Creative Sparks Fly at AAF Tampa Bay’s Fireside Chat on AI in Advertising
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By Jessica Vega-Eugene
Cigar City Brewery buzzed with creative energy as marketing professionals from across Tampa Bay gathered for a candid conversation on the real-world impact of AI in advertising. This wasn’t your average tech panel—it was a refreshingly grounded dialogue that stripped away the buzzwords and got to the heart of what AI truly means for our industry.
Moderated by AAF Tampa Bay board member,Trevor Collinson, the fireside chat brought together three dynamic leaders offering distinct perspectives on the future of advertising:
- Ben Van Horn, VP of Ad Sales at Spectrum Reach
- Matt Boswell, Chief Creative Officer at Chappell Roberts
- Scott Welton, Director of Growth and Emerging Media at AI Digital
Together, they unpacked how AI is reshaping advertising workflows, broadening creative potential, and surfacing ethical considerations that no marketer can afford to ignore.
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AI: An Amplifier, Not a Replacement
A resounding theme emerged early in the discussion: AI should enhance—not replace—human creativity.
“AI can tell you the ‘what,’ but it’s still on us to understand the ‘why,’” one panelist emphasized, challenging attendees to reflect on their approach to AI implementation. Are we using it to elevate the human experience—or just to speed it up?
The consensus was clear: amplification over automation. When used thoughtfully, AI offers machine precision that can spark human intuition.
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The Ethics Imperative
As the conversation turned to data use and personalization, Scott Welton emphasized the importance of responsible data practices:
“AI is only as good as the data you feed it. If your inputs are flawed, your outputs will be too. That’s why ethics can’t be an afterthought.”
The message resonated with the room: as stewards of data, marketers must lead with transparency and integrity, especially as AI tools become more powerful and pervasive.
The Human Element Still Wins
While AI may streamline production and uncover trends, it can’t replicate emotional intelligence or brand nuance.
Matt Boswell spoke to the creative lens:
“AI can generate content, but it can’t ensure it aligns with your brand’s voice or vision. That’s still the human job.”
And Ben Van Horn reminded attendees that genuine connection is still the ultimate goal:
“It’s the people behind the message—and their understanding of the audience—that drive real results.”
Key Takeaways
- Stay Curious, Not Fearful: Embrace AI as a creative ally, not a threat.
- Know Your Tools: You don’t need to code, but understanding AI’s capabilities gives you a competitive edge.
- Protect Brand Voice: Just because AI can create content doesn’t mean it should. Keep your messaging authentic.
- Lead with Humanity: Storytelling, relationships, and intuition remain your most powerful tools.
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The night wrapped up with buzzing conversations over brews, as attendees swapped ideas and continued exploring how AI can coexist with—and elevate—authentic storytelling.
This is what AAF Tampa Bay is all about: real conversations, real people, and real solutions to the evolving challenges in advertising. The future isn’t about replacing creatives with machines—it’s about equipping creatives with the tools to do their best work.
Missed this event? More opportunities in the horizon.
In the meantime, stay curious, stay creative, and keep telling stories that matter.
Ready to join the conversation? Don’t hesitate connect with AAF Tampa Bay today.(link to membership page).
Jessica Vega-Eugene is a Digital PR Strategist and AAF Tampa Bay board member. In addition to traveling she runs on creativity, café con leche, and the occasional perfectly timed nap.