It’s that time of year again. Have your say in IAB Europe’s annual brand safety poll.
Since numerous high-profile incidents occurred involving ads from major brands showing up next to unsuitable content way back in 2017, brand safety and suitability became a top priority for marketers and publishers alike. We started this poll 5 years ago to see how the industry is tackling brand safety. In our annual poll, we’d like to see what progress the industry is making? What tools do you find most helpful to solve this problem? And which channels do you feel need more support to tackle brand safety? Have your say on these key questions and more in our brand safety poll, and enter for your chance to win a €200 Amazon voucher.
Share your views here on how brand safety and suitability has been tackled in 2023 and what action needs to be taken in 2024 to maintain quality environments for all campaigns.
Don’t miss out! The deadline to complete this survey is Friday 15th March, and it will take just 10 minutes to complete.
On the 22nd and 23rd of January, representatives from 15 retailers in Europe gathered to discuss and debate various retail media metrics and measurement methods.
The Workshop convened to address a specific investment barrier - a lack of standards.
The need to prioritise this challenge stemmed from a survey that IAB Europe conducted in 2023, which found that 70% of buyers cited the lack of standards for Retail Media as a barrier to investment, and media and attribution measurement were noted as the most important areas to address.
The retailers represented at the Workshop were:
Thanks to the support of McKinsey & Co. for hosting the Workshop at their offices, we enjoyed two days of rich discussion, debate, and alignment on retail media standards in the areas of primary media metrics, audience measurement, attribution windows and techniques, ad formats and specific retail metrics, such as new to brand. Discover what was discussed below.
Day One
The event kicked off with the IAB Europe and McKinsey teams explaining that the purpose of the workshop was to address one key retail media pain point - standardisation of metrics and measurement methods. The aims of the workshop were to:
The Workshop kicked off with a discussion around primary media metrics that have been standardised in other areas of digital media including viewability and IVT. These are metrics that brands and buyers have come to expect as table stakes in other areas of digital media measurement. The key takeaways from this session were:
The group then turned its attention to a discussion on audience measurement and whether there is a need to harmonise the definitions of audiences in retail media networks (RMN). A couple of insights on audience measurement were:
A well-debated topic was then addressed - the Attribution Lookback Window. A Lookback Window is the period of time after an ad is clicked or viewed within which a conversion can be attributed, or matched, to the ad (definitions source: IAB Europe’s Retail Media Glossary). From our initial conversations with various brands, it is clear that they are looking for a stake in the ground to compare apples to apples but also the desire for flexibility to allow brands to normalise the Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) number they are being provided with. The group debated the different approaches to lookback windows and the importance of providing flexibility to brands. The consensus on this will be shared with the industry for feedback soon.
The end of day one concluded with a session on Halo Attribution, which is an additional measurement technique to direct attribution / ROAS and provides a more holistic view of the consumer journey, allowing advertisers to better understand which types of ad interactions are contributing to driving sales. Key considerations on Halo Attribution were:
Day Two
Day two kicked off with a working breakfast during which IAB Europe’s Chief Economist, Daniel Knapp, explored what the changing investment logic of advertisers means for retail media. Key takeaways included:
After this insightful presentation, the Workshop turned its attention to more advanced metrics that are specific to retail media.
We kicked this off by looking at incrementality measurement methods. Incrementality represents the causal impact of marketing and is linked to outcomes, like sales or attributed to advertising campaigns or exposures. The key takeaways were:
The group continued the conversation by discussing retail media specific metrics including New to Brand, Category Market Share, and Category Change. Key takeaways included:
In the last session of the day, the group turned their attention towards Creative Ad Formats, as it has become clear that ads on retail sites do not follow any specific standard. The key takeaways here were:
Summary
Overall, the Workshop acted as a pivotal moment and a key starting point for the industry to come together kick-off the development of pan-European Retail Media standards.
Justin Sandee, Director Commercial Development at Bol.com attended the Workshop and said: "In the convergence of retail, ecommerce and media, industry leaders engaged in constructive and pivotal discussions on standardising retail media measurements during the two day Workshop. In my opinion, this marks a significant stride towards the maturation and professionalisation of this influential and crucial media channel, epitomising a collective commitment to elevating industry standards and driving impactful strategies forward."
Maurits Priem, VP Monetisation Europe & Indonesia at Ahold Delhaize also attended and said: “We enjoyed sharing experiences with peers during the workshop; conversations were stimulating, educational and relevant. We covered many topics and had fruitful, at times extensive discussions, since participants came from various retail organizations, in different retail media phases. We sensed a shared responsibility to make steps to further professionalize the Retail Media industry, in the interest of our clients, the advertisers and agencies.”
The outcome of the workshop was an initial set of recommended standards for retail media metrics and measurement. A document outlining the recommendations will be published as an initial draft for industry feedback within the next month.
The development of Standards for Retail Media Advertising in Europe is a key focus of the IAB Europe Retail Media Committee work plan. This multi-stakeholder Committee brings together retailers alongside leading Retail Media businesses in Europe to advance and shape the future of this exciting digital advertising space and has already produced valuable resources including pan-European definitions, the first-ever industry association-led Retailer Digital Advertising Capability Map a Retail Media Glossary. You can find all of these resources and more on IAB Europe’s Retail Media Hub here.
Another attendee, Henri Gentis, Global Head of Retail Media, JustEat Takeaway commented: "It was great to see experts brainstorm ways to measure success in retail media. We're making the whole system better and more professional, which is great for everyone involved. Plus, we learned about the latest trends and how to tackle upcoming challenges. Standardisation will make it so much better for brands to assign budgets to retail media and could be a game-changer for participants."
To find out more about the committee’s work and how you can get involved please contact IAB Europe’s Industry Development & Insights Director, Marie-Clare Puffett.
Brussels, Belgium 25th January 2024 - IAB Europe, the European level association representing a diverse membership of digital marketing, digital advertising and media companies, has submitted its observations to the European Commission on the Multistakeholder Expert Group Questionnaire for the 2024 Report on the Application of the GDPR. In its response, IAB Europe underscores several priority issues requiring attention under the GDPR. These include the imperative for more consistent application of data protection laws, enhanced education and awareness about the GDPR, and the necessity to support research and development into innovative data protection technologies by better applying the risk-based approach.
Executive Summary:
The response is rooted in the lessons learnt by our members while striving to comply with GDPR rules. It underscores the need for a consistent application of the GDPR in the EU and clearer guidance from data protection enforcers. Finally, IAB Europe express its commitment to an ongoing dialogue on GDPR enforcement with policymakers to serve the interests of both businesses and consumers
Download the response here
The time for actionable marketing gameplans is NOW. And where better to find them than at PMW Unlocked 2024? Mark your calendars for March 5th-6th, because this two-day event is about to supercharge your marketing plans and we’re proud to partner the event.
Think brainstorming sessions with 1,000+ fellow marketing and advertising professionals. Think 40+ industry legends like Grace Andrews (Marketing Director of Steven Bartlett & The Diary Of A CEO) and Paul Wright (Head of Uber Advertising UK&I) dropping knowledge bombs like confetti. Think 50+ sessions packed with strategies, they'll make your competitors green with envy.
Our own IAB Europe Chief Marketing Officer, Helen Mussard will be Chairing the AI, Tech & Data stage on Day one. She will be hosting a panel on ‘Generative AI Debrief: its journey, impact, and what's next?’. This stage will also host ‘AI Use Cases - 10 Ways you can Utilise AI to Drive Performance’, and more. Be sure to check it out.
But PMW Unlocked isn't just about learning, it's about doing. Here's what you'll unlock:
2024 marketing playbook: Ditch the guesswork and grab the winning strategies for the year ahead. Think personalisation, data-driven decisions, and content that magnetise your audience like a black hole.
Future-proof your plans: Get in the know about the latest trends and tech that are shaping the marketing landscape. AI, automation, the ever-evolving media beast – you'll be ready to conquer them all.
AI & influencer mastery: These aren't just buzzwords, they're your secret weapons. Learn how to leverage AI to craft campaigns that are smarter than ever, and master the art of influencer partnerships that explode your reach like a supernova.
Performance hacks galore: Need better customer engagement and conversions? We've got the cheat codes. Discover how to optimise your website, craft calls to action that can't be ignored, and turn every visitor into a loyal returning customer.
Partnership powerhouse: Forget going it alone. Learn how to build strategic alliances with affiliates and creators who amplify your message and take your marketing to the next level.
After-Party included: Network like a pro at the after-party. Mingle with your fellow marketers, share stories, and shape the future of the industry together.
PMW Unlocked isn't just an event, it's an investment in your future. It's the difference between playing it safe and dominating the marketing game in 2024.
Click here to purchase tickets and you’ll
To further enhance our ability to manage the registrations of TCF (Transparency & Consent Framework) Vendors and Consent Management Platforms (CMPs), IAB Europe seeks to move its existing portal to a new architecture and add support for administration workflows that will help IAB Europe manage the registration process and support the various procedures of the TCF compliance programmes.
To help with this effort, IAB Europe is launching a Request for Proposal to obtain the services of an independent contractor to help with solutioning, implementing and maintaining the above-mentioned Vendor & CMP registration and management portal.If you would like to receive the Request for Proposal, please email baumann@iabeurope.eu
Brussels, 22nd January, 2024 - Today, IAB Europe, the European-level industry association for the digital advertising and marketing ecosystem, has announced the publication of its Implementation Guidelines for the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) Transparency to help online platforms meet the legal requirements for user-facing information disclosures. To facilitate this process, IAB Tech Lab and the IAB Europe Taskforce have standardised data collection, compilation, and transport with new Technical specifications and Implementation guidelines.
The DSA, adopted in October 2022, sets transparency obligations for online platforms, aiming to improve consumer and business confidence in online products, services, and advertising. Scheduled to come into effect on 16 February 2024 for platform companies, the DSA mandates real-time access to specific information for users on online platforms.
In July 2022, IAB Europe created a DSA Taskforce to evaluate industry needs for standardisation in support of compliance with ads transparency requirements outlined in the DSA, with an initial focus on Art. 26. Key elements mandated by Article 26 include the disclosure of information such as the nature of the advertisement, the advertiser's identity, the party financing the ad, main parameters for ad targeting, and information on user-controlled changes to these parameters.
The taskforce includes technical and legal/policy experts from a variety of companies across the advertising ecosystem. The taskforce has produced these new Implementation Guidelines to support implementation of a standardised approach to collect, compile, and transport the required data, ensuring compliance with the DSA transparency requirements.
To support a diverse range of use cases, the guidelines outline two parallel transport pathways for rendering DSA transparency information: one through the online platform (publisher) and the other through the ad creative. The document also addresses non-programmatic scenarios, direct deals, in-app support, and specific considerations for video players.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the guidelines and implement them in line with their business requirements. The document includes detailed notes for implementers, expected roles for transparency support, and FAQs addressing common queries from industry participants.
The technical specification, hosted by IAB Tech Lab here, provides data formats and a mechanism for the transport of the data that are required to enable the advertising industry to implement relevant DSA transparency information. This solution should be adaptable across most relevant use cases, including programmatic and non-programmatic media buys, and for channels including desktop web, mobile (web/app), video, and CTV.
Recognising the collaboration required in the advertising ecosystem, IAB Tech Lab and IAB Europe’s Taskforce have aligned the guidelines with the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) for user choice and control over parameters. The guidelines provide roles and responsibilities for different stakeholders, ensuring a seamless implementation process.
For more information and to access the Implementation Guidelines, please visit IAB Europe's platform.
Brussels, Belgium, 18 January 2024 - IAB Europe, in coalition with national trade association members representing thousands of companies operating in the digital marketing and advertising ecosystem - Alliance Digitale, IAB Italia, IAB Polska, IAB Spain, IAB Sweden, SPIR & VIA Nederland - have responded to the EDPB public consultation on their draft guidelines 2/2023 on Technical Scope of Art. 5(3) of ePrivacy Directive.
The coalition strongly believes in the technology-neutral principles of EU legislation to ensure a high level of data protection and fully welcomes initiatives intended to clarify in practice which requirements may apply to new technologies and allow companies to innovate with legal certainty and towards privacy forward practices.
However, the undersigned associations have grave reservations that the proposed guidelines 2/2023 as currently drafted are likely to produce the opposite effect, as they entail significant risks of discrepancies in their application by organisations and regulators, defeating thereof the purpose to remove ambiguities related to the material scope of Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive.
- Firstly, it is unclear whether the proposed guidelines adequately capture the perspectives of authorities that are effectively entrusted with the power to enforce national ePrivacy rules. This raises questions as to whether the proposed guidelines reflect the views of such authorities and might aggravate legal uncertainty across the Union.
- Secondly, the proposed guidelines prescribe an expanded interpretation of how the ePrivacy Directive applies to existing technologies, in particular of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP/IP) and ephemeral storage mechanisms such as RAM. This is not only misaligned with the objectives of the ePrivacy Directive to protect users’ private sphere but also contradicts established positions adopted by local regulators - raising the prospect of inconsistent enforcement and economic disparities for organisations across Europe.
- Thirdly, the proposed guidelines eliminate all distinction between operations that involve tracking users’ activities and those which do not, such as the delivery of contextual advertising or the prevention of fraud. By failing to provide guidance on how the two exemptions provided by the ePrivacy Directive might apply to the novel positions taken by the EDPB, a large number of operations that are fundamental to the way Internet works could become subject to consent. This would have the detrimental effects of worsening the so-called consent fatigue phenomenon and acting as a deterrent for companies to favour where possible privacy forward practices.
Recommendations
The undersigned associations recommend the EDPB to revise the proposed guidelines in a way that reflects their competences, tasks and powers, and to align their analysis with both the ePrivacy Directive’s primary objective to protect the private sphere of users as well as the interpretative guidance that has been issued by competent authorities over the last years.
Additionally, it is essential for any new guidance or recommendations provided by the EDPB on the matter to concomitantly cover which situations may qualify for exemption from the consent requirement under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, to take into account real-life technical and business considerations.
The response to the public consultation can be found here. For more information, please contact Ninon Vagner, Privacy Director, IAB Europe - vagner@iabeurope.eu / Helen Mussard, CMO, IAB Europe - mussard@iabeurope.eu
New resource for media buyers provides an overview of on-site, off-site and digital in-store retail media ad opportunities offered by retailers operating in Europe.
18th January 2024 - Brussels, Belgium, IAB Europe, the leading European-level industry association for the digital advertising and marketing ecosystem, has published the first version of its Pan-European Retailer Digital Advertising Capability Map. This is the first Map of its kind produced by an industry association which demonstrates the digital advertising capabilities of retailers across Europe spanning grocery, beauty, fashion, marketplace and home & DIY.
Retail Media digital advertising investment in Europe is expected to reach 25 billion EUR by 2027. It is no secret that Retail Media is transforming the digital advertising ecosystem providing a new opportunity for brands to reach consumers and access first party data capabilities. As the proliferation of Retail Media Networks (RMNs) continues to gain momentum, it becomes increasingly crucial for brands to be empowered in effectively gauging their investment opportunities. Consequently, IAB Europe has proactively addressed this need by formulating the Retailer Capability Map.
This comprehensive Map serves as a valuable resource for media buyers by providing insights about the on-site, off-site and in-store opportunities offered by retailers operating in Europe. Additionally, it provides pivotal information on the available targeting and measurement options. The intent is to equip media buyers with information they need to undertake comparative assessments of retailer offerings across Europe.
Maurits Priem, VP Monetization Europe & Indonesia, Ahold Delhaize: “At Ahold Delhaize we are surfing The Third Wave together with our advertisers, aiming to raise the bar in advertising. As a front runner in omnichannel retail media we support the role of IAB Europe when it comes to professionalising our industry step by step. We welcome this first version of the Retailer Capability Map as a valuable next step and relevant tool for media buyers.”
Laura Badea, Global Digital Commerce Partner, Wavemaker: “The Pan-European Retailer Capability Map is a foundational piece of work, developed by IAB Europe as part of their commitment to drive a unified vision and standards to underpin the fast growth of retail media space. It comes at a critical moment in the shaping of retail media as a key element in the strategic channel mix in Europe.”
Europe is by far the most fragmented region in the world, with tens of local and regional retailers, working with different adtech solution providers. The map is an invaluable instrument, helping all entities involved in retail media navigate this complex ecosystem, using a common set of criteria to evaluate on-site, off-site and in-store offering, measurement capabilities and partnerships, across different verticals.
Retail Media Resources from IAB Europe
The Map is a significant milestone in IAB Europe’s roadmap to provide more education and standardisation for the Retail Media landscape in Europe. Other resources to encourage awareness and investment in Retail Media include A Retail Media Advertising Product Matrix, A 101 Guide to Retail Media, Retail Media Definitions and A Retail Media Glossary.
The Map will be updated on a quarterly basis with the next update scheduled for the beginning of Q2 2024.
Access V1 of the Capability Map here.
Contact details:
Marie-Clare Puffett - puffett [at] iabeurope.eu
Helen Mussard - mussard [at] iabeurope.eu
E-commerce Berlin Expo has always been a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the industry to learn new things, meet experts, and get inspired by innovative approaches so we are proud to partner witht hem again in 2024.
For Organisers, this challenge is an exciting chance to showcase their expertise in directing an event that not only informs but also inspires and connects the e-commerce community like never before.
And they did it again in 2024. While it's not the first time the E-Commerce Berlin Expo will be held, this year's agenda is a must-watch, with fresh and exciting perspectives in the world of e-commerce.
The line-up stands out for several reasons. What makes the 2024 agenda so amazing - and who will share their insights in Berlin?
This year, for the first time, the Organisers are also presenting an official opening session. In this special presentation, they will summarise what they believe to be the most crucial and impactful trends in the e-commerce industry. Efe von Thenen, CMO at ePages and Chairman of the Advisory Board at EBE, will lead this session.
Keynotes are the bread and butter of each conference, and this is especially true at the E-commerce Berlin Expo 2024. This year, the event is set to outdo itself with an array of speakers who are not just leaders in their fields but also pioneers in shaping the future of e-commerce. The lineup promises to deliver insights that are both groundbreaking and actionable, making EBE24 a must-attend event for industry professionals.
Don’t miss also:
Secure your visitor pass to hear these speakers live.
Companies often gravitate towards events where the key players of the industry are present. This year's E-Commerce Berlin Expo is proof of that, with an impressive lineup of industry giants. The focus is on those who are making quite an impact in the e-commerce world – and the list is nothing short of remarkable.
Leading the charge is Amazon, a name that speaks for itself. They offer attendees insight from a company that has continually redefined e-commerce. Alibaba, another titan in the industry, brings a wealth of knowledge from the Asian market. TikTok, the social media sensation that already started making waves in e-commerce by blending entertainment with shopping, is also part of the lineup! This conference is also enhanced by Uber, a company that revolutionised transportation and delivery services.
That’s just the beginning, though.
Elevating its game this year, the E-Commerce Berlin Expo is proud to present a dynamic and robust lineup of panel discussions featuring some of the most influential figures in the industry.
A highlight is the E-food panel, which involves top executive from HelloFresh and the head of Lieferando in Germany, a leader in the food delivery sector. Panelists will offer valuable insights into the fast-evolving world of online food services, a sector that has seen exponential growth over the last few years.
The Automotive panel will feature representatives from market leaders like BMW and VW, and is a rare opportunity to hear from the giants of the automotive industry about how e-commerce is reshaping the way vehicles are marketed, sold, and serviced.
The Conversational E-commerce panel will cover the growing trend of using chatbots, voice assistants, and other conversational interfaces to improve the online shopping experience.
And then, the AI in E-commerce panel will explore the newest applications of artificial intelligence in e-commerce – from personalized shopping experiences to inventory management, and beyond.
More to come!
Every single year, the E-Commerce Berlin Expo is all set to explore really interesting topics. But, there is even more variety of topics this year than in previous years.
A major highlight is the focus on AI and ML. The Expo dedicates an entire stage to this theme, mirroring its growing importance in the e-commerce sector.
Another critical topic is the ongoing impact of the pandemic, particularly the crisis and slowdown experienced by certain sectors post-COVID. How are some businesses getting back on their feet?
Then, the Expo will explore the emerging field of social commerce, with examples from TikTok, Universal Music, and HSE. This topic highlights how social media platforms are becoming increasingly integrated with e-commerce to change how consumers discover and purchase products.
Omnichannel strategies are also emphasised, with case studies from leading brands like IKEA, Philips, and Crocs. Presentations will focus on how companies integrate their online and offline presences to increase customer satisfaction.
Speaking of case studies, though, this year's Organisers were determined to secure many case studies across the stages. And they did it! The Expo is loaded with a variety of case studies from notable companies such as Schwartz IT (part of the Schwarz Group, along with Kaufland and Lidl), Transgourmet (in charge of Selgros or Cash and Carry), Casio, Flaconi, Citi, and Samsøe Samsøe, among others.
The E-Commerce Berlin Expo 2024 is shaping up to be the event of the year for anyone interested in e-commerce! With a lineup that's both exciting and promising, it's the perfect place to be for anyone looking to learn and grow in this field. EBE24 makes an ideal opportunity for those in the industry to come together, learn, and be inspired by the latest trends and innovations in e-commerce. So, what are you waiting for? Secure your free ticket here.
Digital Marketing and Advertising Association Calls for a Harmonised Cross-border Complaints Process
Brussels, 17th January, 2023 - IAB Europe, representing a diverse membership of digital marketing, digital advertising, and media companies, has communicated its strong concerns to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) regarding the draft report on the GDPR procedural regulation by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee.
The draft report, if implemented in its current form, falls short of the initial ambitions to harmonise procedural rules, which could hinder a consistent and fair GDPR cross-border complaints process for all organisations. In the letter sent today, IAB Europe encourages Members of the European Parliament to consider six key recommendations to address these concerns. These include keeping the administrative nature of cross-border complaints; respecting the GDPR governance model; enabling early resolution; respecting the confidentiality of business information; harmonising the defendant's right to be heard; and including flexible time limits for the defendant's views.
In the letter to MEPs, IAB Europe underscores the importance of addressing these concerns to harmonise and streamline GDPR procedural rules in cross-border cases, ensuring a fair, predictable, and efficient resolution process. The full letter can be seen below and accessed here.
Dear Member of the European Parliament,
IAB Europe, representing a diverse membership of digital marketing, digital advertising and media companies, would like to express their strong concerns to the draft report on the GDPR procedural regulation by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee. If implemented as it is, the draft report will fall short of the initial ambitions to harmonise procedural rules, and ensure that the GDPR complaints process is consistent, predictable and fair for all organisations and results in simple, fast and efficient resolution for consumers.
As the LIBE Committee is looking to agree on a common position on the GDPR procedural regulation, IAB Europe encourages MEPs to consider the recommendations below.
The new rights of ‘equality of arms’ and ‘to be heard’ for complainants, introduced by the draft report, increase the risk of turning what has been an administrative procedure into an adversarial one instead. While the draft report proposes to align some of the procedural protections to “all parties”, it also reinforces the rights of the complainants while at the same time hollowing out some of the procedural protections proposed in the initial draft to the investigated parties. The combination of all these proposals makes the draft report imbalanced leading to a flagrant absence of the rights of defence for any investigated party.
This approach will slow down the process to the detriment of all parties and will fall short of the initial ambition of the legislation to make the cross-border complaints process more consistent, swift and efficient. This will also undermine the independence of Lead Supervisory Authorities (LSA) as enshrined in the GDPR.
The draft report provides the EDPB with new powers to weigh in on disputes regarding procedural issues and to carry out factual investigations under the dispute resolution procedure. It also allows the EDPB to adopt binding decisions under the urgency procedure, which would be applicable to all member states. These proposals are in direct conflict with the role and authority of the LSA under articles 56 and 60 of the GDPR and this cannot be supplanted. We urge the co-legislators to reject these proposals which could further undermine the GDPR’s cornerstone one-stop-shop mechanism by redistributing decision-making and administrative competence from the LSA to the EDPB.
The European Commission’s proposal sets out clear opportunities for the defendant to express their views during the administrative procedure. However, the LIBE draft report, which would give a right to be heard to parties ‘before any measure is taken that would adversely affect’ the parties, is unclear. The text also allows supervisory authorities to limit this right to be heard under their national procedural law. Potential restrictions on the right to be heard at national level and vague concepts, such as “adversely affect”, will create legal uncertainty and increase the risk of diverging interpretation and application across member states. IAB Europe urges the colegislators to respect the defendant’s right to be heard as a fundamental right to defence during clearly defined stages in the process, to ensure a fair, predictable and harmonised procedure. Furthermore, the proposed deletion of Article 24 would remove a key requirement for parties to be heard before the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).
The draft report requires the supervisory authorities to set “reasonable” time limits for providing views, which should not exceed four weeks. While the introduction of “reasonable” time limits is very welcome, we advise against a strict deadline, which will not be flexible enough to accommodate complex cases. Time limits should be proportionate depending on the complexity of each case. This is key to ensure that defendants have enough time to share their views, especially when the case is complex.
The draft report deletes all measures from the Commission proposal to protect defendants’ confidential information. In particular, the text grants complainants full access to all documents about the case except ‘internal deliberations’. It also removes the provision that would prevent complainants from using the preliminary findings for purposes other than the concrete investigation.
These proposals would increase the risk of media leaks, which could influence the decisions from supervisory authorities, and therefore undermine their independence and the overall integrity of the administrative procedure. We urge the co-legislators to respect current practices regarding defendants’ confidentiality and ensure, as far as possible, the effectiveness of sanction mechanisms across Europe in case of confidentiality breaches.
The draft report increases transparency and opportunities for organisations to receive complaints at an early stage in the process and directly resolve them. This is very welcome. However, the report proposes stricter conditions for the parties to settle unresolved cases via the amicable resolution process. In cases where the organisation and the complainant agree, the text would require the supervisory authority to launch its own investigation under broad and vague conditions and with no clear threshold for initiating the investigation. This proposal introduces uncertainty and unpredictability and could result in arbitrary decisions. We urge the co-legislators to remove these barriers to the use of amicable settlements in non-contentious cases that do not pose systemic threats to EU citizens’ fundamental rights. This approach would ensure that LSAs focus their resources on the most pressing and egregious cases.
Thank you for considering these concerns and taking the arguments mentioned above into account, in order to harmonise and streamline GDPR procedural rules in cross-border cases.
Sincerely,
IAB Europe
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is rapidly transforming the digital advertising landscape. It’s a hot topic and one that is changing the way brands advertise, providing new ways of reaching consumers and automating complex tasks to help make more informed, data-driven decisions.
But to fully harness its potential and to understand and navigate its challenges, we need your help and expertise.
In collaboration with Microsoft Advertising, we’re looking to gain valuable insights into the current state of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) within the digital advertising industry through our new survey.
Share your expertise in this survey today.
If you’re involved in the buying, planning, and selling of digital advertising here’s why you should get involved:
By participating in the survey, you can gain access to the latest insights and trends, ensuring that you and your organisation are well prepared for what’s to come.
Your input is invaluable. By sharing your expertise, you’re helping to shape the future of our industry and helping us to uncover the key trends, challenges, and opportunities that GAI presents for our industry.
Rest assured the survey will only take a few minutes to complete and will remain strictly confidential.
The survey is now open, and you have until Friday 2nd February, to take part.
Your contribution will play a crucial role in helping our industry understand, adapt, and thrive in this new generative AI-driven era and we thank you for your time.
Take part in the survey today!
With the festive season upon us and the new year fast approaching, we take you on a journey back to look at what has shaped 2023 for us, our members and the industry.
So, In this blog post, we are showcasing some of IAB Europe’s best bits and all the great work we have accomplished with our wonderful members and partners. Thank you to you all for your hard work, support, and expertise shared and for helping us to make 2023 such a great success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Let’s dive in…
In 2023, we ran over 30 events and webinars attracting over 5500 attendees over the year, sharing information and knowledge within the industry. We also worked with industry experts from across our membership to produce 8 guides on key topics, such as Attention and Sustainability.
Most participated Events of 2023
From our flagship event Interact in Madrid to our Great Debate series and Virtual Programmatic Days, we have covered a wide range of topics through our virtual and in-person events this year.
Check out some of the most popular events below and watch these on demand. Or head to our Knowledge Hub if you want to watch more of our great events on demand.
Interact 2023 in Madrid
This year we held our flagship annual event ‘Interact’ in Madrid, Spain, where we unpacked a whole host of topics from the attention economy, CTV, and retail media, through to premium publisher’s advertising models, sustainability, and more. Check out the event highlights and recordings here.
Two Hybrid Virtual Programmatic Days
Our Virtual Programmatic Day (VPD) events bring together industry experts and thought leaders to explore the latest trends, drivers, and barriers impacting programmatic trading in Europe. This year the events covered, programmatic omnichannel, the opportunity in Retail Media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more.
The Great Debate Series
Our Great Debate series of events brings industry experts together to discuss and debate the industry’s hottest topics of the moment. Check out some of our Great Debate event recordings and highlights below:
Top Three Industry Research
We love research and with our extensive experience of undertaking industry attitude and benchmarking studies on a range of digital advertising and marketing topics, it’s easy to see why. Below you will find our top three pieces of research from 2023:
Top Trending Guides Authored by Industry Experts
All of our guides are created with the help and expertise of our industry committee members. Check out some of our top trending pieces below:
[New for 2023] Sustainability Spotlight
Our Sustainability Standards Committee was set up in October 2022 and through 2023 has continued with its collaborative efforts to help reduce the carbon emissions produced by the delivery of digital advertising. Here are some of the key outputs the committee and IAB Europe have produced to support this key topic:
[New for 2023] Retail Media Spotlight
Our Retail Media Committee has been busy working on several initiatives to help educate and advance the Retail Media landscape. Check out some of our Retail Media highlights below:
Policy, Advocacy, and Legal Spotlight
Let’s talk policy! This year, we have continued our policy advocacy efforts, demonstrating the value of the industry, and contributing to discussions on relevant EU policy dossiers.
As we look forward to 2024, you can expect a lot more great content, insights, events, and exciting news from us.
From more Retail Media and Sustainability to the DSA, AI, programmatic advancements, and more we can’t wait to get stuck in with all of our members as we explore and advance in our industry’s hottest topics next year.
We will also be hosting our annual Interact conference in a brand new location, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more details coming soon.
So that rounds up 2023! A huge thank you to all of our members for getting involved in our initiatives this year and for helping to keep our content as engaging and thought-provoking as ever
If you are interested in joining IAB Europe or are already a member and want to get more information and be involved in our committees or task forces, outputs, or content, please get in touch with the team at communication@iabeurope.eu.
We wish you all a wonderful festive period and a relaxing break, and look forward to working together and collaborating in the new year to drive the industry forward in 2024 and beyond.
