 2.0 - Modernizing an Iconic Brand for New Audiences

Day 2 - March 6th
12:00 pm
-
12:25 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Shayna Macklin, Director, Brand Strategy, Social Commerce + Social Media at Playboy joins us to share the story behind the revolution happening at one of the world’s most iconic heritage brands. Hear how the team is embracing a change in marketing strategy to showcase the impact of creator programs, original content series and the strategic partnerships that are turning this brand around.

12:25 pm

The Story of Growing the MLS Amongst a Global Youth Fanbase

Day 2 - March 6th
12:25 pm
-
1:00 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

Join Rising Ballers and the MLS for a fireside chat into engaging the next generation of sports fans. By embracing a young, digital-native audience, discover how the league is creating a winning formula for both fans and brands alike.

1:00 pm

Lunch: YMS Food Festival

Day 2 - March 6th
1:00 pm
-
2:00 pm
Networking Area
Networking

It's time for lunch!

2:00 pm

Welcome to Social Media Conversations

Day 2 - March 6th
2:00 pm
-
2:05 pm
Stage 1
Social Media Conversations

Keep up with the ever-evolving pace of the social media landscape for youth audiences. Here, you’ll discover new ways to build, measure and grow communities on the platforms young people love.

2:00 pm

Welcome to Innovation on Campus

Day 2 - March 6th
2:00 pm
-
2:05 pm
Stage 2
Innovation on Campus

Delve into your college marketing strategy and how to keep it fresh. We’ll show you who’s disrupting the landscape right now, and give you the lowdown on what students really want from on-campus advertising.

2:05 pm

Urban Outfitters Case Study

Day 2 - March 6th
2:05 pm
-
2:30 pm
Stage 1
Social Media Conversations

More info coming soon!

2:05 pm

Innovation on Campus Session 1

Day 2 - March 6th
2:05 pm
-
2:30 pm
Stage 2
Innovation on Campus

TBC

2:30 pm

Innovation on Campus Session 2

Day 2 - March 6th
2:30 pm
-
2:55 pm
Stage 2
Innovation on Campus

TBC

2:30 pm

Social Media Conversations Session 2

Day 2 - March 6th
2:30 pm
-
2:55 pm
Stage 1
Social Media Conversations

TBC

2:55 pm

Social Strategy Unwrapped: Balancing Brand and Impact

Day 2 - March 6th
2:55 pm
-
3:30 pm
Stage 1
Social Media Conversations

Meet the social media managers from Oatly and Sesame Workshop, who will delve into what it’s really like to be a unique voice on social media and how they navigate tone of voice, audience engagement, superfans, real-time interactions, and social listening to write content that elevates both their brand and mission.

2:55 pm

The tech explosion on campus: how brands need to respond

Day 2 - March 6th
2:55 pm
-
3:30 pm
Stage 2
Innovation on Campus

Join our panel of experts to discover how new technology is reaching and engaging college students and how it can revolutionize your brand’s visibility on campus. From food delivery robot advertising to out of home innovations, explore how to amplify your college marketing strategy and which strategies are winning.

3:35 pm

Gen Zalpha: Ask Us Anything

Day 2 - March 6th
3:35 pm
-
4:15 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

A not to be missed interactive session with a panel of candid young individuals from Gen Zalpha. This live session offers a unique opportunity to seek the unfiltered opinions of young people on a wide range of topics. Grab your chance to connect with the voices of the next generation. The floor is yours!

4:15 pm

Closing Remarks

Day 2 - March 6th
4:15 pm
-
4:20 pm
Stage 1
Trends & Culture Chat

We wrap up YMS for another year.

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