This year's INTA Annual Meeting is once again almost upon us.

The event is now global benchmark on the IP industry calendar. This year's no different with more than 10,000 delegates set to descend on the San Diego Convention Center, for five days of meetings, presentations and networking. Again, Gowling WLG's IP team is setting the agenda by providing numerous speakers, panellists and thought leaders.

Among the firm's speaker line-up is Canadian partner Jayde Wood. She is also co-chair of the INTA Advertising Law Sub-committee and will be moderating two successive breakfast sessions at this year's event. The first covers ad law around the world, on May 20. The following day, she moderates a deep dive into strategic influencer co-branding.

Ahead of both, we unpack and preview the two sessions.

Ad law around the world

There are similarities and important differences in the application, interpretation, and management of advertising laws around the world. Most regions regulate through a combination of legislation and industry self-regulation. More complex sectors, such as banking and financial services, food and beverages, gambling and pharmaceuticals, have developed more specific regulations governing advertising.

However, it could be argued that we are now living in a post-truth world, largely due to the impact of social media and aggressive guerrilla marketing tactics. Emphasizing truthfulness, avoiding deception and addressing social responsibility are now front-of-mind for all.

INTA's Commercialization of Brands Committee has been working on a global advertising survey, which was updated this year. At the breakfast session on May 20, delegates will unpack the top five findings. They will take a deep dive into the key insights and trends uncovered from our analysis of international advertising regulations, while also exploring the similarities and differences in how different countries approach the adoption of advertising laws.

Strategic influencer co-branding

The following day will see a discussion on strategic influencer co-branding. Every brand covets influencers—the star quality of an endorsement and the potential sales they can offer inevitably enhance visibility and credibility. It can also be a thorny relationship.

INTA's Commercialization of Brands Committee is working on a tip-sheet for success and a model influencer agreement. What do you want to see on the tip-sheet, and what tips do you have to share with everyone? Delegates can now have their say. The session runs from 8 am to 10 am on May 21.

Gowling WLG's path to San Diego

It's been a decade since INTA was last in San Diego. Gowling WLG now offers more than 1,500 legal professionals across the globe—including a significant presence in Canada, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

In those 10 years, the world has also undergone a complete transformation, and we continue to evolve with it. Through times of change, our team remains at the forefront of brand protection and enforcement in new and emerging industries, handing everything from innovations in generative AI, life sciences, tech, aviation, automation, social media, cyber security, to safeguarding the new and the novel.

Our global IP team is at the 2025 INTA Annual Meeting—presenting, networking and collaborating to help tackle your critical challenges. The event runs from May 17 to May 21. To find out more, visit our dedicated event page here.