Brussels 2009

A packed IAB Global Summit tackling crucial images from training to economics AdEx press conference attended by 20 European media seeing the results for the first time Invigorating Working Groups hosted by our excellent national IAB and corporate members, including Public Affairs, Advertising - Behavioural, Mobile, Display and Performance-based A fascinating (and over-subscribed) public affairs roundtable with Robert Madelin, European Commissions Director General for Health & Consumers The full picture on the AdEx 2008 results presented by our research partners PricewaterhouseCoopers - another packed event A networking dinner at the lovely Dominican Hotel followed by a very late night for some of our delegates!

We had excellent presentations from our Keynote speakers with Phillip Schindler of Google kicking off the session and Alban Martin from Orange sharing their visions Our first panel discussions followed - Simon Waldman chaired the discussion on ‘Making Integration Win’ with fascinating views from the panellists and then Guy Phillipson of IAB UK chaired the lively and thought-provoking ‘Spending Shifts’ panel. Both discussions continued by the delegates over the coffee break. Our keynote speaker from CNN International/Turner Didier Mormesse discussed his view of the current state of play based on audience research. After a typical Belgian lunch and more lively debate, delegates were treated to a session from John Mangelaars of Microsoft on his perspective of the industry today and where it’s going. This was followed by two further panels on ‘Long Tail, Short Tail’ chaired by Michael Nutley of New Media Age and ‘Winning business in emerging markets’ chaired by Thomas Duhr of United Internet Media. Chris Clarke of agency LBi rounded off the day with a light-hearted look at creativity and some brilliant videos and Alain Heureux, President of IAB Europe closed the session by telling everyone where the drinks were! Delegates enjoyed a lovely evening meal and finished off the evening drinking and dancing in the Belga Queen restaurant and bar, one of Brussels’ trendiest night spots.

On day three we had two sessions running concurrently. The MIA Project group session, discussing the findings of the research project into Internet audience measurement and other important measurement issues. The ability to make online advertising accountable is a topic that came up frequently throughout the event and so it was great to have this session at the end of the Congress. Running concurrently was the mini Research Showcase on Social Media.