MAD Stars tackles the future of the industry from AI, creativity, burnout and more
While AI is a focus of interest at MAD STARS 2025, other technological dimensions of the industry are certainly not forgotten. Nor is the all-important human factor. From streaming disruption to creative burnout, from emotional branding to public trust in AI, these sessions at next week’s MAD STARS festival explore the critical questions that define the industry’s future.
The Future of FAST & OTT Advertising will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 13:30-14:00
The Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) market is experiencing explosive growth, with its size projected to reach $11.83 billion by 2027. However, traditional Server-Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) technologies, central to this ecosystem, present significant challenges: limited access to major demand pools such as Google’s, ongoing operational costs, and restricted, non-interactive ad formats among them.
Wonjang Baek, CEO of Anypoint Media, will introduce FLOWER, a next-generation ad platform for FAST/OTT. By combining a cloud ad server with a client-side SDK, FLOWER eliminates SSAI costs and enables latency-free ad insertion, a critical feature for live content. It also unlocks access to Google’s ad demand, significantly increasing monetisation potential. With support for interactive formats such as clickable overlays and skippable ads, FLOWER offers a compelling new approach to engaging viewers and driving revenue.
Brainrot – Stupidity as Brand Connector will be held on Thursday, August 28, 13:30-14:00
In an age of endless content and shrinking attention spans, brands are pumping out reactive, repetitive, and overly optimised messages faster than ever, but often with diminishing meaning. Pancho Gonzalez, co-founder and chief creative officer at Inbrax, believes we are facing a silent creative crisis. He describes it as a kind of mental fatigue where originality is replaced by automation and big ideas are sacrificed for small metrics. He calls it brainrot.
This session is a wake-up call for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the pace of the industry or uninspired by its sameness. Gonzalez urges marketers to reclaim the soul of creativity, not by resisting change but by creating work that truly matters. He challenges the audience to connect with consumers who embrace absurdity, not by chasing performance alone but by making meaning.
There is anything more human than algorithm will be held on Thursday, August 28, 14:30-15:00
In a world shaken by war, inflation, and widespread institutional distrust, can algorithms really connect with people? Alejandro Di Trolio, European Creative Chairman at Cheil, asks whether AI can go beyond targeting to become a genuine ally for brands seeking human connection.
This session doesn’t just reflect on AI’s potential, it demonstrates it. Di Trolio offers a powerful perspective on how brands can still create experiences that are rooted in empathy, belief, and emotional truth. In an age that often feels dehumanised, he argues, there is still hope on the other side of artificial intelligence.
Why Did Korea’s Leading Restaurant Guide, Blue Ribbon, Change Its Color to Red? will be held on Friday, August 29, 13:00-13:30
Why would a restaurant guide known for its blue ribbon suddenly go red? Sangsu Lee, Director of E2E Experience & Connections Strategy & Media Operations at Coca-Cola Korea, will share the success story of the Red Ribbon campaign. This session highlights how a bold, idea-driven approach, regardless of marketing budget, can spark massive impact. Lee will detail the creative and strategic execution that transformed a simple colour change into a powerful cultural conversation.
No Right Answer, Just the Moment: When Unpredictability Becomes Content will be held on Friday, August 29, 16:00-16:30.
Hongchul Ro, a beloved TV personality and entrepreneur in Korea, is best known internationally for starring in Netflix’s The Hungry and the Hairy. He rose to fame as a core cast member of Infinite Challenge, one of Korea’s most famous variety shows, celebrated for its unpredictability and creativity. Known for his high-energy style and unfiltered humour, Ro brings a fresh, instinct-driven perspective to brand storytelling in the digital age.
In today’s landscape, there may seem to be no single right answer for content. But that is exactly the point. Ro believes that brands are no longer built by strategy alone but by emotion. In this session, he will share his philosophy that unpredictability is not a risk but an opportunity, one that fuels creative breakthroughs. By stepping outside the expected, brands can connect with audiences more deeply and authentically. As Ro puts it, “Play outside the box. That’s where the real opportunities are.”
Explore all the MAD STARS conference sessions here.