Agency Reporter’s Programmatic Asia Symposium- New Delhi 2024: A Resounding Success

On 21st June 2024, Agency Reporter’s Programmatic Asia Symposium, presented by The Trade Desk and powered by Lemma, concluded with resounding success. The event featured a stellar lineup of 20+ industry experts and drew over 250 industry peers who engaged in insightful discussions and networking. With the theme “Elevating Programmatic Growth with the Open Internet, AI, and Privacy,” the symposium brought together industry leaders, marketing experts, and digital pioneers to explore the transformative power of the Open Internet, the evolution of programmatic advertising, and the emerging role of AI. This made the symposium a landmark event in the industry.

The symposium commenced with a warm welcome from Rahul Puri, Founder & Editor of Agency Reporter. He set the stage, emphasising the event’s importance in shaping the future of digital advertising in India.

Keynote: The Rise of the Open Internet

The sessions then began with Tejinder Gill, General Manager of The Trade Desk, captivating the audience with a keynote on “The Rise of the Open Internet.” Through a compelling presentation, he illustrated the significance of the Open Internet in promoting accessibility, innovation, and transparency in the digital advertising ecosystem. He underscored how the Open Internet is poised to revolutionise the industry by promoting competition, enabling diverse targeting, and building trust with audiences.

Panel Discussion 1: Why Will the Open Internet Power the Future of Digital Advertising?

The first panel discussion, titled “Why Will the Open Internet Power the Future of Digital Advertising?” featured industry stalwarts such as Abhishek Mehta, Head of Marketing at Bagrry’s; Gaurav Soni, Head of Media at Perfetti Van Melle; Jasmeet Bedi, Head of Digital Marketing at Canara HSBC Life Insurance; and Abbhishek Chadha, EVP, North & East at Interactive Avenues. Moderated by Rahul Singh, Director of Business Development at The Trade Desk, the panel delved into the transformative potential of the Open Internet, supported by real-world case studies and insights.

Panel Discussion 2: Programmatic Evolution 2.0 and AI

Following this, the second panel discussion explored “Programmatic Evolution 2.0 and AI.” This session featured Akhil Sethi, Head of Digital Marketing at HARMAN India; Chandrahas Shetty, Head of Demand, India at Magnite; Anadi Sharma, General Manager of Marketing at Revolt Motors; and Prashant Nandan, Senior Vice President – APEX INDIA (Digital & Traditional Media) at PUBLICIS GROUPE. Moderated by Archana Aggarwal, Ex-VP Media at Airtel, the panel examined how AI is reshaping programmatic advertising, enhancing targeting, optimization, and personalization.

Panel Discussion 3: Programmatic Advertising and Measurement in the Omnichannel Landscape

The third panel discussion on “Programmatic Advertising and Measurement in the Omnichannel Landscape” brought together experts like Anupam Tripathi, Media Head at Lenskart; Nitin Guleria, DGM & Head of Media at Samsung Mobile; Anil Shankar, SVP at Starcom India; and Mugdha Thareja, Lead – Digital Marketing & Communications at Unicharm. Moderated by Prabhvir Sahmey, Senior Director – Ad Sales – India at Samsung Ads, the discussion focused on integrating programmatic advertising into omnichannel strategies, leveraging data insights for optimized targeting and attribution.

Panel Discussion 4: Winning in the Cookieless World with Programmatic Advertising

The symposium’s fourth panel discussion addressed the challenges and opportunities in a post-cookieless world. Titled “Winning in the Cookieless World with Programmatic Advertising,” the session featured Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation & Marketing Officer at Luminous Power Technologies; Karan Grover, Lead Director of Inventory Development at The Trade Desk; Tathagat Jena, Head of Marketing, DTC & Online Biz head – INDIA & APAC at HMD Global (The Home of Nokia Phones); and Rajiv Dubey, Senior General Manager, Head of Media at Dabur. Moderated by Suneil Chawla, Co-founder of Social Beat, the panel explored alternative identity solutions and strategies to maintain targeting precision without third-party cookies.

Solo Presentation: Trust & Transparency

Towards the end of the event, Nachiket Deole, Head of Sales, India at DoubleVerify, delivered an insightful solo presentation on trust and transparency in the digital advertising ecosystem. He tackled issues of brand safety, combating ad fraud, and verifying viewability, emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration in building a trustworthy Open Internet.

As the symposium drew to a close, attendees reflected on the day’s insights during a networking session accompanied by drinks. The event concluded leaving participants inspired and equipped with strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of digital advertising.

The Programmatic Asia Symposium 2024 successfully provided a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas and explore the future of digital advertising, setting the stage for continued innovation and growth in the region.