Indianapolis to Montreal: Key Insights from the AMIN Worldwide Integrated Conference
What We Brought Home: 3 Takeaways from the AMIN Worldwide Integrated Conference in Montreal
CVR is a proud member of AMIN Worldwide (Advertising and Marketing Independent Network), a network of over 50 global agencies like ours that are committed to elevating the value we bring to our clients every day. One of the ways we do that is through participation in conferences, including AMIN Worldwide's annual Integrated Conference, built to bring experts from across the agency together to learn how we can think differently, be more collaborative and drive more value.
This year, CVR brought pros from account leadership, creative, media and social media and the team came back buzzing with ideas, new tools and exciting peer connections. Here are three takeaways from the conference that we’re already putting in motion:
Takeaway #1: The Value of Generational Wisdom in Agency Life
Jack Cannon, Associate Creative Director
One key conversation that stood out: how agencies need to better understand and respect the different generations we work with. The discussion centered on the evolving view of work-life balance, with Gen Z often prioritizing flexibility, mental health and value-driven work. This generational shift isn’t a threat; it’s an opportunity. Every generation has challenged the one before it, and history shows this pattern isn’t new.
In fact, a quote from The New York Times in 1932 reads:
“The younger generation today is far too self-absorbed and lazy. They live in a dream world of comfort and have no understanding of hard work.”
Sound familiar? Versions of this statement have been repeated for over 2,500 years. And yet each generation grows, adapts and reshapes the world in ways the last couldn't imagine.
Key takeaway? When we take time to understand where each generation is coming from, we don’t just create a stronger agency culture; we make better work. Gen Z brings fresh perspectives and bold values. Gen X and Boomers bring depth and experience. Millennials often bridge the two with genuine understanding.
When we tap the strengths of each group, we unlock more thoughtful strategy, more original ideas and more relevant campaigns.
Thank you to Rachel Tobin and Nicole Bishop for the great presentation.
Takeaway #2: How Listening Builds Better Communication
Bo Stewart, Associate Media Director
One presentation at AMIN that really stuck with me was about how we listen. Fred Blaise, from our fellow Montreal AMIN agency, Rinaldi, led a session on Conversation Intelligence (CI), which is the ability to understand, analyze, and act on what is and felt in every key exchange. CI shapes our communications with clients, coworkers and how we bring our brands to market. In an industry that moves fast, and with the next deadline always breathing down our necks, we don’t always pause long enough to truly hear what’s being said or felt in return.
Conversational Intelligence isn’t just about collecting feedback or touching base. It’s about listening with intention, picking up on the tone, the hesitation, the emotion and then using those signals to adapt with empathy and respond with clarity.
When done well, CI builds trust. It leads to sharper creative, stronger communication, and better relationships across the board. 61% of consumers tune out brands that misread them. The same goes for teams - when people don’t feel seen or heard, they check out.
Key takeaway? Listening isn’t a soft skill; it’s a competitive edge. CI helps agencies tune in to what really matters, catch the signals others miss, and create work that actually connects. As Fred put it, “the future doesn’t belong to those who shout the loudest, but to those who listen the best.”
Takeaway #3: Avoiding the Plateau of Indifference
Blake Lofgren, VP, Account Service
Reid Holmes, a Brand Revitalizer and keynote speaker at the conference, reminded us that in marketing, interruption does not equal attention. In the 1950s, consumers navigated approximately 300 messages per day, and in 2025, that number could exceed 5,000-10,000 on a daily basis.
To create brand loyalty in today’s world of interruption, brands must consistently connect with their customers in a deep and meaningful way to ensure that, at the purchase decision phase, their brand isn’t stuck in the plateau of indifference. A no-man’s land between brands that are always considered (where price and convenience sway decisions) and those who are always chosen is driven by aligning a brand’s values and connections with those of their customers. Simply breaking through the clutter is no longer enough.
Key takeaway? To move from being considered to unwavering loyalty, marketers must help brands form authentic, value-based connections with their audience. Consistent and meaningful engagement breaks through the interruption fog, creating lasting brand allegiance.
For CVR, these takeaways aren’t just notes from a conference; they’re fuel for how we show up for our clients every day. From embracing the strengths of every generation to listening with intention, to building brands that rise above indifference, the energy from Montreal is already shaping our work. That’s the value of AMIN:
Shared Ideas.
Global Perspective.
And a united drive to Build Brands That Matter.
A special shoutout to Rinaldi, our AMIN partner in Montreal, who coordinated a fantastic conference full of new experiences, informative content and just the right amount of maple syrup to make it all stick.
Are you looking for a strategic and collaborative partner to elevate your brand, non-profit, or companies mission and deepen your connection to your audience? Let’s connect and make something great together.