How the Forum unfolds

Hosted by our headline partner, Rokt, this welcome lunch brings our jury members together to meet fellow attendees, reconnect with peers, and start the conversation over lunch in the hotel’s beautiful outdoor venue on the 5th floor – The Shrubbery.

The jury will come together to review the pre-judged work and to determine the awards winners across each category. Judging will be presided over by Jury President Roger Dunn, Global Retail Media Lead & Retail Media Consultant at Diageo, and Jury Vice President Marissa Godlewski, Director, Digital Commerce Center of Excellence at Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The Drum team will open the session with a briefing to outline expectations and guide the process.

Bringing together all award-winning work, the jury will reconvene to assess the very best of the best and determine the ultimate honor, the Grand Prix. In a spirited debate, members will champion the entries they believe truly stand apart, examining their impact, innovation and excellence. Through passionate discussion and careful consideration, the panel will arrive at a final decision that recognizes the most exceptional piece of work.

Start your Monday with a moment of calm, we invite you to unwind with a 45-minute sound bath. Perfect for first-timers and seasoned wellness lovers alike, this immersive experience surrounds you with soothing sound waves and gentle vibrations, designed to help you relax, reset, and recharge. Think of it as a deeply restful yoga session, without the movement, where you simply lie back and let the sounds wash over you. Led by the founder of the South Beach Sound Healing Orchestra, the session provides yoga mats and welcomes you in comfortable clothing. Afterwards, you may even have time for a refreshing dip in the pool before the day’s agenda begins. To help us confirm numbers, please pre-book your slot by emailing rhona.young@thedrum.com

Hosted by our Gold Partner Best Buy Ads and Silver Partners SMG, Chicory, Goodway Group and The Trade Desk, attendees will return to the 38th floor for a buffet breakfast. It’s a relaxed opportunity to reconnect with those you met the night before, spark new conversations, and fuel up for a full day of Forum content.

Throughout the day, a series of planned vox pop interviews will take place with selected judges. Participants will be contacted in advance with timings and details, and The Drum team will manage schedules on-site to ensure everyone is in the right place at the right time. Talking points will also be provided ahead of each interview to help guide the conversation.

The morning program will feature our opening keynote, State of the CM Nation, followed by a dynamic mix of panel discussions, a fireside chat and rapid-fire talks. The full agenda and speaker line-up will be updated in the lead-up to the event.

This session of the Forum will feature a series of pre-planned roundtable discussions, designed to encourage open, in-depth conversation. Attendees will be contacted in advance to ensure they’re placed in the discussion best suited to their expertise and interests. More details will follow, but expect a valuable opportunity to explore key challenges, share insights and exchange ideas with each other.

The afternoon program will bring energy and interaction to the Forum, featuring debate-style game shows, lively panel discussions and engaging fireside chats, designed to spark fresh thinking and dynamic industry conversation.

Closing remarks will bring together the key themes and insights from across the Forum. We’ll reflect on the conversations that shaped the day, outline how the discussion will continue through The Drum’s coverage, and look ahead to the evolution of next year’s Commerce Media Forum agenda. We thank our judges, our partners, our speakers and every attendee for their valuable participation and contribution to making the Forum such a success.

After changing into your awards-night best, all attendees will gather on the 39th floor for the Commerce Media Honors Ceremony. Following the jury’s judging sessions the day before, shortlisted entrants will be in attendance to discover what and who has won the awards. With Forum attendees, judges and partners all in the room, the evening is a celebration of the very best work in commerce media, complete with a delicious dinner, great wine and the perfect atmosphere to close out two exceptional days.