21st April I 14:00 CET I Register here
Join us for the highly anticipated 2026 virtual edition of The Great Debate: Retail Media!
Immerse yourself in a dynamic program of Oxford-style debates, interactive panels, and showcase sessions that tackle the most pressing topics in retail and commerce media. From programmatic advertising to AI-driven innovations, expect bold ideas, authentic industry perspectives, and a forward-looking view of where Retail Media is headed next. This is your front-row seat to the future of the industry.
Hear from leading experts from IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Committee as they reveal the latest trends, innovations, and why standardisation and certification are more crucial than ever.
Don’t just follow the conversation— shape it. Register for free today.
AGENDA (CET):
14:00-14:10 - Introduction & Update on IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Roadmap
14:10-14:40 - Panel: The AI‑Powered Retail Media Supply Chain: From Insight to Activation
This panel explores how AI is transforming the retail media supply chain - from insight to real-time activation - for advertisers, retailers, and customers. Industry experts will explore how AI is reshaping personalisation, bidding, and ad operations. Panellists will also discuss measurement challenges like incrementality and the rise of synthetic audiences. The session concludes with a candid look at governance, oversight, and control as AI scales beyond human capacity.
Moderator: James Taylor, Founder and CEO, Particular Audience
Speakers:
14:40-14:55 - Oxford Style Debate: The Convergence and Coexistence of Trade and Media - Should They be Unified or Separated?
In this Oxford‑style debate, industry leaders will tackle one of the most pressing strategic questions in modern retail media: should trade and media functions converge into a unified discipline, or remain distinct to preserve their unique value? Expect a lively, structured exchange as experts argue both sides—exploring operational models, commercial incentives, measurement implications, and the long‑term impact on brands, retailers, and the wider ecosystem. This session will challenge assumptions, surface fresh perspectives, and help the audience consider where the future of retail and commerce media truly lies.
Moderator: Nicolas Trannoy, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Lucky cart & Representative of Alliance Digitale Retail Media Committee
Speakers:
14:55-15:05 - Short presentation by IAB Europe on The New Standards for Retail & Commerce Media: Measurement V2, Flexi Formats, and the Road to V3
Speaker: Yara Daher, Retail Media Advisor, IAB Europe
A look at what is new in V2 of the Measurement Standards followed by a look at what is planned on travel and finance media.
This short presentation will unpack what’s new in Version 2 of IAB Europe’s Measurement Standards, including enhanced guidance designed to drive greater consistency, comparability, and confidence across the ecosystem. The session will also introduce the new Flexi Formats framework and offer a forward view into the roadmap for Version 3, with a spotlight on upcoming workstreams for travel and finance media.
15:05-15:35 - Panel: Programmatic On‑Site: Unlocking Scale, Non‑Endemic Growth, and Cross‑Market Comparability
This panel explores how programmatic on-site advertising is unlocking new scale for Retail Media, enabling both endemic and non-endemic brands to reach high-intent audiences. It will examine how retailers are opening their inventory to programmatic demand while maintaining control over the customer experience. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities of standardisation, measurement, and cross-market comparability in a fragmented landscape. The session will also highlight how programmatic capabilities can drive incremental revenue and global growth for retail media networks.
Moderator: Alessandro Zanotti, Managing Director, Global Lead Retail Media & Data Monetization Practice, EU Lead Retail Industry, Accenture Song
Speakers:
15:35-15:45 - Showcase / Case Study spotlight
Speaker:
In this session, The Trade Desk will highlight how brands are using retail data to improve audience targeting, media efficiency, and sales performance across the open internet, drawing on real-world learnings from recent campaigns.
15:45 - Closing
Hosts:
Jason Wescott, Global Head of Commerce Solutions, WPP Media & Chair of the IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Committee
Patricia Grundmann, Vice President Media & Retail Media / Managing Director, OBI First Media Group & Vice-Chair of
IAB Europe’s Retail & Commerce Media Committee
Speakers
Alessandro Zanotti, Managing Director, Global Lead Retail Media & Data Monetization Practice, EU Lead Retail Industry, Accenture Song
Cédric Epiard, VP of Product, Mirakl Ads
Diana Abebrese, Global Lead, Retail Media, Empathy Lab by EPAM
Polina Melnikova, Strategic Growth Director, Moloco Commerce Media
Paul Dahill, Managing Director of EMEA Sales, Koddi
Selen Ozkan, Head of CPG & Retail EMEA, Uber Advertising
Lisa Avery, Director of Customer Success EMEA, Zitcha
James Taylor, Founder and CEO, Particular Audience
Mazen Mroueh, Head of Retail Media & Partnerships, Publicis Media
Nicolas Trannoy, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Lucky cart & Representative of Alliance Digitale Retail Media Committee
Tim Abraham, GM, Data Partnerships, The Trade Desk
Yara Daher, Retail Media Advisor, IAB Europe
