Megan Gilbert
VP at Fortune Brand Studio
See You Again in 2027
Aaaand it's a wrap!
3 days I +40 speakers | 1 award celebration | +300 participants
The golden standard for branded content
For a decade, we’ve hosted the best of the best at our Branded Content Days: the inspirational minds, creative practitioners and bold leaders who are defining the global landscape of branded content.
In 2026, we’re returning to the bright lights of New York City for another unmissable event.
We’ll be gathering with 300 leaders, innovators and pioneer brands for two unmissable days filled to the brim with presentations, panels, and prestigious speakers.
It’s a time to focus entirely on branded content: the constantly evolving landscape, the frustrating challenges, the exciting opportunities - and the unique people behind it all.
We make this event a true one-of-a-kind experience, doubling down on providing a place for every corner of branded content, and there's always a lot of laughter alongside the learning.
If you’re only coming to one industry event in 2026, we’re pretty sure you should make it this one.
98% of last year's attendees would recommend Branded Content Days to their peers
It's one of the few places where we can go and be around other publisher-side branded content studios who speak our language - absolutely loved it
Alli GuerraDirector of Content Business Insider
Featured Speakers
A teaser of our impressive lineup - with more speakers to be announced
Joél Leon
Creative Director at The New York Times
Becky Vinter
Executive Director of Content at Business Insider
Steve Pearson
VP of GET Creative at USA TODAY (US)
Robin Bennefield
Founder & Principal Strategist at Robins Have Wings Strategic Storytelling
Josh Robinson
SVP at Forbes
Kristen Berke
VP, Entertainment & Branded Content Partnerships at LA Times Studios
Farra Kober
VP Brand Content Studio, BBC StoryWorks at BBC Studios
Still not convinced?
This isn't just another marketing conference; it's the only premiere NY gathering exclusively focused on branded content.
It’s not just one talk or seminar slot, it’s an entire conference dedicated to the ins and outs of everything related to it. From inspiration to actionable insights, our speakers come from extremely well-renowned studios and companies, and provide an unrivalled level of knowledge .
There's fascinating learning to be had, but there's also a unique chance to see what the future of branded content will look like, and be a part of a truly wonderful community within the industry.
We promise you won't regret joining us.
Our past attendees have been pretty cool
This event is very eye opening and a great learning opportunity for a topic that many times feels obscure and difficult to navigate! I learned things that I took back to my team and we will be implementing some new ideas.
Mariana SchussProject Manager, Customer Success at TIME
“As an independent consultant it really means a lot to me to attend an event like this”
Kate Pfetsch
VP, Strategy & Partnerships, Blink49 Studios, US
“We joked today that it is kind of like group therapy. I think it’s so important to take time out and do this”
Jerusha Raath
Head of Studio24, Media24, South Africa
“It’s great to be with so many like minded colleagues just to share some of our hopes, fears and some of our pains”
Richard Pattinson
Head and SVP of Global Editorial Partnerships, BBC Studios, UK
Three Days of Branded Content
What to expect from the event
Day 1 · April 15
Executive Summit
Forbes on 5th
Invite-only event for NAI+ members and curated executive leadership, providing unique opportunities to engage directly with industry thought-leaders and explore key challenges.
Day 2 · April 16 (Daytime)
Conference & Branded Content Awards
People Inc Event Center
Eight hours of keynotes, tracks, and roundtable discussions with Fortune 500 brands, leading publishers, and technology innovators. It's the only event of its type in the US; with a sole focus on branded content excellence.
Day 2 · April 16 (Evening)
Branded Content Awards
People Inc Event Center
The world’s largest awards dedicated to branded content, highlighting best-in-class work from North America across strategy, organisation, format, channel, and technology. Finalists will advance to the global finals in London.
Day 3 · April 17
Masterclasses
People Inc Event Center
Half-day, hands-on masterclasses with industry trailblazers, which are designed to deliver practical, actionable insights you can apply to your own branded content initiatives.
Don't miss out
Masterclass April 17
Creativity Is a Skill: How to Make It Your Studio's Superpower
With Andy Sitta, Founder @ elev/\te by /\ndy - April 17 @ 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Creativity isn't a gift. It's a muscle.
And like any muscle, it can be trained, strengthened, and put to work on demand.
That's not a motivational soundbite. It's the operating principle behind one of the world's most awarded branded content studios. Andy built Seznam Brand Studio from scratch into a global creative force, and the engine behind it all was a bold creative philosophy: the sky is the limit. Even when budgets are also the limit.
In this 3.5-hour masterclass, Andy opens up the playbook. You'll learn why creativity remains the single biggest driver of advertising effectiveness (after brand size, which none of us can do much about), and you'll get hands-on tools to unlock better creative thinking across your team, even from the people who insist they're "not the creative type".
*This masterclass is part of the 'Full Experience Conference Pass'
Wait - there's also an awards celebration?
That’s right!
We'll announce AND celebrate the winners of the Branded Content Awards 2026 US edition. Once the official conference programme is done, we'll transform into an ‘Oscar-style’ event reception, with applause, celebration, and emotional speeches guaranteed (well, maybe).
If you submit an entry before our February 18 deadline, your campaign could join the ranks of the most celebrated work in branded content and be promoted in front of an impressive industry audience.
Think your work stands among the industry's best? Prove it by submitting your entries now for a chance to be recognised at branded contents's most exclusive celebration. It's a big deal and we're excited to celebrate our winners!
The Native Advertising Institute serves an invaluable role in the global community of branded content professionals. Events, awards, resources, connections – they do it all. And so winning a Branded Content Award is profoundly meaningful. It celebrates excellence in our industry which is a shining validation for publisher teams, agencies and clients.
Josh RobinsonSVP / Head of Forbes Branded Content & Design Studio
Sponsors
The Branded Content Days 2026 conference would not be the same without our wonderful sponsors. Thank you for all you do!
Gold
Bronze
Panel Sponsor
Event & Services Sponsor
Interested in becoming a sponsor? That's music to our ears - reach out to learn more.