Other speakers included:

• A CMO panel, moderated by Gravia CEO, Vivienne Ryan. The panel brought together three accomplished marketers to engage in an open conversation on the challenges and opportunities that modern marketing departments encounter. Topics included how independent agencies can assist in streamlining marketers’ responsibilities, effective strategies for marketers dealing with tight budgets, insights into anticipated marketing trends for 2024, and the secrets to fostering enduring, mutually beneficial relationships between agencies, marketers and business owners. 
• Industry leaders from Commercial Radio & Audio, Boomtown, IAB, Outdoor Media Association, ThinkTV and ThinkNewsBrands, along with media partner, Val Morgan, discussed the major changes and developments in their sectors and what agencies need to know in 2024. 
• Tom Pitney: the founder of youth media site Punkee and former strategy director at NewsCorp, Pitney founded AI agency AirStack last year. He discussed how to navigate AI, with a focus on empowering brands, marketing leaders and agencies to harness emerging technology to work smarter, grow faster and accomplish more with less. 
• Julia Vargiu: is the Director of Australia at SI Partners, a global consultancy and M&A firm advising agencies, consultancies and tech service providers at the forefront of the digital economy on how to build and achieve maximum value for shareholders. She provides growth consultancy and M&A advice to clients in Australia, APAC and the USA.  
• James Zipeure: A leader in commercial sustainability and AI transition, James’s influence extends across APAC, Australia, and the UK. As former COO of Havas and the founder of Exact AI, he has revolutionised workplace productivity by harnessing AI and automation. His dedication also extends well beyond the realm of business innovation. He passionately champions mental health reform in the media industry, effectively combining cutting-edge technology with a strong commitment to social responsibility. 
• David Fish: a globally recognised strategist, business leader and record-breaking pilot. Fish is a renowned chief strategy officer, collaborating with some of the world’s largest advertisers, global agency networks, and media sales houses. He is also a British and Australian aviation champion and commercial pilot.

IMAA CEO Sam Buchanan said this year’s member conference hit all the high notes and offered opportunities for members to network but also take home critical insights from key speakers on the day.

“We felt a great sense of pride at how many indies were in the room at our new-look members’ conference yesterday and at the calibre of speakers we had throughout the morning. The speakers were incredible, and the combination of that with our power sessions really left an energised feeling in the room,” he said.

“Indies had a bumper year in 2023 and we expect that success to continue. Having the opportunity to deliver such a stellar line up of speakers and see our members interacting in such a dynamic environment fills me with confidence for what we will see delivered this year.”

The good times continued well into the evening at the after-party, presented by QMS, at local bar Longsong where members were treated to drinks, canapés as well as a Q&A with Olympian, World Aquatics Champion, and Commonwealth Game Gold Medallist Cassiel Rousseau, who participated in a Q&A with QMS General Manager Independent & Direct Sales, David Pullinger

On the night, agency members had the opportunity to win a $50,000 QMS Out of Home campaign.

QMS General Manager Independent & Direct Sales, David Pullinger, said: “We were thrilled to partner with the IMAA on The Greatest Media Show after party this year. There was such an infectious energy at Longsong and it was great to see so many independent agencies in the room sharing ideas, networking and celebrating the sector.” 

Ends