The data available to marketers -- literally at their fingertips by way of a few mouse clicks -- has exploded over the last decade. Yet, while there is more data -- and it is more accessible -- than it has ever been, the way we think about and use data has hardly evolved at all. With the recent advances in cloud computing and processing power, the industry is abuzz with talk of machine learning and artificial intelligence. How, then, will we get from the world of Microsoft Excel (or Tableau) to a world where "the machines" are automatically and dynamically optimizing all aspects of our marketing?

If you work with a media agency (or are one) the first question to ask them is how many data scientists do you have? Do you prefer Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or the Google Cloud Platform? Come see examples from one of Canada's largest retailers of advertising spending that is wasted from poor targeting, access issues, and lack of big data understanding. We will also dive into examples of broken implementations of Analytics that cause even more issues. If you are not in-sourcing the core components of your Media and Analytics you are almost certainly at risk or already suffering from many of these problems. In this session, Martin and Charles Farina will show you what you need to find the right partner, but more importantly what you also have to provide.