Bozoma Saint John
Hall of Fame Marketing Executive
Netflix, Pepsi, Apple, Uber
Amit Patel
CEO & President
Rakuten International
The Agenda
Select a Curated Program
By Theme
Connection Room Open
Tuesday, 1:00 PM
The Connection Room is open for meetings booked in advance of the event. When booking through the app you have the ability, based on availability, to select a table for four to hold your meeting.
If you'd like a reserved table or a private meeting room for the entirety of the conference, please view our sponsorship offerings.
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
New Attendee 101: Option 1
Tuesday, 2:00 PM
New to Rakuten Optimism or just looking to kick things off with a bang? This engaging and informative session is designed to set you up for success! Hosted by two seasoned Rakuten pros, we’ll share insider tips on navigating the venue, mastering the schedule, and making the most of your time at the event. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win exciting prizes (like for the attendee who traveled the farthest!) and discover our favorite must-attend sessions. Don’t miss this opportunity to start your Optimism experience on the right foot!
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
New Attendee 101: Option 2
Wednesday, 8:45 AM
New to Rakuten Optimism or just looking to kick things off with a bang? This engaging and informative session is designed to set you up for success! Hosted by two seasoned Rakuten pros, we’ll share insider tips on navigating the venue, mastering the schedule, and making the most of your time at the event. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win exciting prizes (like for the attendee who traveled the farthest!) and discover our favorite must-attend sessions. Don’t miss this opportunity to start your Optimism experience on the right foot!
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Private Meeting Rooms & Pods
Wednesday, 9:00 AM
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Rewarding Experiences
Wednesday, 9:00 AM
Make the most of your Optimism experience and earn points to redeem for prizes
When you scan your bracelet and participate in specific event activities, you'll earn points for a variety of prize levels - to be announced! Collect your prizes at the Rewarding Experiences Pavilion in front of the Costa de Sol Ballroom.
Ahead of the event, more details and leaderboard will be listed in event app.
- Celebration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Connection Room Open
Wednesday, 9:00 AM
The Connection Room is open for meetings booked in advance of the event. When booking through the app you have the ability, based on availability, to select a table for four to hold your meeting.
If you'd like a reserved table or a private meeting room for the entirety of the conference, please view our sponsorship offerings.
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Powering Everyday Brand Engagement through Integrated Offers
Wednesday, 9:30 AM
Hosted by Rakuten Cartera: In today’s competitive loyalty landscape, brands must find innovative ways to engage members on a daily basis. This panel will showcase how leading loyalty programs and partners are integrating online, in-store, and app-based offers to create a cohesive and engaging member experience that influences customers to engage with their brand every single day. Panelists will share real-world examples, success metrics, and actionable strategies for driving incremental engagement and revenue.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
From Outdated to Cutting-Edge: The New Rules of Measurement
Wednesday, 11:30 AM
As consumer behavior evolves and media channels multiply, outdated measurement models no longer deliver the insights brands need. This session unpacks the future of analytics, from cookieless tracking and cross-channel attribution to AI-powered insights and first-party data strategies. Discover how leading brands are using predictive modeling and alternative identifiers to sharpen measurement, maximize performance, and stay ahead of rapid industry shifts. Hear from your marketing expert peers on the emerging technologies and transparency standards that will shape the next era of data-driven marketing.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Social Commerce 2.0: Leveraging Creators and Emerging Trends to Drive Purchase Behavior
Wednesday, 1:30 PM
Social media is no longer just a space for content. It’s a driving force behind modern commerce, with creators and short-form video shaping how consumers discover and buy products. This session uncovers how brands can harness the influence of the creator economy, decode Gen Z and Gen Alpha shopping behaviors, and turn platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels into high-impact sales channels. Learn how to craft compelling social commerce strategies, build authentic influencer partnerships, and track key performance metrics to maximize ROI in an ever-evolving digital marketplace.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Golden Link Awards
Wednesday, 5:00 PM
The Golden Link Awards will take place in the evening on May 28, 2025. The ceremony is aimed at celebrating and recognizing industry-leading advertisers, publishers and agencies. Nominations will open in February.
- Celebration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Personalization, Loyalty, and The Modern Customer Experience: The Digital Marketing Trifecta
Thursday, 9:00 AM
AI is transforming personalization, giving brands powerful new ways to engage consumers. But how much is too much? This session explores how new technologies and strategies can enhance customer journeys, refine targeting, and balance real-time context with past behaviors while avoiding over-personalization that limits discovery. Leverage this session to explore how leading brands are using AI and other new tactics to deliver dynamic, relevant experiences at scale while setting new standards for data-sharing, transparency, and consumer trust in a rapidly evolving digital world.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Private Meeting Rooms & Pods
Thursday, 9:00 AM
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Rewarding Experiences
Thursday, 9:00 AM
Make the most of your Optimism experience and earn points to redeem for prizes
When you scan your bracelet and participate in specific event activities, you'll earn points for a variety of prize levels - to be announced! Collect your prizes at the Rewarding Experiences Pavilion in front of the Costa de Sol Ballroom.
Ahead of the event, more details and leaderboard will be listed in event app.
- Celebration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Connection Room Open
Thursday, 9:00 AM
The Connection Room is open for meetings booked in advance of the event. When booking through the app you have the ability, based on availability, to select a table for four to hold your meeting.
If you'd like a reserved table or a private meeting room for the entirety of the conference, please view our sponsorship offerings.
- Connection
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
A Conversation with Bozoma “Boz” Saint John
Thursday, 10:45 AM
A trailblazing and genuine change-agent, “Boz” is a Hall of Fame inducted Marketing Executive. Her remarkable success at Netflix, Pepsi, Apple, Uber, and the Endeavor brands proves her to be one of the most effective marketers of any generation.
With almost 20 years of experience that spans multiple industries, including digital music and entertainment, consumer packaged goods, fashion, sports, and automotive, Bozoma is a leader heralded for her bold thinking and cutting-edge ideas. She was named Forbes' #1 Most Influential CMO in 2021.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
AI in Action: Transforming Digital Marketing Tactics
Thursday, 1:00 PM
AI is reshaping digital marketing strategies, enabling brands with advanced tools to enhance consumer engagement, optimize campaigns, and drive measurable growth. This session explores how industry leaders are integrating AI to refine search strategies, automate performance marketing, and deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. Gain actionable insights on leveraging AI to strengthen predictive analytics, maximize ROI, and navigate the complexities of brand safety, compliance, and ethical integrity.
- Inspiration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
Closing Party
Thursday, 7:00 PM
The Optimism Closing Party will bring everyone together for a festive farewell. Stay tuned for details!
- Celebration
- For Advertisers
- For Agencies
- For Publishers
