It only took two hours for #adtech16 to start trending in Toronto on Tuesday morning, demonstrating just how engaged the audience of advertisers, media agencies, vendors and brands had become in sharing highlights from Marketing‘s first conference of the year.
Our EIC @shaneschick kicks off #AdTech16. Excited for a great morning! pic.twitter.com/CLeeSZ0cTb
— Marketing Magazine (@Marketing_Mag) March 29, 2016
We'll be tweeting from @Marketing_Mag's #AdTech16 conference this morning in #Toronto. The excitement is palpable! pic.twitter.com/otnMQL34o0
— The Exchange Lab (@exchangelab) March 29, 2016
Our opening panel looked at the Internet of Things (IoT), where speakers suggested marketers should not only find their way onto more connected devices, but ensure they have the back-end data to bring the context they need.
Marketers need to personalize the click through experience #IOT @marketing_mag #adtech16 pic.twitter.com/DKFp6O4EiN
— Kimberley Carrera (@KCarrera_) March 29, 2016
Marketers should think about targeting consumers via #IOT in 1-1 and personalized way – @MrDevonWright @marketing_mag #adtech16
— Jed Schneiderman (@jedschneiderman) March 29, 2016
Things got even more interesting when 30 Under 30 alumna Diana Lucaci presented examples of her research that explored the neuroscience behind consumer attitudes and behaviour towards online ads. Suffice it to say, the audience was impressed.
Mind blown by this keynote on Neuro-marketing #adtech16 @Marketing_Mag pic.twitter.com/CNX3UE80Oj
— Josh Rosen (@joshrosen19) March 29, 2016
"Humanize your customer & find ways to create ads that add value to their lives" says @dianalucaci #adtech16
— ACA (@ACA_tweets) March 29, 2016
If there were any tense moments, they came during our ad-blocking debate, where guests from PageFair and TubeMogul squared off with Adblock Plus, whose speaker was brought into the conversation via a long-distance Skype call.
At marketing mag conf – Adblock plus guy wisely skyping in to avoid being pelted by tomatoes #adtech16 pic.twitter.com/8GFZfVrf79
— Ian Hewetson (@ianhew) March 29, 2016
Though there wasn’t necessarily a “winner” in this debate, the one thing everyone agreed on is that quality creative can sustain consumer trust.
Field of dreams: build better ads for consumers #adblockingpanel #adtech16
— AOL Canada (@aolca) March 29, 2016
No Ad Blocking = Great Storytelling + Great Content + Great Experience https://t.co/bF6ucsMmUF #AdTech16
— Michael Chase (@chasethisnow) March 29, 2016
Such an awesome session on ad blocking today at @Marketing_Mag's event. Blocking ad blocking users discards REAL PEOPLE WITH ATTENTION! #wow
— Ben J. Abbey (@programmabbey) March 29, 2016
We ended the day with a keynote from AOL Canada on the current state of programmatic advertising, followed by a panel discussion on the rise of private marketplaces. There were still some surprises in store . . .
If you're not at #adtech16 you're missing @aolca's John Erhart wearing a Darth Vader tee & singing Gin & Juice. pic.twitter.com/5XuE1pM7pl
— Marketing Magazine (@Marketing_Mag) March 29, 2016
Even those from the outside found value in the conversation.
Really enjoying following the feed for #AdTech16 today. Thanks to @Marketing_Mag for setting it up! It's incredibly interesting!
— Cheil Canada (@CheilCanada) March 29, 2016
Get an even deeper dive by looking at the AdTech Canada 2016 conference highlights in The Marketing Debrief.
