Session: Beyond Metrics: How Communications intelligence is driving business impact at PwC
Brittnee Long is the Digital Communications and Corporate Affairs Leader at PwC. A PRWeek Dashboard 25 honoree and an award-winning communications leader, Brittnee has been recognized for her work in using data and technology to transform communications measurement and strategy. She architected PwC’s first-ever Performance Communications team and built the team's first ever Commtech strategy, pioneering the use of intelligence-driven insights to enhance communications strategy and counsel. Under her leadership, the team is modernizing communications strategy with emerging technology like Gen AI, evolving digital channels, and delivering decision-centered insight, enabling communicators to drive meaningful business outcomes.

Mediality CEO Bruce Davidson is a journalist and entrepreneur with more than 40 years media experience. He oversees several businesses in the Mediality stable, including leading media intelligence business Medianet, which provides media monitoring, insights and analysis, press release distribution and media contacts in Australia and New Zealand. Bruce worked as a journalist in regional, community and national newspapers, including   senior editorial positions at metropolitan title the Sun News-Pictorial in Melbourne. In 1991 Bruce formed Pagemasters, a page-ready solutions provider, and built the business to a vital supplier to all major print titles in Australia. In 2002, Pagemasters was acquired by the national news agency AAP and Bruce stayed on as Managing Director until his appointment as AAP CEO in 2010, which he held for 10 years. After the sale of the AAP Newswire in 2020, Bruce was appointed CEO of Mediality, which continues the Pagemasters operations, Medianet and horse racing data supplier Mediality Racing.

Session: The new communication KPIs enabled by the hybridization of data and generative AI
Caroline Faillet has been a pioneer in social listening in France for 20 years and, more broadly, in the collection of digital data (search, analytics, media, and social media) to understand public opinions and behaviors. She teaches impact measurement strategy at HEC, France's top business school, and has published several books (in French) on the subject. Today, she is introducing a new methodology for measuring the impact of communication, called Impact Factor, which leverages artificial intelligence to define new types of KPIs. Her advancements seem highly valuable to share.

Session: Broadcast redefined: how organisations are using audio visual communications to reach and engage with audiences effectively
Claire is a senior strategist, marketing and crisis communications expert and AMEC board member who delivers results. She is an experienced senior leader with professional expertise in strategy, crisis and reputation management, communications, marketing, media relations, public affairs, campaigning and stakeholder engagement. Claire has a proven track record of advising senior stakeholders and delivering results under pressure through 25 years working in national and local government and in the charitable sector.

Session: AI and reputation: What you need to know about earned and owned media, and its impact on what Large Language Models (LLMs) are saying about your brand
My most important job is that I'm father to my two beautiful children, Hudson and Halia. My less important, but equally time-consuming job, is that of Co-Founder of Hard Numbers, the AMEC, CorpComms, PR Moment, PRCA, CIPR and UK Agency of the Year Award winning, performance-driven communications consultancy. Hard Numbers marries killer creative with commercial acumen to create campaigns that drive a demonstrable return on investment. I spent most of my professional life in the media intelligence industry at Precise (now Onclusive). I'm a Fellow of both the PRCA and CIPR, a CIPR Chartered Practitioner and member of AMEC.

Session: RESET for An Opportunity to Change the World
Jim Macnamara is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Technology Sydney, a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Visiting Professor at the London College of Communication, and Chair of the AMEC Academic Advisory Group. His latest book, Public Communication and Public Policy, is his 20th. His other books include Evaluating Public Communication: Exploring New Models, Theories, and Best Practice and two books on organizational listening. Before joining academia, Jim was the founder and CEO of CARMA International (Asia Pacific).

Session: Paths to Purchase: How communications drive sales and revenue
Larry DeGaris is the Executive Director of the Medill Spiegel Research Institute, where he directs applied research projects in marketing communications to improve marketing communications practice. The winner of AMEC's inaugural SAREC scholarship, Larry is an expert in measuring the effectiveness of sponsorship-linked marketing communications.

Session: Protecting People, Information, and Reputation in an Evolving Digital, Political, and Regulatory Environment
Lisa Kaplan founded Alethea in 2019 to help customers navigate the new digital reality and protect against online risks stemming from disinformation, foreign influence operations, and social media manipulation. Under Kaplan’s leadership, the Alethea team has built the market leading solution to detect threats to market capitalization and shareholder value, brand and market reputation, physical safety of executives, and overall business continuity. Kaplan has briefed US, NATO, EU, and G-7 policymakers on these topics and was named by Forbes Technology Council as one of the Cyber Security Founders to watch in 2025.

Session: Tackling the #PRethics of Organizational Gaslighting
Mary Beth West is founder of The #PRethics Community on LinkedIn. She published in 2023 the most wide-ranging analysis of global PR ethics codes in the history of the industry. 

 

Session: Fairy tales and horror stories: applying genAI-based solutions to answer real client research questions
Maya Koleva is a fourth-term AMEC International Board Director and is active in the Education Commission - with strong passion for capacity building, education and knowledge sharing. As Director of Research and Insights at Commetric, she defines the methodologies when it comes to sophisticated measurement programs, integrated communication evaluation and finding the best approach to complex and tricky research questions. She works closely with the technology and data science teams in Commetric, and works directly with strategic clients on analytics and insights needs. Maya holds a PhD from Sofia University’s Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication and MA degree in Public Policy from Central European University.

Mazen Nahawi is the President of News Group, an organization dedicated to strengthening client communications across the Digital and PR Industry. The organization includes several strategic businesses, including CARMA, a global media intelligence leader; SOCIALEYEZ, a digital engagement agency; and Interactive Ltd, a software development company focused on eGovernment services. With over 25 years of experience, Mazen’s leadership provides meaningful results in Media Monitoring, Analytics, Communications, Media Strategy, and Reputation Measurement. As a thought leader on a range of topics at the cross-section of media, technology, and communications, Mazen has been featured extensively in mainstream and trade media, including the likes of New York Times, PR Week, and Campaign Middle East. He has spoken at numerous industry leadership conferences, including MEPRA Leadership Majlis KSA, Zayed University NAC – Use of Technology in Media, IPR Research Symposium in Dubai, European Communication Summit 2018, and The Circle 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. In 2007, Mazen launched the Middle East PR Measurement Summit, an event that brings together the brightest minds in PR and measurement. In September 2024, Mazen was named one of Arabian Business’s “100 Most Inspiring Leaders,” cementing his role as a key influencer in the media and PR industry.

Session: PR Of Tomorrow: From a linear to a cyclical process
Raina Lazarova is the Co-Founder and COO of Ruepoint – a global media intelligence provider, helping PR & Communications professionals demonstrate the value of their work through data-driven media insights, and an outcome-based approach to media measurement and evaluation. With over 15 years of experience in the media intelligence space, Raina has been recognised as a respected professional and though leader, focusing on promoting value-based media measurement in communication and highlighting the importance of humanity, compassion and attention to customer experience in B2B. Raina is a prominent member of the Board of Directors of AMEC and is frequently invited as a speaker at conferences, webinars and masterclasses.

Session: 2025 State of Social Media
Samantha is an industry veteran with 17 years experience building sales and customer success teams for Meltwater across the US, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa for the last 17 years. She now leads account teams for some of Meltwater's most important global relationships. Originally from the UK, Samantha has also spent many years in the US and in Argentina, and considers herself a global citizen. She currently lives in Winchester, UK where she is raising her young family.

Session: Measuring Stakeholder Perceptions: Turning Insights into Action for Increased Trust in a Polarized World
Shahar Silbershatz is the CEO and co-founder of Caliber, a brand reputation analytics firm based in Copenhagen. Shahar founded Caliber to help organizations build trust with their stakeholders through strategic advice, real-time insights, and digital solutions. He earned his MBA from Columbia University and has over 20 years of experience advising brands like Airbus, Audi, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola on marketing, communications, business strategy, and stakeholder relations. Shahar has also been a guest lecturer on corporate branding and reputation at academic institutions including the Danish Institute for Study Abroad, Copenhagen Business School, Quadriga University in Berlin, and Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Coding with Large Language Models: Infrastructure and Evaluation Across Models Stavros Vologiannidis is one of the founders of DataScouting. He has a PhD in Control Theory and his research interests include control, machine learning and systems theory. DataScouting is a software development company committed to providing robust and scalable software solutions to companies and organizations for PR Dashboards, Broadcast, Online and Print media monitoring by using technologies such as text, image and video analytics, speech recognition, LLMs and machine learning.

Session: Audience Compass: Navigating Cross-Channel Influence
Stephanie Cohen Glass is part of the Microsoft Communications Strategy Team, which is focused on reinventing Communications using AI. Stephanie leads the team responsible for global measurement and insights for the Microsoft Communications. As part of her role, Stephanie is responsible for leading communications planning across Microsoft as well as providing analysis and reporting around the impact of the comms outcomes. Stephanie has held a variety of communications roles at Microsoft, including in Corporate Communications, employee and customer comms, and managed investor relations PR. Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked in both corporate communications and as a political campaign spokesperson.

Session: AI’s Media Reset: Broadcast Back in Focus How AI is revolutionizing the way we see and monitor the media.
Dr. Thomas Netousek is the visionary CEO of eMedia Monitor and a passionate innovator at the forefront of speech-to-text technology. Thomas is dedicated to pushing boundaries and enhancing the user experience. As the driving force behind one of the world's leading broadcast monitoring companies, he strives to offer cutting-edge AI-based solutions for clients and partners alike. Thomas' expertise lies in creating technologically advanced media intelligence solutions, making broadcast information more accessible and usable. His relentless pursuit of excellence has made him a pioneer in the industry, where he continues to shape the future of communications technology and to set new standards.

Session: Audience Compass: Navigating Cross-Channel Influence
Proven strategic business leader with over 15 years’ experience building analytics solutions and data-driven programs for global brands. My sweet spot is implementing scalable measurement frameworks to connect objectives with actionable insights that impact business and campaign strategies. Passionate about AI-powered comms solutions and developing models based on audience and influence trends to inform comms storytelling. Believe in an authentic, inclusive, collaborative team culture that provides growth opportunities.

Session: The Design of Data: How Visualization Shapes Reputation, Reliability, and Results
Zori Dimitrova is Head of Media Monitoring at A Data Pro, specializing in client relations and media intelligence services. With nearly a decade of experience in the media intelligence industry, she has deep expertise in daily media monitoring, ensuring clients stay informed with the most relevant and impactful information. Zori bridges clients and service teams, ensuring seamless communication and tailored solutions. Her strategic mindset and hands-on approach drive innovation in media monitoring, delivering maximum value to clients. Passionate about accurate and timely intelligence, she continuously enhances A Data Pro’s offerings to meet evolving client needs.