“AI is No Longer a Trend” - Smartly's Brianna Gays

Career transitions from journalism to advertising technology aren't exactly common, but when someone makes that leap and then starts making definitive statements about industry trends, it's worth paying attention. Smartly's Brianna Gays brings a perspective shaped by chasing breaking news stories and understanding how rapidly consumer behavior evolves. Her approach to discussing AI and advertising transformation reflects someone who's witnessed firsthand how quickly the media landscape can shift.

What makes Brianna's viewpoint particularly compelling is her role in shaping conversations at Smartly's ADVANCE 2025 event, where she's bringing together major industry voices to challenge conventional thinking about brand loyalty and measurement. Her philosophy about advertising's role in our economy and her data-driven insights about consumer expectations reveal someone who's spent time understanding both sides of the media equation. Plus, her ability to maintain professional composure during unexpected interruptions demonstrates the kind of adaptability that comes from years of live reporting experience.

Brianna Gays's Mission to Turn Brand Loyalty Into Brand Love 🩷

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Newsroom-to-Ad-Tech Transformer: Started at ABC News covering fires, plane crashes, and presidential coronations before discovering her passion for ad tech and how technology was changing consumer behavior 📰
Smartly ADVANCE 2025 Visionary: Leading conversations at Smartly's NYC event, where the biggest names in advertising, business, and media challenge marketers to turn brand loyalty into brand love 🎯
AI-Is-Not-A-Trend Prophet: Declares "AI is no longer a trend, period" and backs it up with data showing 73% of consumers expect AI-personalized ads and 80% can tell the difference when it's used 🤖
Advertising-for-Good Advocate: Believes advertising powers our free economy and helps people discover inspiring brands, from REI motivating hikes to Spotify introducing new podcasts 💡
Live-Interview Survivor: Kept her composure and continued the conversation even when a rat ran across her living room mid-interview—now that's professional dedication 🐭