IAB UK CEO, Vinny Lingham to headline IAB SA Digital Summit

IAB SA has announced South African-born Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Vinny Lingham and Guy Phillipson, the CEO of IAB UK, as the headline speakers for its second annual IAB Digital Summit.

The summit — which takes place on 3 March 2016 at Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg — 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.

According to a press release issued by IAB SA, 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 his views on the role the IAB UK played in making digital the largest segment of 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’s been the biggest medium in the UK since 2011, and still booming on the back of mobile, video, native and programmatic. But 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.

The summit will be followed by The Bookmark Awards, which the IAB says this year attracted a record number of entries. The awards are now in their eighth year, although there a number of categories have been added or revised for 2015.

“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.”

Tickets for the start from R 1 690, and from R 1 090 for the Bookmark Awards, with online bookings now open.