Melbourne’s annual Ad Tech & Ops Summit is back on Tuesday 2nd June, 2026. This annual event (which has now been running for 12 years!) will cover current key topics critical to our industry from both a local and global perspective impacting those working in product, technical, commercial, programmatic and operational roles.
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| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 12pm – 1pm | Registration & Networking | |
| 1pm – 1.40pm | Industry Updates & AAMP Roadmap | Jonas Jaanimagi, Technology Lead – IAB Australia |
| 1.40pm – 2.10pm | Pleasurable Friction and the Future of AI | Keaton Garnett, APAC Senior Solutions Architect – Criteo |
| 2.10pm – 2.50pm | The Future of Buy and Sell Connections: More Direct, Agentic, and Performant |
Aimen Khan, AU/NZ Exchange Platforms Agency Lead – Google (moderator) Daniella Kenney, Head of Programmatic – Foxtel Media Ryan Hedditch, GM, Commercial Video, Audio and Branded Content – News Corp Tracey Heong, Head of Programmatic and Platform Investment – Havas Media Josie Merrifield, Head of AI Acceleration – Spark Foundry James Betlehem, Head of Supply – WPP Media |
| 3.20pm – 4.00pm | Uncovering Modern Media Challenges & Leading Through Industry Transformation |
Paul Grainger, ANZ Product Lead – Shirofune Mark Coad, Former CEO – IPG Mediabrands Gai Le Roy, CEO – IAB Australia (moderator) |
| 4.00pm – 4.45pm | Navigating the Current Talent Shift & Evolving Workforce Strategies in the Age of AI |
Poppy Hill, ANZ Senior Vice President – Strike Social Rachel Page, Melbourne MD – OMD Australia Alfie Lagos, MD & Founder – Lexlab Shivangi Singal, Head of Engineering, RCA & Media – REA Group Gai Le Roy, CEO – IAB Australia (moderator) |
| 4.45pm – 4.50pm | Closing | Archanah Lingam, Sellside Monetisation Strategic Partner Manager – Google |
| 4.50pm – 6pm | Networking |
Ticket Pricing
• IAB Australia Members: Complimentary (2 free tickets per member organisation)
• Additional Member Tickets: $125.00
• General Admission: $225.00
• Agencies & Advertisers: Complimentary
• Community Access: Complimentary — limited free tickets for digital ad professionals between roles or seeking work.