Conference: “Effective Uses of AI in Marketing”
Host: University at Buffalo (UB) School of Management’s Center for Marketing Analysis
Date & Time: March 27, 2026 — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pre‑conference Reception: March 26, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Center for the Arts Atrium, UB North Campus, Buffalo, New York, USA
Admission: Free and open to the public (students, faculty, industry professionals) (University at Buffalo)
Conference Focus & Themes
This one‑day event brings together leaders from retail, digital commerce, and academia to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing — moving from experimental tools to mission‑critical business functions: (University at Buffalo)
Key Themes
- AI in Everyday Marketing Decisions: How brands use AI for pricing, promotions, and supply chain insights.
- Data Strategy & Digital Commerce: Best practices for using AI to interpret customer behavior and drive sales.
- Productivity & Marketing Outcomes: Ways that AI can make marketing functions faster and more impactful.
- Ethics & Implementation Challenges: Candid conversations about what works — and what doesn’t — in real scenarios. (University at Buffalo)
According to John Hennessy, director of the Center for Marketing Analysis, “AI is no longer a future concept in marketing — it’s embedded in how organizations make decisions every day.” He adds that the conference will bring together people actively working with AI to discuss what’s working, what’s challenging, and what’s coming next. (University at Buffalo)
Speakers & Highlights
Industry Keynote
- Ron Ferri, President of Tops Markets — giving insight into using AI for pricing, promotions, and supply chain decisions. (University at Buffalo)
Afternoon Keynote
- Alex Monaco, Associate Partner at Bain & Company — sharing best practices and success stories of AI implementation in marketing. (University at Buffalo)
Academic Presentations
Scholars from:
- University of Toronto
- University of Rochester
will present data‑driven insights into digital commerce strategy, AI and productivity, and cutting‑edge marketing analytics. (University at Buffalo)
Student Showcase
A marketing student showcase highlights how AI tools are being used in real‑world academic projects and research. (University at Buffalo)
Who Should Attend & Why It Matters
The conference is designed for:
- Students and faculty exploring AI’s emerging role in marketing and data analytics
- Marketing professionals and digital commerce leaders aiming to implement AI in strategy and execution
- Industry participants interested in current and future AI trends in retail, commerce, and customer engagement (University at Buffalo)
With AI becoming core to everyday decision‑making in marketing — from personalization to productivity gains — the event is an opportunity to hear practical lessons, pitfalls, and future directions straight from practitioners and researchers. (University at Buffalo)
Logistics & Registration
- Registration: Open now (details on the official conference site).
- Cost: Admission is free.
- Venue: UB’s North Campus in Buffalo, New York, providing an accessible academic environment with space for networking and in‑depth discussion. (University at Buffalo)
In summary: This conference offers a comprehensive look at how AI is being effectively used — not just theoretically — in modern marketing. It combines industry leadership insights, academic research, real use cases, and student innovation, making it a key event for anyone interested in advancing marketing through artificial in
Here’s a detailed overview of the “Effective Uses of AI in Marketing” conference that the University at Buffalo School of Management is hosting — with case‑study examples, real use cases, and expert commentary showing how AI is being used in marketing today: (University at Buffalo)
Conference Overview & Purpose
The School of Management’s “Effective Uses of AI in Marketing” conference takes place on March 27, 2026 on the University at Buffalo’s North Campus. It’s designed to bring together industry leaders, retail experts, academic researchers, and marketing practitioners to explore how AI tools are being used in real business scenarios — not just theoretically. (University at Buffalo)
John Hennessy, director of the Center for Marketing Analysis, describes the conference goal as connecting people who “can speak candidly about what’s working, what’s challenging and what’s coming next” with AI in marketing. (University at Buffalo)
Real‑World Case Studies & Applications
While the official release does not list specific corporate case studies, the topics and speakers illustrate real business use cases that highlight how AI is applied in marketing today: (University at Buffalo)
1. Retail Pricing, Promotion & Supply Chains
Ron Ferri, President of Tops Markets, is delivering the opening keynote on how AI is used to:
- Set dynamic pricing based on demand prediction
- Tailor promotions to customer segments
- Optimize inventory and supply chain decisions using predictive models
These are direct applications of AI in a retail context, showing how machine learning can improve operational efficiency and profitability. (University at Buffalo)
Case Example: In grocery retail, AI pricing models use historical sale data, competitor pricing, and demand forecasts to adjust prices in real time — helping increase market share while maintaining margins (a type of real‑world strategy similar to what speakers will discuss). (University at Buffalo)
2. Data Strategy & Digital Commerce
Afternoon sessions include panels on data in the era of AI, showing how companies use predictive analytics to anticipate customer behavior and inform strategy — from digital marketplaces to customer segmentation. (University at Buffalo)
Broader industry insight: At other AI in marketing events, marketers highlight how AI can turn browsing history, purchase data, and social engagements into highly personalized campaigns that improve conversion and loyalty. (Reelmind)
3. Productivity Gains & Marketing ROI
The conference will also explore how AI can accelerate productivity — for example:
- Automating campaign testing and optimization
- Generating content at scale (emails, ads, social posts)
- Predicting campaign performance before launch
These uses show how AI goes beyond automation to enhance strategic decision‑making in marketing. (University at Buffalo)
Relevant observation from industry trends: AI tools now allow companies to forecast the ROI of different campaign strategies before committing budget — enabling smarter decisions and better allocation of resources. (Reelmind)
Expert Commentary & Themes From Other AI Marketing Events
Although the UB conference details don’t list external comments or case reports, insights from other AI marketing forums reveal major trends and impacts likely to be echoed at the event:
Hyper‑Personalization Drives Engagement
At recent AI marketing summits, speakers have emphasized how AI analyzes detailed customer data to tailor messages and recommendations — moving beyond broad segments to one‑to‑one personalized experiences, which increases loyalty and conversion. (Reelmind)
Generative AI Enhances Creative Output
Marketing leaders often point out that AI is transforming creative workflows — enabling teams to rapidly produce content across formats (text, imagery, scripts) while preserving brand voice. (Reelmind)
Ethics & Trust Are Core Topics
Experts in the field increasingly stress the need for ethical AI use — ensuring transparency around data collection, protecting consumer privacy, and auditing systems for fairness to avoid bias. (Reelmind)
These themes align closely with what UB’s conference aims to tackle — a focus on effective, responsible, and practical AI deployment in marketing. (University at Buffalo)
Comments From Organizers & Industry
Here’s what organizers and speakers are saying:
- John Hennessy (UB): AI is deeply embedded in today’s marketing decisions — not future tech — and the conference will examine real‑world benefits and limitations of AI tools. (University at Buffalo)
- Ron Ferri (Tops Markets): AI’s practical uses span from pricing algorithms to supply chain optimization, illustrating the breadth of AI’s marketing value. (University at Buffalo)
- Alex Monaco (Bain & Company) will discuss best practices and success stories from companies using AI for strategic marketing outcomes — offering actionable insights rather than theoretical concepts. (University at Buffalo)
Academic & Student Involvement
- The conference includes a Marketing Student Showcase that highlights real AI use cases developed by students — bridging academic learning with current industry tools and practices. (University at Buffalo)
- Presentations from faculty and visiting academics will spotlight research into how AI reshapes consumer analytics and productivity. (University at Buffalo)
Why This Matters
AI is rapidly transforming marketing — from data‑driven strategic decisions to automated creative execution — and this conference highlights how practitioners are applying these tools right now. It’s not a hypothetical discussion but a practical view into how companies improve performance, personalisation, and efficiency with AI — along with insights on ethical challenges and future opportunities. (University at Buffalo)