The way people discover brands, content and media is changing and the implications for marketers, publishers and agencies are immediate. From social and commerce-led discovery to AI-generated answers and instant-response search, consumer behaviour is shifting faster than most strategies can keep up with. IAB New Zealand's Future of Search and AI Working Groups are bringing together local and international experts for a half-day summit on the future of brand discovery. Expect expert keynotes, sharp takeaways from a 'hot takes' speaker panel, and a hands-on workshop. Essential for any brand, agency or publisher navigating the future of discovery.
Event Details
Date: 13 August 2026
Time: 1pm - 5:30pm
Venue: The Maritime Room, Auckland Central
Tickets: IAB New Zealand Members $120 + GST + BF, Non-members: $195 + GST + BF
Includes afternoon refreshments & networking drinks.
Thank you to our sponsors Amazon Ads and Taboola.
| Time | Session | Speakers |
| 1 - 1:10pm | Guest Registration | |
| 1:10 - 1:15pm | Opening Comments | Mike Puru MC & Angelina Farry, CEO IAB New Zealand |
| 1:20 - 1:50pm |
Amazon Ads Keynote 'Beyond the Search Bar How AI and Agentic Commerce is reshaping shopping journeys' |
Aneeket Dayal, Strategy & Insights Lead, Amazon Ads Australia + guest Mike Delaney, Group Product Director, Omnicom Media. |
| 1:55 - 2:20pm |
Google Keynote: 'Be the Answer: Marketing in the Age of Gen AI Search'
|
Nikki Rogers, Head of Performance, Google NZ |
| 2:25 - 2:55pm |
Hot Takes Speaker Panel Richard Conway: AI Already Has an Opinion of Your Brand Rowan Schaaf: Agentic AI: How do you influence the influencer Joe France: Hiding in Plain Sight. Jill Varani: Stop Chasing Answers. Start Shaping Questions. |
Moderator: Shahper Richter, UoA Richard Conway, The Optimisers Rowan Schaaf, Pattern Joe France, Taboola Jill Varani, MBM
|
| 2:55 -3:10pm | Break & Refreshments | All |
| 3:15 - 3:40pm | Keynote: OpenAI | Mitch Pilar, GTM - Ads Solutions, OpenAI |
| 3:45 - 4:10pm | Keynote: Kantar 'Chosen by AI: The New Rules for Getting Your Brand Noticed by AI'. | Victoria Fedotova, Group Client Director & Jason Schoeman Head of Solutions & Expertise, Kantar |
| 4:15 - 4:30pm | Interactive Workshop led by IAB New Zealand Emerging Technology Council | All |
| 4:30 - 4:35pm | Closing Comments |
Skipper Lomiwes, Chair IAB New Zealand Emerging Technology Council. Conor Breen, Vice-Chair, IAB New Zealand, Emerging Technology Council. |
| 4:35 - 5:30pm | Networking Drinks |
|