New AI tools launch constantly. Most agencies don't have time to test even a fraction of them.
At Masthead, Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich and her team have done it for you. They spent 25 weeks testing 25 AI tools to find out which ones deliver and which ones don’t. Which ones made sense for them and which ones didn’t.
At the AI for Agencies Summit, presented by Screendragon, Julie will help agencies skip over weeks of testing by sharing what she learned: the wins, the misses, and the practical takeaways agencies can use now.
Why This Conversation Matters for Agencies
Agencies are under pressure to move fast, scale smart, and deliver standout work. AI tools promise to help, but the sheer volume of options makes regular evaluation exhausting. How do you know which tools to try? Which ones are worth your time? Which ones will actually improve operations, boost efficiency, or elevate creative output?
Most agencies figure this out through trial and error. Julie and her team took a more systematic approach, testing tools across real workflows and documenting what worked and what didn't. This session gives you the benefit of that hands-on experience so you can focus on tools that fit your agency model.
What You'll Learn in This Session
During this session, Julie will cover:
- Which AI tools helped streamline operations and improve team efficiency
- Which tools elevated creative output and client deliverables
- Which tools fell short and why
- How to evaluate, select, and implement AI tools with confidence
- A practical roadmap for integrating AI into your agency's workflow
You'll leave with clear, tested recommendations instead of more tools added to your To Do list.
Join the Conversation at the AI for Agencies Summit
Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich will present "25 Tools, 25 Weeks: How Agencies Can Solve Marketing Challenges with AI" at the AI for Agencies Summit, a free, virtual event happening on Feb. 12, 2026, for agency leaders and practitioners navigating AI adoption with intention.
- February 12
- Free registration
- Virtual
Register for the AI for Agencies Summit
If you want a shortcut through the noise and a tested roadmap for AI tool selection and adoption, this session is for you.
Learn More From Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich
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About Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich
Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich is an award-winning content marketing specialist and entrepreneur. She is a managing partner at Masthead, co-founder of the Women in Content & Marketing Association (WICMA), co-founder of the AI Marketing Innovation Council (AIMIC), and host of the podcast WomenHeard.
Hochheiser Ilkovich honed her experience and career expertise working at Warner Bros. (editorial director of Alloy Entertainment, creators of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries), Hearst (site director for Seventeen Magazine and the Hearst Teen Network), and AOL.
Hochheiser Ilkovich is a proud recipient of a New York Women in Communications WiCi Award, which celebrates career achievements of rising stars in communications.
About the AI for Agencies Summit
The AI for Agencies Summit brings together agency leaders and practitioners to explore how AI is reshaping agency models, services, and growth.
Do you want to hear from Julie and five other agency leaders? Register for the free, virtual AI for Agencies Summit 2026, taking place Feb. 12, 2026.
Cathy McPhillips
Cathy McPhillips is the Chief Marketing Officer at SmarterX and Marketing AI Institute