Digital Marketing Strategies 2026: Leveraging AI, Data and Automation for Growth

This event is sold out. Please contact FCS Administrative & Communications Coordinator, Juliet McAlee ([email protected]), for inquiries.

The FCS will stage a full-morning Education Summit on Wednesday, February 18, at the New York Yacht Club, on the theme “Leveraging AI, Data and Automation for Growth.” The content of this event will be driven by the research and work of professors at Northwestern University‘s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, in partnership with the Financial Marketing Institute (FMI), led by Frank Dudley. 

As digital marketing continues to evolve at pace, financial services marketers are under increasing pressure to translate emerging technologies into measurable growth. This session will explore how leading firms are leveraging AI, data, and automation to sharpen targeting, improve efficiency, and drive more relevant, timely engagement across channels. We’ll examine practical strategies for integrating advanced analytics, personalization, and marketing automation into day-to-day execution—while navigating governance, compliance, and organizational change on the path to 2026 and beyond.

The Summit will feature new research plus panel discussions with marketing executives from leading financial brands.

Sponsorship packages for this event are available. Please contact FCS CEO Kevin Windorf.

AGENDA

8:00amRegistration and breakfast
8:30amDigital Marketing Strategies for Growth
Frank Dudley and Vijay Viswanathan, PhD, will present best practices for leveraging AI, data, and automation in financial marketing, share insights from FMI’s latest research, and highlight examples of top-performing firms via its Digital Experience benchmarking for 2026.
Frank Dudley, President, Financial Marketing Institute; Professor, Northwestern University
Vijay Viswanathan, PhD, Lead Analyst, Financial Marketing Institute; Professor, Northwestern University
9:15amMarketing Leadership panel
Discussion of how marketers are successfully integrating AI, automation, and advanced analytics to drive growth and improve customer engagement.
Greg Boosin, Chief Marketing Officer, Equitable
Paula Pullano, Global Head of Marketing, Investments & Wealth, BNY
Shana Sood, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Individual Life Insurance, Prudential Financial
10:00amNetworking Break
10:15amBrand Intelligence: AI-Driven Brand Experience Management 
Vijay Viswanathan, PhD, will present on how GenAI can supercharge brand experience management by continuously auditing your brand’s presence across markets and segments, surfacing real‑time signals, and accelerating insight‑driven decisions—while powering dynamic content mapping and targeted messaging that resonates with customers at every touchpoint.
10:45amFuture-Focused Digital Marketing panel
Discussion of emerging tools, technologies, and strategies for 2026, including generative AI, real-time personalization, and compliance considerations..
Pradip Sigdyal, Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, Americas, UBS Global Wealth Management
Aparna Menon, SVP, Head of U.S. Digital Marketing and MarTech Transformation, TD Bank
Veronica Mendoza, Vice President of Growth Marketing, Betterment
11:30amNetworking

  • Start February 18, 2026 08:00 AM EST
  • End February 18, 2026 11:30 AM EST
  • Location NEW YORK YACHT CLUB 37 WEST 44TH STREET NYC

Speakers

Panelist Paula Pullano

Global Head of Marketing, Investments & Wealth

Paula Pullano is Global Head of Marketing, Investments & Wealth, at BNY, which she joined in 2022.

Panelist Greg Boosin

Chief Marketing Officer

Greg Boosin is the Chief Marketing Officer of Equitable and a member of the firm’s Operating Committee. In this role, Mr. Boosin leads all aspects of the company’s marketing strategy to support its Retirement and Wealth Management businesses, focusing on accelerating business growth, deepening client engagement, and increasing brand awareness. Prior to joining Equitable in […]

Panelist Shana Sood

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Individual Life Insurance

Shana Sood is Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Individual Life Insurance, Prudential Financial, which she joined in 2025.

Panelist Pradip Sigdyal

Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, Americas

Pradip Sigdyal is Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, Americas at UBS Global Wealth Management, which he joined in 2022.

Panelist Aparna Menon

Head of U.S. Digital Marketing & MarTech Transformation

Aparna Menon is SVP, Head of U.S. Digital Marketing and MarTech Transformation, at TD Bank, which she joined in 2022.

Panelist Veronica Mendoza

Vice President of Growth Marketing

Veronica Mendoza is Vice President of Growth Marketing at Betterment, where she leads customer acquisition and growth strategy across paid media, partnerships, and experimentation, with a particular focus on building and accelerating B2B pipeline and using data to drive sales outcomes. She is a key leader in Betterment’s AI-powered marketing optimization efforts. Earlier in her career, […]

Presenter Vijay Viswanathan, PhD

Professor & Associate Dean, IMC

Vijay Viswanathan is Lead Analyst, Financial Marketing Institute and Associate Dean of Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University, which he joined in 2010.

Presenter/Moderator Frank Dudley

President

Frank Dudley is a professor at Northwestern University (ranked #1 for Marketing in the U.S.) where he teaches courses in Modern Marketing Management, Marketing Strategy, Digital Marketing, Media and Innovation and Influencer Marketing. Frank is also President of the Financial Marketing Institute (FMI), which currently conducts the most comprehensive research on digital marketing and media […]