IAB Canada’s Enterprise is back, and this year, We Need to Talk.  2025 presents our industry with complex political and economic realities. The Canadian digital advertising sector is being challenged to look inwards and fortify our sector while balancing the interdependencies with the US and abroad. We need to talk about two things – US, and how will we secure a sustainable future of growth and sovereignty for the Canadian digital advertising industry and Them, how to connect with consumers in a meaningful way in a world of accelerated content competing for attention. 

If you’re new to Enterprise, come ready to contribute, share your insights, and engage with your community. This All hands on deck event is your opportunity to bring your ideas and expertise to the table, actively helping to shape the future of Canadian digital advertising. Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural Enterprise, we’re summoning the industry back –and once again, it‘s all hands on deck.

Interested in becoming a speaker or sponsor? Reach out to [email protected]

Agenda

Time (ET) Topic
12:30pm – 1:00pm Registration
1:00pm – 1:10pm Opening Remarks & Mission Deployment

Talina van Essen, Operations Manager, IAB Canada

1:10pm – 2:50pm Collaborative workshop. Influence the industry’s response to 2025’s most pressing trends. 

Upper Deck – About Them: Engaging Audiences through Sight, Sound & Motion 

  • The digital media landscape is evolving fast, with retail media surging and endless opportunities to engage consumers. But with so many choices, how can advertisers unlock real impact? This session dives into the power of sight, sound, and motion, exploring consumer behavior shifts, creative strategies, and media planning tactics to drive results. Don’t just follow the trends—lead the conversation on what’s next in digital advertising. 

Lower Deck – About US: Strengthening Canadian Media Supply Chain for the Future 

  • Canada’s media industry is at a pivotal moment. As global markets evolve, we have an opportunity to strengthen our local ecosystem while continuing to thrive in an interconnected world. This session explores how we can support homegrown media, foster innovation, and ensure Canadian brands remain competitive—all while collaborating effectively on the global stage. With audiences shifting and policies changing, how do we balance international opportunities with local sustainability? Join us as we discuss the strategies, partnerships, and policies needed to build a thriving Canadian media landscape that benefits businesses, creators, and audiences alike. 
2:50pm – 3:10pm Break & Sponsor Raffles
3:10pm – 3:40pm Upper Deck: Panel Discussion – Making Meaningful Connections with Audiences

Panelists will delve into the commentary that was shared out during the working session. We will discuss the pulse of the room while weaving in new ideas and suggestions to move the industry forward. 

Moderated by Katie Wolf

Panelists:

  • Barbara Huggett, GM & SVP Ad Sales-Canada, Captivate
  • Belinda Baugniet, Manager, International Ad Marketing, Roku
  • Heather Gordon, Managing Director, Canada, Acast
  • Leanne Gibson, Head of Sales, Spotify Canada

Lower Deck: Panel Discussion Showing up for Canada

Panelists will delve into the commentary that was shared out during the working session. We will discuss the pulse of the room while weaving in new ideas and suggestions to move the industry forward. 

Moderated by Julie Kerr, Executive Director, Digital Ad Product & Revenue Management, CBC & Radio-Canada

Panelists:

  • Brian Batenburg, Head of Digital Advertising Sales, Globe Media Group
  • Danyal Syed, Country Consumer and Customer Insights Manager, IKEA Canada
  • Joycelyn David, Owner & CEO, AVCommunications
  • Robin LeGassicke, Chief Transformation Officer, Cairns Oneil
3:40pm – 4:10pm Upper Deck: Panel Discussion – The New Playbook for Digital Media Success 
Panelists will delve into the commentary that was shared out during the working session. We will discuss the pulse of the room while weaving in new ideas and suggestions to move the industry forward.

Moderated by Kabil Rahaman, Head of Data Optimization, Globe Media Group

Panelists:

  • Emilien Hiraclides, Senior Account Executive, Optable
  • Jayanthi Rajan, Chief Strategy Officer, The 2045 Collective
  • Paula Festas, SVP of Sales, illumin
  • Victor Amorim, Director, Buyer Development, Index Exchange

Lower Deck: Panel Discussion – Defining Responsible Media in 2025 

Panelists will delve into the commentary that was shared out during the working session. We will discuss the pulse of the room while weaving in new ideas and suggestions to move the industry forward. 

Moderated by Sahil Razdan, Director, Legal Council, Postmedia

Panelists:

  • Fil Lourenco, VP Performance & Platforms, Dentsu
  • Mona M Afzal, Director, Enterprise Growth Marketing & Strategy, Scotiabank
  • Raven Opatovksy, Global VP Media & Measurement Science, Canada Goose
  • Trevor Cresswell, Strategic Partner Manager, Industry Relations, Google
4:10pm – 4:25pm Collective Mission Debrief
4:25pm – 4:30pm Closing Remarks

Talina van Essen, Operations Manager, IAB Canada

4:30pm – 6:00pm Social Networking

  • Drinks and passed canapés

 

Thank you to our Sponsors

Speakers

  • Robin LeGassicke Cairns Oneil
  • Brian Batenburg Globe Media Group
  • Jayanthi Rajan The 2045 Collective
  • Danyal Syed IKEA Canada
  • Joycelyn David AVCommunications
  • Paula Festas illumin
  • Barbara Huggett Captivate
  • Emilien Hiraclides Optable
  • Belinda Baugniet Roku
  • Trevor Cresswell Google
  • Heather Gordon Acast
  • Kabil Rahaman Globe Media Group
  • Sahil Razdan Postmedia
  • Victor Amorim Index Exchange
  • Julie Kerr CBC & Radio-Canada
  • Katie Wolf
  • Leanne Gibson Spotify
  • Fil Lourenco Dentsu
  • Raven Opatovksy Canada Goose
  • Mona M Afzal Scotiabank