State of the Nation 2025: Toronto

TBA, Microsoft

IAB Canada kicks off with the industry’s latest advertising revenue data and examines the complex relationship between AI, consumer trust, and workforce evolution. Get early insights into the financial pulse of the industry and the ethical implications of emerging technologies.

Sonia Carreno, President, IAB Canada

Canada is at a crossroads and embarking on a new chapter. Amid trade tensions and high policy uncertainty, Canadian businesses bracing for a turbulent economy. Historically, moments like this have triggered uncertainty across industries, and advertising is often among the first budgets to be scrutinised. Marwa Abdou shares data and insights on where things stand, top of mind challenges and obstacles ahead, and how the industry can leverage resilience, strategic investment, and a focus on brand strength to weather this economic instability.

Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Stay ahead of the curve with a deep dive into the latest trends shaping Canada’s digital ecosystem. This session will explore essential insights to help refine your marketing strategy for the year ahead, including cross-platform measurement, evolving consumer habits across devices and formats, major category usage, Canadian perspectives on the role of AI, social media trends, and the key players driving digital transformation. Whether you’re building campaigns or adjusting course, this data-driven overview will equip you to make smarter, more informed decisions in 2025.

Bryan Segal, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Comscore

In this candid conversation, IAB Canada President Sonia Carreno welcomes Tony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab, joining live via Zoom, for a deep dive into the evolving ad tech landscape. From what’s on the roadmap to the regulatory and technical pressures shaping the future, they’ll unpack the trends, the tensions, and the breakthroughs ahead. 

Speakers:

• Anthony Katsur, CEO, IAB Tech Lab
• Sonia Carreno, President, IAB Canada

In an era of uncertainty where every media dollar counts, marketers are looking to stretch their budgets as far as they can go to drive returns. This panel will delve into the possibilities of leveraging smart media investment for results.

We’ll discuss how once “nice to haves” are quickly becoming must haves as competition surges and attention is at a premium.

Moderated by Vadeem Semko, Supervisor, Growth & Partnerships, Time & Space

Panelists:

• Kelly Thomas Nojaim, Regional VP for North America Corporate Sales, Microsoft
• Brian Batenburg, Head of Digital Advertising Sales, Globe Media Group
• Jordan Smart, Senior Director of Business Development, The Trade Desk
• Saad Uddin, Co-founder and CEO, Native Touch

A conversation about the intricate privacy and consent policies in Canada. Familiarize yourself with Canada’s privacy and consent legal framework to ensure your advertising practices are compliant and ethical.

Moderated by Sahil Razdan, Director, Legal Council, Postmedia

Panelists:

• Amanda Maltby, Chief Privacy Officer in President & Exec Advisory Team, Environics Analytics
• Cedrik Lafrance, Country Manager, Canada, Axeptio
• Christopher Ferguson, Partners, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
• David Kavanagh, AVP, Digital Performance Marketing,Growth Marketing, TD Bank Group

Ready for some bold predictions and unfiltered opinions? Join us for one of the most anticipated sessions at IAB Canada’s State of the Nation—a fast-paced, no-holds-barred panel where leading experts in advertising technology will react live to pressing industry issues.

We’ll be taking the pulse of the digital advertising community with real-time audience polling on hot-button topics. Our panel will dive into spontaneous debate, sharing their unique perspectives, contrarian views, and pragmatic insights. It’s an unscripted format that promises fresh takes on the future of ad tech. If you want to hear what industry insiders really think, don’t miss this session.

Moderated by Sonia Carreno, IAB Canada

Panelists:

• Lesley Conway, Head of Walmart Connect
• Emilien Hiraclides, Senior Account Executive, Optable
• Vince Simone, Head of DSP Sales, Yahoo Canada
• Victor Amorim, Director of Buyer Development, Index Exchange

TBA, Microsoft

• Drinks and passed canapés