Tuesday, October 7 - Pre-Summit
10:00 am -
4:00 pm
Board Meeting
WPI Board of Directors only. Lunch provided.
10:00 am -
4:00 pm
Next Gen Council Meeting
WPI Next Gen Council members only. Lunch provided.
6:45 -
9:30 pm
Basis Oasis Opening Reception
Cé La Vi Skydeck
Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya, Dogenzaka, 1 Chome−2−3 東急プラザ渋谷17階 ＆18階 (map it)
Join us at the Basis Oasis for breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo from this modern and sophisticated restaurant and skydeck.
Please make your way to Cé La Vi. Uber vouchers will be provided.
Wednesday, October 8 - Day 1
Our general sessions will take place at the Kimpton Shinjuku hotel - 3 Chome-4-7 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan. (map it)
Breakfast is included with your room reservation at the Kimpton Shinjuku. Please be sure to grab a meal before heading to the General Sessions.
9:00 -
9:15 am
Welcome to COLAB 25
Ann-Louise Rosen, WPI Board Chair + Co-CEO | Advance
9:15 -
9:30 am
Sponsor Spotlight: Workamajig
Mike McGee | Workamajig
9:30 -
10:45 am
Agency Showcase
Pass the mic session as WPI Partners will be asked to share one area of your business that you are most excited about, or, one business challenge you are facing that you hope your Partners can help you address.
10:45 -
11:15 am
Networking Break
11:15 -
11:45 am
WPI Next
John Harris, President + CEO | Worldwide Partners
John Harris, President & CEO of Worldwide Partners, will provide an update on the network and outline the goals and strategies for the next year.
11:45 am -
12:45 pm
Built to Grow: Clearing the Path to Your Next Chapter
Ivan Fernandes, Strategic Advisor to Indie Agencies | M&A Growth Partner
With two decades of experience spanning holding companies, challenger networks, and fiercely independent agencies, Ivan Fernandes knows what it takes to build a business that lasts, and what quietly holds it back. As a seasoned marketing management consultant and M&A advisor, Ivan works with independent agencies to grow smart, scale sustainably, and ultimately exit on their own terms.
In this session, Ivan will share practical insights on how to identify the hidden blockers to growth, engineer your business for scale, and lay the groundwork for whatever comes next—whether that’s doubling down, stepping up, or stepping away. If you’re thinking about the future, this is a session you won’t want to miss.
12:45 -
1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45 -
2:45 pm
Market of One: Transforming Your Agency from Undifferentiated to Unforgettable
Robin Bonn, Author and CEO of Co:definery
In today’s saturated agency landscape, sounding different isn’t the same as being different. Robin Bonn joins us to explore how agencies can break free from the trap of sameness and create truly differentiated value that clients can’t ignore.
Rather than competing in a crowded market on price or capabilities alone, agencies must rethink how they position themselves—from mindset to culture to client experience. Learn how to build a business that commands attention, attracts better-fit clients, and inspires internal alignment.
2:45 -
3:00 pm
Networking Break
3:00 -
4:30 pm
Rethinking Agency Pricing Models: From Theory to Practice
The agency business model is evolving, and pricing innovation is at the heart of the change. In this highly interactive session, we’ll explore emerging models that challenge the traditional retainer and time-based approach—and examine what’s working (and what’s not) in the real world.
We’ll kick off with a rapid-fire panel featuring John Harris, Ivan Fernandes, and Robin Bonn, unpacking the latest pricing strategies—value and outcome-based models, hybrid retainer + performance structures, subscription/ productised services, and capacity-based approaches. They’ll share quick-hit pros, cons, and cautionary tales from their own engagements.
From there, participants will break into small groups to roll up their sleeves and dive deeper. Each table will explore four key questions:
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What’s the business case—how do we balance client value with agency margin?
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What two metrics best define success, and how do we track them?
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What commercial and legal guardrails need to be in place?
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What would a 90-day pilot look like to test the model?
We’ll close by reconvening to hear short share-backs from each table, giving everyone a chance to leave with practical insights, tested ideas, and inspiration to rethink their own commercial strategies.
4:30 -
4:45 pm
Closing Remarks
7:00 -
10:00 pm
Group Dinner
Happo-En
1 Chome-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-8631, Japan (map it)
Nestled within a vast 400-year old Japanese garden, HAPPO-EN is a place to experience the beautiful heart and culture of Japan. We will be dining in the Hakuho-kan annex.
Please make your way to Happo-En. Uber vouchers will be provided.
Thursday, October 9 - Day 2
Our general sessions will take place at the Kimpton Shinjuku hotel - 3 Chome-4-7 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan. (map it)
Breakfast is included with your room reservation at the Kimpton Shinjuku. Please be sure to grab a meal before heading to the General Sessions.
9:00 -
9:15 am
Day 1 Recap
Ann-Louise Rosen, WPI Board Chair + Co-CEO | Advance
9:15 -
9:30 am
Sponsor Spotlight: billups
Ben Milne, Chief Executive Officer - APAC | billups
9:30 -
10:45 am
Investment Nuances Meet Marketing Realities
Jenny Chan, Editor | WARC
WARC's proprietary research challenges conventional Western marketing wisdom in Asia's diverse markets. Data from 150 local case studies reveals a surprising truth: brand investment doesn't just build long-term equity—it supercharges immediate results. Campaigns balancing brand elements consistently outperform pure performance marketing in driving even immediate sales. This proves brand building delivers tangible returns faster than most marketers realise. WARC editor Jenny Chan will share specific regional data points and explore the Asian effectiveness dynamics impacting global marketers.
10:45 -
11:15 am
Networking Break
11:15 am -
12:15 pm
Globally Famous, Locally Loved
Vivian Yong, Former Chief Creative Officer, W+K APAC
As Chief Creative Officer of Wieden+Kennedy APAC, Vivian Yong has led some of the region’s most talked-about, culture-shaping campaigns. In this dynamic session, Vivian explores how to create bold, resonant work that connects globally while staying deeply rooted in local insight.
Drawing on her experience across markets and brands, she’ll share the backstories behind standout campaigns—what made them work, why they mattered, and how they drove real impact for both culture and business. Get ready for a visually rich session full of creative inspiration and practical takeaways for independent agencies looking to stay creatively fearless without the constraints of a holding company.
12:15 -
1:15 pm
Lunch and WPI Shareholder Meeting
1:15 -
2:00 pm
How the Creator Economy is Rewriting Brand Experience
Ken Kimura, General Manager | Hotice
Welcome to the post-influencer era, where creators aren’t just promoting brands, they’re building them. In this bold look at what’s next, Hotice, a global social media marketing company, dives into the collision of influence, experience, and identity. From pop-up fandom activations in Tokyo to creator-led product drops in Paris, today’s campaigns blur the line between content and culture, digital and real life.
Backed by global insights and thousands of creator collaborations, this session explores how independent agencies can ride the next wave of experiential influence, where the medium is the message, and the messenger is a movement.
2:00 -
3:00 pm
Net-Walking
Back by popular demand, attendees will pair up for a networking stroll through Shinjuku Central Park to share your biggest challenges and explore specific collaboration opportunities.
3:00 -
3:15 pm
Networking Break
3:15 -
4:15 pm
Winning Matters
Sean Fitzpatrick, All Blacks Captain + Rugby Icon
Presented by Essential Talent
Legendary All Blacks captain and rugby icon Sean Fitzpatrick brings the conference to a powerful close with insights on what it takes to build and sustain a winning culture. Drawing from his experiences leading one of the world’s greatest sports teams—and his work translating those lessons into the business world—Sean will share the core principles behind high performance, resilience, and leadership under pressure. With stories from the pitch and beyond, this energizing session will inspire agency leaders to think bigger, lead stronger, and win smarter.
4:15 -
4:30 pm
Closing Remarks
7:00 -
10:00 pm
Group Dinner
Yakatabune Amit-Tatsu Dinner Cruise
1-chōme-3-3 Etchūjima, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0044, Japan (map it)
Founded 100 years ago, Yakatabune AMITATSU boats offer unparalleled views of the Tokyo harbor and skyline and a unique dining experience.
Please make your way to the meeting spot at Etchūjima Pier to board the boat. Uber vouchers will be provided.