A Catalyst For Canadian Media
TORONTO
What is DDC Next ?
DDC Next (April 16, 2026) is built for the leaders who live in the work: directors, senior managers, and team leads across publishers, agencies, brands, and ad tech. This is the in-the-weeds day, designed for people who don’t just set direction, they make it real. Expect practical, candid conversations with peers who speak your language, plus a mentorship thread that helps you lead better while you execute.
DDC Next goes deeper on the problems Canada’s market is dealing with right now: how measurement actually holds up, where revenue pressure is coming from, what AI is changing (and what it isn’t), and how teams are adapting across CTV and omnichannel. You’ll swap what’s working, call out what’s not, and leave with usable moves you can take back to your org. It’s still a working event, just tuned for the next generation of leaders: fewer headlines, more traction.
What Makes DDC next Different?
You’ll see the same kind of intentional structure Digital Day Camp is known for, but tuned for a different level of conversation: deeper, more specific, and built for people who can pressure-test the details because they’re responsible for execution. Expect sessions that don’t stay in theory for long. The point is to get into what’s actually happening in Canada, compare notes with peers, and leave with sharper clarity on what to do next.
DDC Next will also bring a mentorship layer into the room without turning it into a “career day.” It’s mentorship through real operator stories: how leaders are making decisions, how they’re handling tradeoffs, and what’s working in practice across publishers, agencies, brands, and ad tech. If Day 1 sets direction, Day 2 helps you turn that direction into traction, with conversations that assume you’re already in the arena.
"Topics and content covered in-depth...engaging content, truly unique Q&A throughout… opportunity to dive deep, inclusive environment designed to learn. Well worth the time and investment for leaders looking to grow their business."
What to Expect at DDC Next
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A room built for directors, senior managers, and team leads across publishers, agencies, brands, and ad tech
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In-the-weeds working sessions focused on what’s actually happening in Canada (not generic industry theory)
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Operator-led breakouts designed for real dialogue, shared playbooks, and practical problem-solving
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Built with mentorship baked in, with peer-to-peer learning, operator stories, and practical leadership takeaways you can use back with your team
DDC Next Speakers
Kabil Rahaman
Head of
Commercial Data
Globe&Mail
Sarah Thompson
Executive Managing Director
Glassroom
Matt McGowan
SVP, Business Solutions
Bell Media
Modestos Gikizas
Interim Head Marketing
AIR MILES
Reward Program
Peter Venus
Head of Media Effectiveness
dentsu
Kristine Sherliker
Vice President - Client Leadership
Wavemaker
Shawn Pinnock
Director of Marketing
iDREAM
Ashkan Karbasfrooshan
Founder & CEO
WatchMojo
Chuck Lapointe
Co-Founder & CEO
Narcity Media Group
Louise Clements
President and CEO
The Hive, Swarm-ai
Cameron Williamson
Vice President Client Solutions
SJC Media
Brandon Gonez
Chief Executive Officer
Gonez Media
Leslie Yip
VP, Business Solutions
Sing Tao
Media Group Canada
Ryan Jordan
VP, Retail Media Sales - North America
Publicis Groupe
Lakshmi Radhakrishnan
Director of Performance Marketing
Involved Media
Sam Bevacqua
General Manager
La Presse
Heather Gordon
Managing Director, Canada
Acast
Adam Ritchie
VP Product & Innovation, Canadian Broadcast Sales
AudioVelocity
David Salmon
EVP & Managing Director, International
Tubi
Jérôme Leys
General Manager
Quebecor Media
Kimberley O'Keefe
Director
(Head of Agency)
Loblaw Advance
Lisa Horbunova
Content Creator & Marketing Specialist
Independent
Brian Coones
CEO and Founder
REWIRE
Daniel Pacitto
Digital Marketing & eCommerce Lead
Church & Dwight
Kristi Lee
Creator and Narrator
Canadian True Crime
Dr. Stephanie Gutnik
President
Tuxedo Concepts
Ryan Matier
Senior Manager, Sports & Olympic Media Sponsorships
CBC/Radio Canada
Olivier J. Bergeron
CEO
Click & Mortar
Catherine Laporte
Chief Marketing
and Digital Officer
Rona
Alan Cross
Broadcaster
& Music Geek
A Journal
of Musical Things
Dwayne Morgan
OOnt Board Member
iDREAM
Ian Andre Espinet
Cultural Executive / Advisor
iDREAM
Sydney Kirkland
SVP Media Planning
Spark Foundry
Idan Driman
Vice President Marketing
Pet Valu
Karine Courtemanche
EVP
Plus Company Canada
&
President
Media Group
Shannon Lewis
President
CMDC
Ryan Matier
Senior Manager, Sports & Olympic Media Sponsorships
CBC/Radio Canada
Monika Platek
Senior Producer, Content and Publishing, Digital and Social
CBC Sports/Olympics
Brittany MacLean Campbell
Associate Producer, Athlete and National Sport Organization Relations
CBC Sports (Bronze Medal in RIO2016)
Marissa Papaconstantinou
Bronze Medal Paralympian
(Tokyo 2020, para athletics)
April 2026 Sponsors
April 2026 Partners
Who Needs Another Water Bottle...
This Spring alone, we raised $15,600.00 for NABS, the National Advertising Benevolent Society. This registered Canadian charity provides financial aid, career coaching, and wellness support for professionals in media, marketing, and communications—100% funded by the generosity of our industry. We are proud to support NABS and our industry.
“Digital Day Camp has created one of the most successful third-party fundraisers for NABS over the past three years. The idea is simple: in the name of sustainability, ask sponsors to switch out swag bags for a donation to the charity. The result? Hundreds of industry colleagues have been able to access emergency Financial, Career and Wellness resources when they’ve needed them most. We want to say a huge THANK YOU to the team at Digital Day Camp for proving that industry events can be meaningful both in content AND in community impact."
-Libby Begg,
Director, Communications
NABS/BEC
The Well
We’re once again taking over The Well, Toronto’s premier venue for creative collaboration, with three dedicated floors designed to foster connection. From focused breakout rooms to lounge areas built for spontaneous conversation, every space is intentional. This event is about bringing the right people together in the right environments to drive real outcomes.
Whether you're a publisher navigating monetization in a cookieless world, a brand working to engage new audiences, or an ad tech leader helping to stitch the ecosystem together, Digital Day Camp is where you belong.
There are a number of hotels within walking distance of the Well. Use this link to see the local hotels and walking distance.
REACH OUT!
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for this event.
Contact daviduk@digitaldaycamp.com for details.