It’s just a couple of days until DMEXCO 2026 kicks off in Cologne, and VideoWeek is proud to be partnering with the event once more.
Where to find VideoWeek
We’ll be on-site at the Koelnmesse covering both days of the conference, filming interviews outside the press hall and across the exhibition halls. You’ll be able to catch our Editor-in-Chief Vincent Flood moderating a panel early on Thursday looking at how digital advertising actually works today (more on that below).
On Wednesday evening, we’ll be hosting VideoWeek Cologne, a video and CTV networking dinner in the famous traditional brewhouse Früh am Dom. It’ll be the perfect place to relax and unwind after the first day of the event, bringing together leading players in video and CTV advertising. We’re very proud this year to be partnering with Publica, Teads, Ocient, UpTalk TV, and Virtual Minds for VideoWeek Cologne and our coverage of this year’s DMEXCO.
We’ll also be launching the physical edition of our CTV Advertising Guide Europe 2027 at the event, so you’ll be able to pick up a copy from the trade press stands dotted around the venue. This year’s guide includes a feature interview with Lisa Rousseau, Head of Prime Video Advertising and Freevee EU, as well as insights from Disney, Channel Four, Heineken, Ad Alliance, Google Ad Manager, Teads, Netflix, Epsilon, Emarketer, ITV Ads, WPP Media, TiVo Ads, Smartly, IAB Europe, and more.
Scaling Intelligence
As always, DMEXCO will feature two packed days of content on the various stages around the Koelnmesse, as well as a variety of showcases and exhibitions across the trade halls.
Speakers confirmed for this year’s event include Dan Taylor (Vice President, Global Ads, Google), Dave Duggan (Head of Global Ads Solutions, OpenAI), Benedict Evans (independent analyst), Susanne Aigner (Head of Advertising Germany, Netflix), Claudia Willvonseder (Member of the International Executive Board, Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG), Boris Dolkhani (CMO, Robert Bosch GmbH), Lisa Eller (VP Advertising, DAZN DACH GmbH), Ulrich Klenke (Chief Brand Officer, Deutsche Telekom), and Sir Martin Sorrell (Founder & Executive Chairman, S4 Capital / Monks).
This year’s motto is ‘Scaling Intelligence’, designed to signal the need for a shift from experimentation around AI towards tangible operational impact. Despite all the talk and testing across the industry, PwC’s latest global CEO survey found that only 12 percent of companies worldwide are achieving higher revenues and lower costs through the use of AI. In Germany, that figure is just two percent.
Now DMEXCO says it’s time for AI to prove itself in practice, and demonstrate its ability to contribute towards real business success. ‘Scaling’ in this context means embedding AI in organisations in ways which extend beyond individual use cases — something which requires clear governance, robust underlying data, and processes that span all areas of a business.
DMEXCO is also bringing its summits back for a third consecutive year, bringing together senior decision makers to discuss key challenges and opportunities across a range of topics. This year’s summits include the Thought Leaders’ Summit, CMO Summit, AdTech Summit, Agencies Summit, and Creators’ Summit.
CTV @ DMEXCO 26
Connected TV and video advertising will once again feature heavily in conversations across the Koelnmesse. Here are some of the CTV and video highlights from this year’s programme:
The 2027 Playbook: How Smart Brands Connect TV, Retail Media and Amazon for Real Commerce Results
The brands that win market share in 2027 won’t just have bigger budgets. They’ll have a smarter strategy. One that connects TV and brand spend to real, measurable e-commerce results across Retail Media and Amazon. Sascha Jansen, expert in brand media and offline channels, and Benjamin Weyrich, Ecommerce strategist, will show how leading brands connect these channels, measure their impact, and turn media investments into real business results through Connected Commerce. Get a clear, actionable playbook to walk into 2027 fully prepared, focused on the right things and ready to grow! With:
– Sascha Jansen, Senior Principal Strategy, Front Row
– Claas Hartmann, Director Performance Marketing – Media Strategy, Front Row Europe
September 23rd, 12:15pm, MC8A
Redefining the Screen: Samsung’s Vision for the Future of TV Advertising
TV is changing. But are we still thinking about it in the right way? The world of TV advertising is no longer defined by linear TV. As viewing moves across streaming, CTV, and connected experiences, the traditional boundaries — and silos — are breaking down. What emerges is something bigger: a new TV ecosystem, powered by richer data and new opportunities to reach audiences on the biggest screen in the home. With:
– Christian Russ, Commercial Director DACH & FRITES, Samsung Ads
September 23rd, 2:50pm, Center Stage
Retail Media in Video: How DocMorris & Havas Market Revolutionize YouTube Campaigns with First-Party Data
Retail Media is evolving rapidly. However, demanding technical hurdles and strict regulatory guidelines – especially in sensitive industries like the healthcare sector – often limit its full utilisation. Previously, the optimal interplay between Retail Media data and YouTube required an extremely precise alignment of the underlying data and identity layers. For brands and agencies, this posed a significant challenge for data-driven audience targeting in the video space. With:
– Jannette Flores, Industry Manager Health & Nutrition, Google
– Alissa Schipper, Senior Industry Manager Agencies & Partners, Google
– Roxanne van Duijn, Retail Media Business Lead Germany, Google
– Jan Altmeyer, Chief Transformation Officer, Havas Media Germany
– Dennis Trost, Head of Commercial Partnerships, dmr Advertising
September 23rd, 3:00pm, Google Masterclasses
Beyond the TV: How Heineken & Teads Mastered CTV HomeScreen to Drive Brand Lift
Ready to unlock the most high-attention ad space on the TV? Join Teads and Heineken as they share exclusive data from their global learning agenda, revealing exactly how to build creatives that win on the CTV HomeScreen. Moving past industry assumptions, they’ll break down the specific rules of layout, video length, and motion that drive real brand growth. With:
– Marc Zander, Chief Client Officer, Teads
– Juliana Magalhães Rocha, Global Media Lead, Heineken
September 23rd, 3:15pm, MC6B
From Social Media to Mass Market: How More Nutrition Scales with TV & Premium Video
Known for its functional food products, More Nutrition built its brand through social media. Around a year ago, the company took the next step in its growth journey by expanding its media strategy to include TV and premium video.
In this interview, Patrycja Nowakowska, General Manager of More Nutrition, shares the brand’s experience through the lens of a recent product launch. Find out how big screen media can drive impact across the marketing funnel – from awareness and consideration to purchase-related metrics. With:
– Andreas Hamdorf, Lead Strategic Partner Management, esome advertising technologies
– Marvin Hanisch, Senior Media Strategist, Jung von Matt IMPACT GmbH
September 23rd, 3:40am, Future TV Stage
Match Point: How L’Oréal LUXE Brands Score Big with Live Sports on Prime Video
When L’Oréal LUXE stepped onto the Live Sports stage on Prime Video, they brought their A-game. From Armani Beauty’s sponsorship at Wimbledon to YSL Beauty and Prada Beauty’s ad spots at the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals to Ralph Lauren Fragrances’ NBA sponsorship, L’Oréal LUXE has been consistently building visibility and expanding their brand presence across live sports on Prime Video.
In this masterclass, Amazon Ads and L’Oréal LUXE take you behind the scenes: what drew them to Live Sports on Prime Video, how they activated across three major tournaments, and what the results mean for the future of premium brand advertising on streaming. With:
– Özge Uz, Principal Client Lead, Beauty, Amazon Ads
– Ekaterina Kozina, Consumer Engagement Director, L’Oreal Luxe DACH
September 23rd, 4:00pm, MC6A
Streaming TV’s Next Act
From changing infrastructure to the rise of live sports and events, Streaming TV is entering a new era. This conversation between Robert Blanck from Media Impact and Andrew Casale from Index Exchange will explore where the industry is headed, the standards shaping its growth, and the opportunities ahead for publishers, advertisers, and platforms alike. With:
– Andrew Casale, President & CEO, Index Exchange
– Robert Blanck, Chief Product Officer, Media Impact
September 23rd, 4:40am, Tech Stage
The €131 Billion Question: What’s Driving Digital Advertising Growth?
Join Dr. Daniel Knapp, Chief Economist at IAB Europe, for an expert analysis of the latest findings from the AdEx Benchmark Report, the definitive study of digital advertising expenditure across 30 European markets.
Now in its 20th edition, the report reveals a European digital advertising market worth more than €131 billion. But what is driving that growth, and what do the headline figures tell us about where the market is heading next? Drawing on the latest data, Daniel will explore the markets, channels and formats gaining momentum, from the continued rise of video and social to the growing influence of Retail Media. He will also consider the wider economic and structural factors influencing investment across Europe. With:
– Dr. Daniel Knapp, Chief Economist, IAB Europe
September 24th, 10:00am, Media Stage
Inside Modern Adtech: How Digital Advertising Actually Works Today
AI, new identity frameworks, evolving measurement models, and the rise of connected TV are reshaping the fundamentals of digital advertising. This session offers a clear overview of the technologies, platforms, and business models currently defining the adtech market—and highlights where the industry is undergoing structural change. With:
– Senga Powers, Senior Director, Customer Success, DACH, Adform
– Daniel Volož, Managing Director DACH, RTB House GmbH
– Florian Jacquier, VP Data, CX and Marketing Operations, Nestlé
– Matthias Cada, Chief Data & Tech Officer, Omnicom Media Germany
– Vincent Flood, Editor-in-Chief, VideoWeek
September 24th, 10:20am, Tech Stage
Pay-Only Is Dead – The Future of Streaming Is Hybrid
For years, subscription-only models were considered the gold standard of streaming. But rising prices, limited audience scale, and increasing competitive pressure are exposing the natural limits of growth. The next evolution of streaming is hybrid.
In this session, we explore why freemium is emerging as a strategic growth driver, how streaming platforms can expand their reach without jeopardizing premium subscription revenues, and why the future of streaming is no longer about “Free or Pay” but “Free and Pay.” With:
– Lisa Eller, VP Advertising, DAZN DACH GmbH
September 24th, 11:35am, Media Stage
Every Millisecond Counts: Turning Live Sports Moments into Media Value
When millions tune in at the same moment, there are no second chances. Drawing on the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience with MagentaTV, Deutsche Telekom and Equativ reveal how advertising technology, addressability and server-side ad insertion can turn massive live audiences into relevant, seamless and scalable media opportunities without compromising the fan experience. With:
– James Grant, SVP, Advanced Television, Equativ
– Dr. Jörg Richartz, VP Sales & Marketing, MagentaTV
September 24th, 12:15pm, Media Stage
BVDW meets EPTVI: Elevating CTV Advertising with Advanced Content Signals
Connected TV (CTV) combines the high-impact quality of traditional television with the precision of digital targeting. However, as inventory surges, advertisers still face a critical challenge: what is the actual content context of their campaigns? A lack of standardized content signals in the OpenRTB bidstream currently limits the medium’s full potential.
In this Masterclass hosted by the BVDW CTV Lab, you will discover why granular content data—such as genres, show IDs, and live-stream indicators—is crucial for brand safety and contextual targeting, measurement and analysis. With:
– Elisa Schwuchow, Co-Founder, SceneContext
– Andreas Hamdorf, Lead Strategic Partner Management, esome advertising technologies
– Anna Kirschner, Group Manager Ad Tech & Programmatic, Visoon Video Impact
– Ian Maude, Executive Director, The Project X Initiative
– Andreas Billker, Senior Marketing Manager Pringles & Cheez-It, Kellogg Deutschland
September 24th, 2:30pm, BVDW Masterclasses
Glance builds a video strategy from scratch — and grows YoY run rate by 7 figures
We’ll walk through how EX.CO and Glance built a video strategy from the ground up, pairing a content marketplace (to supply contextually matched video) with a machine learning-driven yield engine (to optimise revenue automatically). The partnership went from launch to full velocity in under five months and created a durable revenue line that simply didn’t exist before. With:
– Ruth Manielevitch, VP International Revenue, EX.CO
– Bharat K Pattem, Manager, Programmatic Monetisation, Glance
September 24th, 3:15pm, MC6B
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