Indies Rising: IAN Leadership Summit 2026, Presented by Arima
April 15 @ 9:00 am – 7:00 pm PDT
Indies Rising: Building an Unfair Advantage for Marketers | Presented by Arima
After two-plus years of building a next-generation platform for indies, we’re bringing leaders together in Chicago for a full day focused on what matters: strategy, great work, and the people driving this industry forward.
This isn’t another marketing conference. This is Indies Rising — independent agencies claiming their seat at the table, sharing what’s working, and building an incredibly positive force for indies, clients, and marketers.
Open to everyone. IAN members get 25% off.
Lunch Keynote: Your Unfair Advantage
Why Brands Pick Agencies That Don’t Do Everything
Anthony Reeves · Author of Eat the Donkey · Amazon · Airbnb · LVMH · Verizon · Kohler
“Best practices produce the same results for everyone.” Anthony Reeves has spent 25 years inside the companies where agencies compete for the work. The ones who win are never the ones who do the most — they’re the ones who go deepest. At the Summit, he’s bringing The Foundation Theory from his book Eat the Donkey and applying it directly to indie agencies.
What you’ll walk away with:
- How to identify what makes your agency distinctive — and why “full-service” is eroding it
- What brand-side leaders actually look for when choosing between your shop and the holding company
- Why the agencies that go deeper win more work than the ones that go wider
- A practical framework for building positioning that compounds — so growth reinforces who you are instead of diluting it
- How to protect your identity when AI, scale, and market pressure are all pushing toward sameness
This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a framework you’ll bring back to your team on Monday.
The Day at a Glance
9:00 AM — Registration & Breakfast Start your day with coffee, breakfast, and networking with fellow indie agency leaders and marketers.
9:45 AM — Welcome & Opening Remarks Featuring a welcome from our title sponsor, Arima.
10:00 AM — Session 1: Articulating the Indie Advantage How to Win When Holding Companies Are Still Winning Too
Let’s be honest: plenty of indies are losing pitches to holdcos right now. This session is about understanding how indies win head-to-head. Hear real pitch stories (wins AND losses), learn how to articulate your advantages without sounding generic, and understand the competitive reality.
11:00 AM — Break (Sponsored by Blood Sweat + Tears)
11:30 AM — Session 2: Myth Busters: What CMOs Actually Experience Testing the Claims Indie Agencies Make Against Real Client Experiences
Indie agencies make bold claims: “No corporate politics.” “The team you meet is the team you get.” “We tell you when something’s not working — even if it’s our idea.” But are these myths or reality? CMOs and brand leaders who’ve worked with both holding companies and indies react to common indie talking points.
12:30 PM — Lunch + Keynote: Your Unfair Advantage Anthony Reeves · Author of Eat the Donkey
1:30 PM — Session 3: What Marketers Really Want from Agency Partners Building Relationships That Last (From Both Sides of the Table)
Stop guessing what clients want. Hear directly from CMOs and brand leaders who work with agencies every day. This session explores the entire relationship lifecycle: from pitch to partnership to long-term growth.
2:30 PM — Break
3:00 PM — Session 4: Where Brands & Agencies Are Placing Their Bets (Presented by Pathlabs)
Emerging Trends, New Channels & What’s Actually Worth Your Investment Cut through the hype. Marketers and agency leaders share where they’re investing time, money, and resources in 2026 and beyond — and what they’re pulling back on.
4:30 PM — Session 5: Protecting Your Work IP Protection, Legal Frameworks & Navigating the Celeb/Influencer Space
You create the work. You develop the ideas. But do you own any of it? Learn how to protect your creative work and navigate celebrity/influencer partnerships with legal experts who help agencies avoid landmines every day.
5:30 PM — Show Off Happy Hour (Presented by Goodway Group) Celebrating the Work of Independent Agencies
The day ends with great work, great drinks, and great conversation. 12 indie agencies showcase their best work — 5 minutes each, no pitch, just pure creative celebration.
7:00 PM — Closing Remarks
Pricing
- Standard Rate: $599
- IAN Members get 25% off: $449.25 (email su****@*********cy.news for your discount code)
- Not a member? Join now and save 25%.
- All deposits are non-refundable.
Questions? Email su****@*********cy.news
Two Days. Complete Mastery.
Day 1 (April 15) — IAN Leadership Summit: Creative vision, strategic leadership, and client relationships shaping indie agencies’ future.
Day 2 (April 16) — Own It: Operational mastery, financial frameworks, and legal foundations making ownership successful. Get your tickets here.
We strongly recommend attending both days.
