Innovative Minds Unite: Horizon Media and Google Host AI Hackathon for Entertainment Marketing's Future

Horizon Media and Google's AI Hackathon: Shaping Entertainment Marketing's Future



In a remarkable collaboration, Horizon Media, the largest independent media agency in the world, partnered with Google to host an innovative one-day AI hackathon titled "Hacking the Screen." The exciting event took place at Google’s St. John's Terminal office in Manhattan. Engaging students from nine esteemed universities, including the University of Massachusetts, Cornell University, Columbia University, and New York University, the hackathon aimed to explore and redefine the future of entertainment marketing through the power of AI.

The Event's Vision


The hackathon was meticulously designed to not only showcase emerging talent but also to foster creativity and collaboration between young minds and industry leaders. It was an opportunity for students to apply their skills in a practical environment where they could utilize Horizon Media's audience intelligence tools in conjunction with Google’s advanced Vertex AI platform. This fusion was essential to tackle genuine marketing challenges faced by entertainment brands today.

Hosted by Bob Lord, the president of Horizon Media Holdings, and Paijmaan Premji, a data transformation lead at Google, the event underscored the shared vision both companies have for advancing responsible AI usage in the marketing sector. With a focus on integrity and innovation, the event was a clear reflection of the commitment to nurturing future talent in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Participants and Their Innovations


Diverse teams composed of selected participants worked diligently to develop actionable solutions, grounded in real-world behavioral data. Each prototype they created was evaluated for its potential to improve business outcomes across various industries and audience segments. The collaborative effort went beyond theoretical applications, fostering an environment where students were encouraged to think critically and strategically to leverage AI's capabilities.

Bob Lord emphasized the significance of the projects presented by students, stating that they identified actionable opportunities rather than mere hypotheses. This hands-on experience not only educated participants about the real-world applications of AI but also demonstrated how these tools can enhance marketing strategies, accelerate execution, and bolster relevance in a dynamic market.

The Winning Team


The competition concluded with the announcement of the winning team, Synth Solutions, who clinched a grand prize of $10,000. Their innovative proposal utilized large language models to refine campaign messaging across various audience segments, pioneering predictive and impactful marketing strategies. The team, featuring Nyosha Homicil and Eric Kouperman from Pace University, Matthew Labasan from Columbia University, and Apun Datta from Hunter College, created a prototype that artfully blended data, empathy, and generative intelligence.

Projects were assessed on a five-point scale across five distinct criteria: problem understanding, technical execution, creativity, real-world relevance, and presentation. Judges, which included notable professionals from both Google and Horizon Media, looked for clear problem definitions, effective AI utilization, original ideation, and practical media and advertising applications.

Implementing feedback and insights from this event, top participants were also shortlisted for internships within Horizon Media's innovative AI, analytics, and design teams, presenting a unique opportunity for future career growth in a rapidly evolving industry.

About Horizon Media


Horizon Media was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in New York, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. As the largest independent media agency globally, Horizon has been instrumental in delivering data-driven results for some of the most ambitious brands, managing an extensive media investment portfolio exceeding $8.5 billion. Their mantra that "business is personal" fuels their approach to connecting brands with consumers and cultivating a fulfilling workplace environment.

Recognized frequently for their excellence in client services and workplace satisfaction, Horizon Media remains committed to diversity, equity, and fostering well-being among its employees. This recent collaboration with Google is another testament to their focus on shaping the future of marketing and technology convergence, continuously pushing the envelope in entertainment marketing.

In summary, the Horizon Media and Google AI Hackathon represents a significant stride towards integrating innovative technology in marketing strategies while empowering the leaders of tomorrow in this crucial industry.

Topics Entertainment & Media)

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