“The digital advertising industry is evolving faster than ever, and at IAB we’re not reacting to change, we’re driving it,” said Goldstein. “These strategic IAB Center of Excellence hires are a clear investment in the future of digital advertising with a sharp focus on AI, commerce media, the creator economy, streaming video/CTV, and measurement. We are equipping our members to drive innovation, not just respond to it.”

New Leadership to Spearhead Core Initiatives

The organization welcomes three new senior executives with deep expertise across AI, commerce/retail media, and digital media strategy.

Collin Colburn, Vice President, Commerce, leads the IAB Commerce Board and related initiatives within the broader commerce landscape, including retail media. With prior roles at Forrester and Horizon Media’s commerce agency, Night Market, Colburn is focused on supporting the growing commerce media ecosystem, defining incrementality, and navigating the convergence of the store and monetization strategies. By defining industry standards that support transparent, accountable, and adaptable commerce practices, Colburn aims to promote consistent frameworks to improve operational efficiency and help advertisers use media more effectively in today’s digital marketplace. He will also spearhead IAB’s annual Connected Commerce Summit, in NYC on September 9, 2025.

“IAB is at the forefront of advancing the maturity of commerce media and focusing on driving consistent, transparent standards across the commerce landscape. It’s exciting to be part of an organization that’s not only shaping the conversation but also building the infrastructure for a more trustworthy and effective digital ecosystem,” added Colburn.

Jamie Finstein, Vice President, Media Center, brings over 15 years of digital strategy experience from WPP Media. She will drive advancement across CTV, digital video, audio, DOOH, and brand safety. In this role, Finstein will support the growth of video through data-driven standards, help resolve video measurement, and drive consistency across the marketplace and standardize video formats. She will also drive audio innovation by enhancing programmatic standards and VAST integration, support DOOH (DOOH) by addressing the space’s unique complexities, and strengthen brand safety by tackling AI-driven fraud. Additionally, Finstein will lead the IAB Audio and Video Boards, as well as key events including IAB Video Leadership Summit on July 14-15 and IAB Podcast Upfront (September 30) as well as IAB NewFronts.

“I’m excited to join IAB at a time when the industry is evolving rapidly and the demand for advancements in standardization is growing,” said Finstein. “There is a real opportunity to drive meaningful progress – bringing greater consistency, transparency, and innovation to how we create, measure, and improve digital experiences. I look forward to working with our members and partners to drive innovation and build a more unified digital ecosystem.”

The IAB Media Center also includes Jason Adamski and Matt Shapo as Directors. Adamski joins IAB after leading media strategy at Ferrero as North American Media Manager, with prior senior media positions at PepsiCo, Accenture, MediaVest, Mullen, and Boston Beer Company. In his role with the IAB Media Center, Adamski oversees video and digital out of home (DOOH), focusing on standardizing DOOH planning and buying practices, enhancing measurement models, and proving its effectiveness across the full purchase funnel to elevate DOOH as a key part of omnichannel media plans.

A passionate advocate for audio’s powerful role in omnichannel advertising campaigns, Shapo leads education and research initiatives, advocating for audio’s unique strengths and promoting collaboration among publishers, tech providers, content creators, and brands to support sustainable, ad-supported media. He also leads the IAB’s Ecosystem Health Initiative, which elevates the value of news-related content and focuses on advancing contextual targeting across all media genres as well as supporting the growth of publishers and the open web.

Caroline Giegerich, Vice President, AI, previously announced, will lead IAB’s AI roadmap by developing tools, resources, and standards that support the responsible and effective use of AI across all corners of the digital advertising industry. With over twenty years of experience in marketing, innovation, and emerging technology, she has held senior roles at HBO, Warner Music Group, MediaLink, and Smashbox Cosmetics.

“AI is reshaping every aspect of digital advertising, and the industry needs clear guidance to move forward with confidence,” added Giegerich. “IAB is focused on delivering actionable frameworks, best practices, and scalable tools that ensure AI is used responsibly and effectively. As I take on this role, I am eager to help our members understand AI is not just about innovation—it’s about building a foundation the entire ecosystem can trust and build on.”

“This reorganization represents a pivotal step in ensuring IAB continues to deliver best-in-class leadership, resources, and insights to help our members navigate the rapidly evolving media and marketing landscape,” concluded Gabilan. “Collin, Jamie, and Caroline, are on the bleeding edge of their respective fields and will provide our members with the perspective they need to thrive in a changing advertising ecosystem.”

Additionally, Angelina Eng has been promoted to Vice President, Measurement, Addressability & Data (MAD) Center and CoE Operations. She will continue to oversee the MAD Center, while also coordinating operations across all IAB Centers of Excellence to streamline processes and boost collaboration. Eng will also lead the IAB Measurement Leadership Summit on July 15-16.

As part of IAB’s Centers of Excellence leadership, Zoe Soon, Vice President of the IAB Experience Center, is also expanding her remit to lead the newly established Creator Economy Board and oversee all creator economy and gaming initiatives, including IAB PlayFronts. And Matthew Renne, Vice President of the Professional Development and Education Center (PDEC), plays a key role in equipping digital marketing and media professionals with industry-driven training and resources to foster growth, adaptability, and long-term success in today’s workplace.

About IAB

The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and collaboration of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Kate Dougherty / Brittany Tibaldi
551-265-2825 / 516-974-2216
kdougherty@kcsa.com /btibaldi@kcsa.com

The post IAB Updates Centers of Excellence and Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Industry Innovation appeared first on IAB.

Today, Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the digital media and marketing trade association, released the fifth edition of its long-running economic research series, Measuring the Digital Economy: Advertising, Content, Commerce, and Innovation, led by John Deighton, Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration Emeritus, Harvard Business School.

The quadrennial study, first published in 2008, tracks the economic impact of the internet on America. This year’s headline: the Digital Economy has doubled since 2020, reaching $4.9 trillion. That’s 18% of U.S. GDP.

It’s also driving employment at a rapid clip. Internet-related jobs are growing 12 times faster than the broader labor market. Since 2020, the Digital Economy has expanded at 19% annually, while the total U.S. economy grew at 7%.

A National Job Growth Engine, 28.4 Million Strong

Back in 2008, internet-driven employment made up just 3 million jobs. Today, that number has grown to more than 28.4 million.

Of those, 11.2 million are directly tied to digital economy work. Another 17.2 million are found in industries that rely on digital infrastructure—education, entertainment, banking, retail, public services, and more.

Creators Are Driving the Fastest Growth

Digital creators and social media influencers — who generate content and build audiences for a living — now account for more than one in 10 full-time internet-dependent jobs in the U.S.

Today, the full-time equivalent of more than 1.5 million Americans work as digital creators — a number that has multiplied nearly eightfold since 2020. While the traditional media sector is expanding at roughly 5% annually, the creator sector is now growing at five times that pace.

“The creator economy has clearly become a major factor in the digital growth story, driving spend, engagement, culture, and of course, employment,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. “The impact is felt across the ecosystem, shifting the way that we think about information, entertainment, commerce, and community. In some ways, it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more that creators succeed, the stronger the platforms they use become,” said Cohen.

A Digital Footprint in Every District

Digital employment has reached all 435 congressional districts. Silicon Valley and the other top 10 Congressional Districts may have higher concentrations of Internet-dependent employment, but they account for only about one-eighth of all U.S. digital economy jobs. This isn’t just a coastal or urban story — digital work is happening in cities, suburbs, and small towns across the country.

“The Digital Economy has become a foundational part of American GDP,” said Cohen. “And the exponential effects of generative and agentic AI are just beginning. Now is the moment for policymakers and regulators to understand the scale of this shift and ensure the foundation and infrastructure are in place to keep driving innovation forward.”

To help advance that understanding, IAB will host a Capitol Hill briefing on June 26 in Washington, D.C., focused on how digital policy can support continued job growth and extend the benefits of the internet economy to more communities nationwide.

A Broader Base of Economic Opportunity

The Digital Economy isn’t confined to the largest players. It includes everyone from Fortune 10 companies to independent creators building businesses on their own terms.

“The reach and infrastructure created by e-commerce platforms and integrated firms have enabled a self-sustaining, democratized economy,” said Deighton. “Whether it’s a solopreneur or a large enterprise, the opportunity is real and growing.”

Where Growth Is Coming From

Nearly 70% of digital job growth is concentrated in four key segments:

• Digital creators building businesses through content and community
• Platform workers using services like DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, and Airbnb
• Online merchants growing their businesses through e-commerce marketplaces
• Integrated firms like Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft operating across infrastructure, services, and consumer tools

Access the Full Report

About the Study

This is the fifth edition of IAB’s economic research series, produced about every four years. It is authored by John Deighton, Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration Emeritus, Harvard Business School, and Principal Research Consultant Leora Kornfeld.

The report analyzes the size, structure, and impact of the Digital Economy in the United States, spanning advertising, content, commerce, and infrastructure.

About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and collaboration of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts
Brittany Tibaldi / Michael Vaughan
347-487-6794 / 813-210-1706
btibaldi@kcsa.com / mvaughan@kcsa.com

The post IAB Research: Digital Economy Surges to $4.9 Trillion, Fuels 28.4 Million U.S. Jobs Across All 435 Congressional Districts appeared first on IAB.

Due to Industry Demand, IAB Connected Commerce Summit Returns bigger than ever with a Two-Day Event Experience Addressing the Rise of Retail Media

NEW YORK, November 30, 2023 – The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the digital media and marketing trade association, today unveiled its 2024 thought leadership and marketplace events schedule. Aiming to excite, inspire, and motivate, the event lineup addresses key issues across marketing, AI, streaming, gaming, retail, and public policy, as well as responsible media and data use. 

“IAB’s mission is to gather the industry together, and provide insights and tools to help buyers, marketers, and the entire digital ecosystem navigate these shifts,” said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. “The only constant in the digital marketplace is change, and there is probably no time in recent memory where there has been so much in flux at one time. Opportunity and growth are born out of this dynamism, which is incredibly exciting.”

Overview of 2024 Tentpole Events

IAB ALM 2024: On January 28-30, the 2024 IAB Annual Leadership Meeting will gather digital pioneers and business leaders in Marco Island, Florida to discuss critical topics for the industry, and, with its returning theme “It Starts Here,” will set the agenda for the year to come. With nearly 100 speakers including more CMOs than ever before, attendees will hear from leading executives through keynotes, insightful panel discussions, and curated networking experiences covering the most important topics in the digital advertising space such as generative AI, responsible media, commerce, creativity, the evolution of streaming, and much more.

“ALM kicks off the year gathering leaders, thinkers, and builders to tackle the biggest industry issues from the creator economy, cookie deprecation, consumer privacy, policy regulation, and more,” added Cohen. “We also couldn’t have a conference without discussing the state of measurement. Returning to the ALM stage are the CEOs of Comscore, iSpot, Nielsen, and VideoAmp who will participate in the “Great Measurement Debate Part 2” to address measurement opportunities, challenges, and what we, as an industry, can do better to effectively measure campaign effectiveness.”

Some of this year’s featured speakers thus far include:

• Ime Archibong, Vice President, Product Management, Meta
• Bob Bakish, President and CEO, Paramount Global
• Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator (R-TN)
• Alysia Borsa, Chief Business Officer and President, Lifestyle, Dotdash Meredith
• Jen Brace, Chief Futurist, Ford
• Jon Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer, Comscore
• Jeffrey Cole, Director of the Center for the Digital Future, USC Annenberg School
• Stephanie Dobbs Brown, Chief Marketing Officer, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
• Esi Eggleston Bracey, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer – Effective January 1, 2024, Unilever
• Nancy Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Mindshare North America
• John Halley, President, Paramount Advertising
• Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer, McDonald’s USA
• Diana Haussling, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Consumer Experience & Growth, Chief Marketing Officer, Colgate-Palmolive
• Debora Kantt, Executive Director, Futurist, Strategic Foresight & Future Studies Lead, JP Morgan
• Jenna Lebel, Chief Marketing Officer, Liberty Mutual
• Ross McCray, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VideoAmp
• Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and Chief Washington Correspondent; Host, MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports”
• Sean Muller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, iSpot.tv
• Peter Naylor, Vice President, Advertising Sales, Netflix
• Katie Neil, Head of Connected Commerce Marketing and Investments, The Coca-Cola Company
• Amie Owen, Global Chief Commerce Officer, UM Worldwide
• Shelly Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, The Palmer Group
• Karthik Rao, Chief Executive Officer, Nielsen
• Jenny Rooney, Chief Experience Officer, Adweek
• Susan Schiekofer, Chief Digital Investment Officer, GroupM U.S.
• Jessica Sibley, Chief Executive Officer, TIME
• Resh Sidhu, Global Director Arcadia Creative Studio, Snap Inc
• Aaron Sorkin, Screenwriter, Playwright, and Director
• Jonathan Stringfield, Vice President, Global Business Research & Marketing, Activision Blizzard Media
• Jennie Weber, Chief Marketing Officer, Best Buy Co. Inc.

For the latest on ALM speakers, please visit: iab.com/alm 

Over the course of three days, attendees will hear discussions around critical issues including:

• Generative AI, the Creativity Revolution, and Ethical Crossroads in the Digital Economy
• Navigating the Convergence of Omni-Channel Experiences, Retail Media, Shoppable Ads, and Content
• Privacy in Practice: From Policy to Implementation
• The March Towards a ‘Streaming-First’ Future
• Ethical Pulse: Steering the Digital Industry Towards Responsible Media and Inclusive Best Practices
• A New Era of Creativity: Attention, Innovation, and Personalization

Full agenda can be accessed here: iab.com/alm 

“Attendees come to ALM to hear firsthand from brands and marketers on how they’re adapting to industry change and moving the needle for their companies to thrive in the digital advertising ecosystem,” said Carryl Pierre-Drews, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, IAB. “This year, we have more CMOs and marketing executives taking the stage at ALM, including Best Buy, Liberty Mutual, McDonald’s, Unilever, and more. In addition to the various sessions, IAB will host a CMO-centric breakfast addressing the critical role of marketers in leading AI efforts.” 

On January 29 at ALM, IAB will host with Adweek the Marketing Vanguard CMO breakfast, an invitation-only gathering of leading marketing executives plus their rising stars. They’ll meet to explore AI’s impact on advertising, marketing, and business strategy. Moderated by Jenny Rooney, Chief Experience Officer at Adweek, the panel discussion at the breakfast, titled “Steering the AI Ship: Exploring the CMO’s Role and Responsibility,” will dive into the CMO’s role in driving company-wide AI efforts, implementation, and usage that is customer-first, on-brand, and responsible.

IAB PlayFronts 2024, March 26-27, 2024, New York City, In-person & Virtual 

The third annual IAB PlayFronts makes its return bigger than ever before, taking place over two days in New York City as well as live-streamed. IAB PlayFronts is dedicated to showcasing advertising and partnership opportunities in the gaming industry. Leading game publishers, streaming platforms, and ad tech partners will demonstrate creative opportunities for brands in the gaming landscape, and present opportunities to elevate the effectiveness of gaming.

IAB Public Policy & Legal Summit 2024, April 2, 2024, Washington, D.C., In-person

With new regulations and state privacy laws taking effect, the digital media landscape is constantly evolving. Hear from experts to stay ahead of all the legal, policy, and technical challenges impacting businesses today. The annual IAB Public Policy & Legal Summit will bring together leaders in advertising, media, technology, and the government to address how to continue to build a sustainable consumer-centric media and marketing ecosystem.

IAB NewFronts 2024, April 29-May 2, 2024, New York City, In-person & Virtual 

IAB NewFronts hosts some of the biggest names in media and entertainment fostering valuable partnerships between brands and native digital video content. Across New York City and streamed virtually, IAB NewFronts is a one-stop shop for media buyers eager to get a first look at the latest digital video content and advertising solutions. For the second year in a row, IAB will have its stage again on Wednesday, May 1st to feature a selection of presenting companies. 

IAB Podcast Upfront 2024, May 9, 2024, New York City, In-person & Virtual

Following IAB NewFronts, IAB Podcast Upfront is designed for brands, agencies, and media buyers to preview the latest in innovative podcast programming. Join leading audio and podcast companies as they showcase the power of podcasts and announce brand new shows and content opportunities for advertisers to align with their brand. IAB Podcast Upfront will take place in New York City and be streamed virtually.

IAB Connected Commerce Summit 2024, September 17-18, New York City, In-person

Back by popular demand, and for two full days, IAB Connected Commerce Summit will dive into where the future of retail commerce is heading and how it could improve business operations. Attendees will hear from thought leaders in e-commerce and retail media about the most impactful strategies that will help brands stay ahead of the game. 

IAB Privacy Compliance Salon, September 22, 2024, Los Angeles, In-person

For the first time, IAB will host the Privacy Compliance Salon bringing together senior privacy leaders in the digital advertising industry for thought-provoking and practical discussions around today’s most challenging privacy compliance issues. Attendees will learn about managing sensitive personal information, the use of data clean rooms, and legal considerations in leveraging AI in marketing campaigns.

IAB State Privacy Law Summit 2024, November 2024, New York City, In-person 

With additional state privacy laws taking effect every year, the third IAB State Privacy Law Summit will convene privacy lawyers and cross-functional privacy professionals to make sense of the latest state privacy law changes. In particular, this event involves interactive deep-dive discussions between panelists and the audience and leverages data flows to give industry participants a clearer understanding of the industry’s challenges and provide pathways for compliance.

For more information and updates regarding IAB’s events, visit: www.iab.com/events. 

About IAB

The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and collaboration of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.

IAB Media Contacts

Brittany Tibaldi / Michael Vaughan

347-487-6794 / 813-210-1706

btibaldi@kcsa.com / mvaughan@kcsa.com

The post IAB Announces Robust ALM Speaker Lineup and Themes Addressing Evolving Digital Advertising Marketplace: Organization Also Unveils Events Schedule appeared first on IAB.