The annual IAB Australia AdTech & Ops Summit returned to Melbourne with a sold-out event, gathering together over 220 industry experts. Sponsored by Shirofune and Google, the summit brought together professionals across product, technical, commercial, programmatic, and operational roles to tackle the most critical topics shaping the digital advertising landscape today. From local challenges to global perspectives, the afternoon provided an engaging mix of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to help the industry navigate a period of rapid technological transformation.
The afternoon’s agenda was curated to shine a light on the integration of AI and the evolution of programmatic strategies. The day kicked off with some industry updates and an introduction to the IAB Tech Lab’s Agentic Advertising Protocols. This set the stage for Criteo’s Keaton Garnett to explore ‘Pleasurable Friction’ and the Future of AI, which included a successful live AI co-presenter. As the afternoon progressed, a robust panel of media and tech leaders discussed how buy and sell connections are becoming more direct, agentic, and performant. The conversation later zoomed out to broader industry shifts, with former IPG Mediabrands CEO Mark Coad alongside other executives uncovering the modern media challenges companies face and how to lead effectively through them.
Beyond the technical advancements, the summit heavily emphasised the human element of the digital advertising ecosystem. An insightful panel featuring leaders from OMD, Lexlab, and REA Group delved into evolving workforce strategies, offering actionable guidance on navigating current talent shifts in an increasingly AI-driven age.
Following these deep-dive discussions, Google’s Sellside Monetisation Strategic Partner Manager, Archanah Lingam, delivered the closing remarks to tie the day’s valuable insights together. The successful summit then officially concluded, transitioning to a lively post-event networking session where attendees shared drinks and nibbles while continuing the conversation in Southbank.
Who Attended
2026 Program
| Session | Speakers |
|---|---|
| Registration & Networking (including a light lunch) | |
| Key Industry Updates & Agentic Advertising Protocols Overview | Jonas Jaanimagi, Technology Lead – IAB Australia |
| Pleasurable Friction and the Future of AI | Keaton Garnett, APAC Senior Solutions Architect – Criteo |
| The Future of Buy and Sell Connections: More Direct, Agentic, and Performant |
Aimen Khan, AU/NZ Exchange Platforms Agency Lead – Google Daniella Kenney, Head of Programmatic – Foxtel Media Justin Orchard, Head of Ad Tech and Performance Media – News Australia 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 |
| Uncovering Modern Media Challenges & Leading Through Industry Transformation |
Mark Coad, Former CEO – IPG Mediabrands Paul Grainger, ANZ Product Lead – Shirofune Gai Le Roy, CEO – IAB Australia |
| Navigating the Current Talent Shift & Evolving Workforce Strategies in the Age of AI |
Rachel Page, Melbourne MD – OMD Australia Alfie Lagos, MD & Founder – Lexlab Shivangi Singal, Head of Engineering – REA Group Poppy Hill, ANZ Senior Vice President – Strike Social Gai Le Roy, CEO – IAB Australia |
| Closing Remarks | Archanah Lingam, Sellside Monetisation Strategic Partner Manager – Google |
| Networking Drinks & Nibbles | At PwC and also at a local establishment nearby |
Photo Gallery
View photos from the day in our full gallery.
AdTech & Ops Summit 2026 – Melbourne
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Resources from the Day
Presentation slides from the 2026 Ad Tech & Ops Summit are available to download below.
Pleasurable Friction and the Future of AI
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The Future of Buy and Sell Connections: More Direct, Agentic, and Performant
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Uncovering Modern Media Challenges & Leading Through Industry Transformation
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Navigating the Current Talent Shift & Evolving Workforce Strategies in the Age of AI
View Report
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The AdTech & Ops Summit 2026 was proudly sponsored by:
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