Ascendant Network Unveils All-Star Keynote and Speaker Lineup for Inaugural SHOWCASE: The World’s First Retail + Commerce Media Upfront

Tech savant Jeremiah Owyang keynotes, ahead of pitches from leading commerce media networks

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascendant Network today announced an all-star speaker lineup for SHOWCASE, the world’s first retail + commerce media upfront. Taking place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at The Times Center in New York City, the invite-only gathering will convene decision-makers across major holding company agencies, brand marketers, and retail and commerce media networks representing over $1 trillion in annual retail sales.

"As retail media matures into a core pillar of modern brand marketing, fragmentation remains the primary hurdle for decision-makers," said Susan MacDermid, CEO and Co-Founder of Ascendant Network. "SHOWCASE was created to convene top holding company agency leaders, major commerce networks, and brand heads of media investment under one roof to drive high-impact commercial dialogue, establish strategic partnerships, and streamline the annual planning cycle."

SHOWCASE features an opening by leading VC Jeremiah Owyang. There’s a remarkable line-up of upfront presentations including:

• AD Retail Media USA: Bobby Watts, SVP, AD Retail Media, Digital Merchandising & Marketing, Ahold Delhaize USA
• Albertsons Media Collective: Brian Monahan, SVP, Retail Media
• Chase Media Solutions: Lauren Griewski, Managing Director, Head of Go-To-Market
• Chewy Ads:
  • Frank Mulcahy, Head of Chewy Ads
  • Jaclyn Nix, COO, Kevel
• Dollar General Media Network:
  • Austin Leonard, VP & GM, DG Media Network
  • Steve Triplett, Business Development & Corporate Strategy, QSIC
• DICK’S Media:
  • Emily Silver, SVP, Chief Marketing, eCommerce & Athlete Experience Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods
  • Elizabeth DiLullo Brown, EVP, Chief Marketing & Business Relationships Officer, Little League International
  • Sameer Ahuja, President, GameChanger & SVP, DICK’S Sporting Goods
  • Dave Young, VP, DICK’S Media
• DoorDash Ads:
  • Tim Castree, Chief Marketing Officer, DoorDash
  • Katie Daleo, GM, CPG Ads, DoorDash
  • Peter Giordano, GM, Ads Platform & Growth Services, DoorDash
  • Glory Linsley, Head, CPG Partnerships, DoorDash
  • Kellen Wright, Sr Manager, Omnichannel Marketing, Keurig Dr Pepper
• H-E-B Retail Media: Stacy Torstrick, Managing Director, Retail Media, eCommerce, Merchandising & Site Operations
• Instacart Ads: Ali Miller, GM, Ads
• Macy’s Media Network:
  • Michael Krans, VP, Macy's Media Network, Macy’s
  • John Humphrey, SVP & GM, Rokt Ads
• Orange Apron Media:
  • Arun Ramaswamy, VP Product and Technology - Marketing and Orange Apron Media
  • Jeff Clifford, Sr Director and Head of Industry, Hardlines & Emerging Segments
  • Kailey Emery, Director, Ad Sales Marketing
• PayPal Ads:
  • Meera Iyer, VP, Venmo CMO, Venmo
  • Mark Grether, SVP, GM, PayPal Ads
  • Shannon Hajverov, Sr Director, Ads Commercialization
  • Asaf Davidov, Director, Head of Insights & Analytics
• RedVest Media: Tyler Lusebrink, Head of Brand Partnerships, RedVest Media, Ace Hardware Corporation
• Sallie Mae - Backpack Media:
  • Munif Jaafar, Senior Director, Strategy, Sallie Mae
  • Lindsey Blue, Head of Sales, GTM & Partnerships
• Walgreens Advertising Group:
  • John Storms, VP, Digital & Retail Media, Walgreens
  • Cole Johnson, Founder + CEO, The Looma Project

Andy Martino, the SNY and NY Mets reporter and host, closes the show by interviewing Todd Frazier, Little League World Series champion, former Major League Baseball third baseman, and two-time MLB All-Star, about his journey to the big leagues. Frazier’s rise to the top, similar to the growth trajectory of today’s retail and commerce media networks, is inspirational.

SHOWCASE provides brand and agency buyers with direct access to 2027 product roadmaps, new signal-rich data capabilities, and campaign efficiency tools from the world's premier retail media and commerce media networks.

Event Details & Format

• Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
• Location: The Times Center, 242 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036
• Format: Invite-only, single-day upfront featuring keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, and curated commercial networking sessions. View the agenda here.
• Registration: Qualified agency leaders, brand decision-makers, and media attendees can request attendance at https://ascendantnetwork.swoogo.com/showcase26/waitlist.

SHOWCASE is an invite-only event. For more information, please visit https://ascendantnetwork.com/showcase/.

About Ascendant Network

Ascendant Network builds influential communities of marketing, media, retail, and commerce media executives: RMN Americas Ascendant Boot Camp + RMN Europe Ascendant Boot Camp + Digital Ascendant. Its mission is to empower the professional development of the exceptional individual leaders at the forefront of media transformation.

Learn more at https://ascendantnetwork.com/showcase/.