[Watch on Demand] A Look Back at IAB Europe’s Virtual Programmatic Day – H1 2025

On 8th July, we hosted the latest edition of our flagship Virtual Programmatic Day (VPD). It’s now become one of the largest and most anticipated virtual events for the digital advertising industry in Europe. This edition brought a vibrant hybrid format to life, with an in-person experience held at an incredible riverside venue in London, hosted graciously by our member Rakuten Advertising.

Before the main programme kicked off at 15:00 CET, those attending in person were welcomed with a relaxed networking reception, offering the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and catch up with industry peers. The setting, overlooking the Thames, created a buzz of excitement that carried through the entire afternoon.

Setting the Stage for a Dynamic Dialogue

Opening the event, Dimitris Beis, lead of IAB Europe’s Programmatic Working Group, warmly welcomed both the in-person and virtual audiences. He then introduced Jorg, our host from Rakuten Advertising, who set the tone for an engaging series of discussions ahead.

The agenda was packed with thought-provoking content across four lively panel sessions, featuring expert voices from across the programmatic ecosystem. Please see below for an overview of each panel with a link to watch the recording:

Panel 1 - H1 Learnings, H2 Outcomes: The State of Programmatic

Moderator: Emma Jowett, VP Northern Europe Sales, IAS

Speakers:

• Andrew Buckman, Chief Growth Officer, Azerion
• Emma Newman, Chief Revenue Officer EMEA, PubMatic
• Jason Wescott, Global Head of Commerce Solutions at WPP Media & Chair of the IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Committee
• Mara Negri, CEO, European Broadcaster Exchange (EBX) and VP Marketing & Business Development, Publieurope

Watch the session recording here.

Panel 2 - Omnichannel Programmatic: Growth in Retail Media, CTV, DOOH, and Audio

Moderator: Dory Tse, Senior Manager, Sales, Rakuten Advertising

Speakers:

• Charlie Brookes, Director of Digital, Bauer Media Audio UK
• Ralf Ollig, Vice President Product, Sportradar
• Tom Peruzzi, Spokesperson of the management board, Virtual Minds

Watch the session recording here.

Panel 3 - How to Win with Curation

Moderator: Marie-Clare Puffett, Industry Development & Insights Director, IAB Europe

Speakers:

• Filippo Gramigna, co-CEO, Onetag
• Frank Schofield, Director, Enterprise Sales & Commerce Media, EMEA at Magnite
• Sarah Botherway, Director, Marketplace Operations, Index Exchange
• Stefanie Briec, Sr Dir. Demand Sales, Comcast Advertising
• Matthew Adams, Regional Vice President, Media & Ad Tech, Microsoft Advertising

Watch the session recording here.

Panel 4 - How is Attention Measured and When is it Relevant?

Moderator: Chloe Nicholls, Head of Ad Tech,IAB UK

Speakers:

• Anya Libova, Senior Director of Publisher Sales, DoubleVerify
• Lucy Wallace, Head of Programmatic, Publicis Next
• Lauren Dick, Managing Director, Media & Commerce, Mail Metro Media

Watch the session recording here.

Each session brought fresh insight into key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping our industry. Moderators ensured a dynamic flow of conversation, while speakers provided actionable takeaways for brands, agencies, publishers, and tech partners alike.

A Growing Platform for a Growing Industry

The Virtual Programmatic Day has grown into a cornerstone event in IAB Europe’s calendar, and for good reason. As the programmatic landscape evolves, it’s never been more critical to create space for open dialogue and cross-market collaboration. VPD provides just that: a platform for pan-European knowledge-sharing and networking, accessible to everyone in the ecosystem, whether attending in person or joining virtually. This edition brought together hundreds of virtual attendees alongside a vibrant in-person audience. The hybrid format not only broadened access but also enriched the experience with deeper, more meaningful interactions.

Wrapping Up And Raising a Glass

As the final panel wrapped up, the in-person attendees stayed on for an informal drinks reception, continuing the networking in true London style.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended. Whether you joined us live online or were with us on-site. A special thank you to all of our incredible speakers and moderators who made the afternoon so impactful.

And of course, we are especially grateful to Rakuten Advertising for being such welcoming and generous hosts. From the stunning venue to the thoughtful touches throughout the day, your support helped make this event truly memorable.

Catch Up on the Highlights

If you missed the event or want to rewatch your favourite sessions, you’re in luck! A full recording of the event is now available, from the four panel sessions.