EMU Today

YPSILANTI — More than 200 attendees convened for the 13th annual Digital Marketing Workshop, hosted by Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Digital Engagement, on Nov. 17. Themed "The Age of AI," the event drew attendees eager to delve into the intersection of digital marketing and artificial intelligence.

Bud Gibson, EMU professor of integrated marketing communications and director of the Center for Digital Engagement, guided the participants through a day filled with insights and practical applications of AI in the marketing landscape. Reflecting on the event, Gibson said, “Our conference provided real-world examples of the types of things that are and are not possible with the current state of AI.”

The keynote address was delivered by EMU alum Chris Prucha, founder of the 3D printer company Origin, which he sold for $100 million in late 2020, and co-founder of Notion, a productivity application recently valued at $10 billion. “Our keynote chronicled how Chris built Origin into a brand he could sell for $100 million. Chris, currently an AI investor, concluded by giving us an overview of where he thinks AI is headed,” said Gibson.

Following the keynote, the conference featured two panel discussions. The first, on Growth Marketing with AI, showcased how large and small companies leverage AI to enhance marketing and sales processes. The second, on Content Creation with AI, explored the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into content creation workflows. The day concluded with a lunch panel summarizing key takeaways.

In addition to Prucha, notable speakers included Bilal Saeed, vice president of marketing and brand strategy for the Detroit Pistons, Nick Woods, account strategist for Google, and Ryan Redoute, known as “That Michigan Guy” on social media platforms, alongside other esteemed local marketers.

The conference, a comprehensive exploration of AI's role in marketing, demonstrated AI's profound impact on workflows and marketing effectiveness. As Gibson noted, "You can’t just let AI loose on content creation and expect good results. But with practice, AI can dramatically speed up your workflows and make your marketing more effective," said Gibson.

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About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.