First speakers for IAB Digital Summit announced, as tickets open

Guy Phillipson

Lingham, co-founder of the Silicon Cape Initiative, who founded web development platform Yola in 2007, and e-gift card service Gyft in 2012, will be sharing with attendees his thoughts on digital privacy and security.

Phillipson, who took over as IAB UK CEO in 2005, will share the story of how the IAB UK managed to overcome market challenges and make digital the largest media spend in the UK today. During his first year, online advertising revenues overtook radio, consumer magazines and then outdoor to become a truly mainstream medium.

"In just two years the Internet will become the number one medium by ad spend in 12 key global markets. It has been the biggest medium in the UK since 2011 and still booming on the back of mobile, video, native and programmatic. However, rapid growth is accompanied by big challenges, which we all share - especially around ad verification and ad blocking. So I'm delighted to be asked to speak at the IAB Digital Summit in Johannesburg in March, having some stimulating conversations, and helping to drive the market forward in South Africa," says Phillipson.

Vinny Lingham

The summit will focus on some of the most important topics relating to the current digital landscape, including native advertising, ad blocking, diversity and transformation in SA media, measurement and media planning, and the possible effects of impending legislation.

The Bookmark Awards, which will follow the IAB Digital Summit, attracted a record number of entries and promises to be a competitive showcase of the best in local digital marketing. The awards are now in their eighth year and this year has a number of revised categories and sub-categories, which were updated to reflect industry developments.

"Given the quality of both the speakers for the IAB Digital Summit and the entries to the Bookmarks, this year's events are bound to be the most successful yet," says Josephine Buys, CEO of IAB SA. "As the digital industry in South Africa continues to grow and evolve, it is important that as marketing professionals, we continue to learn and think in new and innovative ways. With topics such as digital entrepreneurship, online marketing, mobile marketing, the changing media landscape, and much more being covered, the summit will be of value to anyone active in the digital marketing industry."

Ticket prices for the IAB Digital Summit start from R 1690, and from R 1090 for the Bookmark Awards. Bookings can be made on www.iabsa.net/digitalsummit.