As technology continues to advance and shift at pace, the ad tech industry must make the same evolution. The speed at which new trends, gadgets and platforms emerge means that ad tech providers face a constant race to keep up with both brand needs and consumer expectation. With digital media spend increasing, competition within the ad tech sector is intensifying, so providers must find ways to stand out in a crowded media landscape.
Consumers too have a stake in the rise of ad tech. As the usage of private data becomes more of a pressing issue, what can be done to reassure users that their data is being used responsibly in the face of increasingly specialised, personalised ads? Furthermore, how is the legal system adjusting and redefining itself to legislate as services and platforms evolve so rapidly?
A panel of experts will be coming together from 1pm until 2:30pm (BST) on Thursday 14th May to offer their thoughts on the evolution of ad tech and answer your questions.
The panel will be answering questions on
- What does it take to stand out in this crowded marketplace?
- How much consolidation of the ad tech market can we expect?
- Are brands, agencies and publishers making the most of ad tech? What factors are holding them back?
- How can advertisers connect with consumers across multiple platforms?
- As online advertising becomes increasingly targeted, what can the industry do to reassure users of their online safety and security?
Panel
Joe Connors, head of client solutions, AdRoll
Joe leads the EMEA client solutions function from AdRoll’s London office, managing a team dedicated to campaign management and optimisation. Joe joined AdRoll from Yahoo UK where he held a number of sales and product roles, particularly focused on performance marketing and programmatic buying/selling.
James Hilton, founder and global CEO, M&C Saatchi Mobile
James is an accomplished British marketer with over 18 years’ experience in direct response marketing strategy. He has held senior executive positions at leading global media and consumer brands including WeightWatchers, MGM Mirage, Guardian Media Group and Grey Advertising. M&C Saatchi Mobile is now one of the largest global mobile agencies with over 100 employees with offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sydney, Cape Town, and Singapore.
Ross McKean, partner, Olswang
Ross is a partner at international technology, media and telecoms law firm Olswang and leads the firm’s data protection practice. He has a broad experience of data protection and privacy matters including audits, compliance assessments, remediation projects, ad hoc and transactional advice.
Anthony Waller, partner, Olswang
Anthony is a partner in Olswang’s market-leading corporate group and heads up the firm’s highly regard technology practice Anthony advises businesses ranging from high growth startups through to established players in the technology market on all aspects of their corporate development including raising finance, private company and public M&A and IPOs. In recent years, Anthony helped some of the best-known names in ad tech both in the UK and internationally.
Sarah Wood, co-foudner and COO, Unruly
Sarah is co-founder and COO of video ad tech company Unruly, named as the UK’s #2 Fastest Growing Tech Company (Deloitte, 2012), where she ensures the company delivers the most awesome social video campaigns on the planet.
Jonathan di Sapia, director of business development UK, Improve Digital
Jonathan heads up Improve Digital’s UK office and oversees publisher business development, as well as high level demand relationships within key agency trading desks. Prior to joining Improve Digital, he held a number of key sales roles at Dennis Publishing.
More panelists to follow
This live discussion takes places in the comments section below. To take part, sign in (or sign up) as a Guardian comments user and submit your question or query below. You can post something now for the panel to pick up on the day or join us live.
This live Q&A is provided by Olswang, sponsors of the Guardian Media Network’s changing business hub
