Byron Allen to Deliver Opening Keynote at DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit

Allen Media Group founder, chairman and chief executive Byron Allen will take the stage for the opening keynote conversation at the 14th annual DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit on October 13 at Chelsea Piers in New York, according to the DPAA announcement reported by DailyDOOH. The summit takes place during Out of Home New York week, which runs October 12 through 16, 2026, now in its 15th year according to the announcement. Allen plans to discuss the power of video as the primary storytelling tool for brands looking to meaningfully connect with consumers, according to the announcement.

Who is Byron Allen and what is Allen Media Group?

Byron Allen founded Allen Media Group and serves as its chairman and chief executive, according to the DPAA announcement via DailyDOOH. The company's portfolio includes The Weather Channel and its Local Now streaming service, 13 network-affiliated broadcast television stations, cable television networks, a theatrical and digital movie production and distribution arm, and a majority stake in BuzzFeed where Allen also serves as chairman and chief executive, according to the announcement. Allen Media Group is described in the announcement as the largest supplier of first-run syndicated programming and network television in the industry, though this claim appears only in the single source and has not been independently verified. The announcement also describes him as one of the most influential media moguls in today's entertainment and technology space. Allen's career began as a performer — he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as a stand-up comic, which the announcement characterizes as the youngest to do so, though this biographical detail also appears only in that single source.

What is the DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit?

The DPAA Global Video Everywhere Summit is a conference organized by the DPAA, now in its 14th year according to the announcement. The 2026 edition takes place October 13 at Chelsea Piers in New York City during Out of Home New York week. According to the announcement, the summit is curated around the theme of Real Connections and will showcase and discuss screen advertising and storytelling opportunities as digital screens and video are prolific and growing aggressively outside the home, from Times Square and Piccadilly to movie theaters, office buildings, airports, highways plus retail and transit centers, attracting media and marketing decision makers.

Why does the summit coincide with Out of Home New York week?

According to the announcement, Out of Home New York week runs October 12 through 16, 2026, now in its 15th year, and will feature a mix of FREE and PAID events — conferences, VIP dinners, showcases, cocktails, open house, breakfast debates, tours and other ad-hoc activities. The announcement lists four of the biggest events of the week as the DPAA Global Summit, the ARF Creative Effectiveness Conference and David Ogilvy Awards Dinner & Reception, the OAAA's OBIE Awards and Sony's Professional Display Solutions AV Tech Expo.

What topics will Byron Allen address in his keynote?

Allen plans to discuss video as the primary storytelling tool for brands seeking meaningful connections with consumers, according to the DPAA announcement via DailyDOOH. The announcement states his unique life experience has given him an intimate understanding of what it takes to stay engaging as a brand, and says he is a much sought-after speaker at leading industry conferences. The announcement also quotes Allen: "The media industry is going through an enormous transformation. The disruption is creating both a massive demise and extraordinary opportunities. Without hesitation, this is the moment you must decide – are you a victim or a pioneer? I've chosen pioneer."

Who else is speaking at the summit?

According to the announcement, the lineup curated around the theme of Real Connections intentionally brings together influential voices who would not ordinarily share the same stage. In addition to Byron Allen, the announcement names former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, agency leaders from Mediahub and Stagwell, and CMOs representing American Eagle Outfitters, Major League Soccer, Expedia and more. The announcement also quotes DPAA President & CEO Barry Frey: "We are intentionally putting the people shaping media, culture and public conversation in the same room as the key decisionmakers across brands, commerce and investment. True to this year's theme of Real Connections is bringing together people who have a deep understanding of how to turn attention, influence, and trust into action."

What is the Digital Place-Based Advertising Association?

The Digital Place-Based Advertising Association (DPAA) is identified in the announcement as the organizer of the Global Video Everywhere Summit. The announcement identifies Barry Frey as DPAA President & CEO.

How does the summit address programmatic DOOH and measurement?

The announcement does not list programmatic DOOH, retail media networks, or measurement standards as specific agenda topics. It states that screen advertising and storytelling opportunities will be showcased and discussed at the summit.

What role does retail media play in the summit agenda?

The announcement does not identify retail media networks as a specific focus area for the summit.

Why it matters for small-business readers

According to the announcement, digital screens and video are now prolific and growing outside the home — from Times Square and Piccadilly to movie theaters, office buildings, airports, highways plus retail and transit centers — and these opportunities will be showcased and discussed at the summit, attracting media and marketing decision makers. For small-business readers, the summit's focus on place-based video reflects broader industry attention to screens outside the home.