Marketing software company Motion announced a one-day virtual summit focused on performance marketing strategies for creative teams seeking to understand industry movements. The Creative Strategy Summit takes place October 9, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, featuring speakers from Jones Road Beauty, Ridge, HexClad, and other direct-to-consumer brands.

The summit will bring together creative strategists, growth marketers, and media buyers to discuss expectations in performance marketing. Cody Plofker, CMO of Jones Road Beauty, will join Connor Rolain of HexClad, Connor MacDonald of Ridge, and Motion CEO Reza Khadjavi for the opening session on team structures and AI-driven workflows.

“Creative strategy has become the cornerstone of paid advertising – and the expectations have never been higher,” the agenda states, highlighting the expanded responsibilities facing today’s strategic teams.

Dara Denney, Chief Evangelist at Motion, will present a session on the modern creative strategist’s role, which now encompasses trend analysis, project management, and strategic leadership. Her presentation will draw from experience across multiple brands to outline what separates successful strategists from “those stuck in the content hamster wheel.”

AI Integration in Creative Production

The summit will directly address the industry divide between AI maximalism and minimalism in creative production. A dedicated session will feature Savannah Sanchez, founder of The Social Savannah, and Jacob Russo, AI Creative Director, presenting contrasting approaches to AI integration in advertising.

“Creative teams are splitting into two camps. Some embrace AI-driven engines that churn out hundreds of variations at speed. Others use AI sparingly, preserving an organic approach rooted in storytelling and craft,” the program notes, promising insights into the “hidden costs and benefits of each approach.”

Platforms and Organic Content Strategies

A panel on TikTok will examine how trends emerge from creator content rather than ad libraries. This session examines how organic voices generate millions of views and influence platform dynamics, with insights into social media trends for 2026.

“Trends don’t start in ad libraries – they start at the source: creators,” the agenda explains, emphasizing the importance of understanding native content formats.

Future-Focused Strategy Development

The summit will conclude with forward-looking sessions, including a panel featuring Mirella Crespi of Creative Milkshake, Lee Joselowitz of The Quality Edit, and Sarah Levinger of Tether Insights. This discussion examines signals that experienced operators monitor when developing strategies for 2026.

“What will separate winning strategies from the rest in 2026? Is it sheer volume, creative diversity, or a smarter balance of both?” the agenda asks, promising attendees “a distilled set of priorities, a framework to cut through uncertainty.”

Access and Additional Resources

Motion offers free registration for the summit, which includes access to live Q&A sessions. The event will conclude with an after-party hosted by Evan Lee, Motion’s Head of Partnerships, who will compile tools and workflows presented throughout the day.

The summit positions itself as a “reset button” for marketers dealing with platform changes, tariff pressures, and AI integration challenges, focusing on practical applications rather than theoretical discussions.

TL;DR:

• When: Thursday, October 9, 2025, 12 PM – 5 PM ET
• Where: Virtual
• Cost: Free
• Registration Link

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