2025 Digital Outlook: The First Party Future

Chief Executive Officer & Board Director, InfoSum

Joining us from New York Lauren is a vocal advocate for consumer privacy. She champions the development of ethical standards and innovative approaches to data usage to drive performant advertising solutions. Lauren’s impact and commitment to building a more customer-centric ecosystem has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including AdAge 40 Under 40, Campaign’s Inspiring Women, and AdExchanger & AdMonster’s Top Women in Media & AdTech. Prior to joining InfoSum, Lauren was SVP, Strategy and Corporate Development for AT&T’s advertising company Xandr, and an Engagement Manager, Strategy at Deloitte within its Media and Entertainment practice

APAC Business Development Lead, Amazon Ads

James leads Technical Business Development across the APAC region for Amazon Ads; helping brands and their partners to grow using Amazon’s Technology, Signals, and Media assets. James is responsible for technical consultation, thought leadership, and sales strategy. He is an advocate for privacy first signal collaboration and data analytics using AI to help customers garner new insights to guide Advertising & Marketing strategies. With 18 years experience in Advertising & Marketing at Digital Media Agencies and Amazon, James was the inaugural member of the Amazon Ads business in Australia, launching the business for non-retail customers across Financial Services, Automotive, Telco, and Entertainment. 

Head of Media & Marketing Performance, ANZ 

With a career spanning many years in Publicis and Omnicom media agencies, Susan is currently Head of Media and Marketing Performance at ANZ, where is she is responsible for maximising the impact of marketing investment. She is a highly accomplished marketing and advertising professional with a strong background in financial services, telco, automotive and FMCG marketing. She has a passion for developing and leading strong agency and client relationships with a focus on collaboration. 

Partner, Cyber & Privacy Risk Services, PwC New Zealand

Robyn is focussed on the balance between transparency and privacy of data, as it delivers a key measure of how organisations are managing information in line with people’s expectations. Robyn has a focus on ‘information conscience’ and helping organisations to protect the information they hold - whether it’s to support key business operations, embed tikanga Māori into data management, manage strategic security risks, protect privacy, avoid incidents or protect the integrity of key systems. She helps her clients tailor solutions that achieve the right balance between information protection and using information for their business outcomes.

Enterprise Account Executive, Adobe New Zealand

Alice is passionate about about helping  businesses drive personalised customer engagements and streamline content management. She partners with organisations to unlock the full potential of Adobe’s solutions, helping them drive innovation, and business growth. Prior to Adobe Alice focussed on strategy, technology, business transformation and personalised customer engagement at Slalom and Salesforce.

Head of Ads, Trade Me

Ivan is a data-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in digital media and data lead research solutions. His career has spanned omnichannel media formats, including social media and e-commerce.  Ivan has held senior roles at companies like Nielsen and digital video giant Vevo, in New York. Ivan now leads the advertising business at NZ’s largest online classifieds and marketplace, Trade Me, where he and his team are focused on unlocking the potential of Trade Me's intent-based data to help marketers drive ROI. 

Chair IAB NZ Data, Privacy & Measurement Council, Founder Team Circle

Qassem (aka Q) is a data enthusiast with a unique background in both advertising and science.  Known as a go-to expert in data, analytics, and technology strategies, Q has worked with leading brands in Seattle. He  joined FCB in New Zealand and later founded Team Circle, APAC’s latest customer technology and AI consultancy focused on making technology easy

Development & Team Lead - Data & Ad Tech, NZME

Mac is an accomplished data professional with a decade of experience in data and web development. At NZME Mac leads initiatives focused on building data-driven advertising solutions, custom identity solutions, and shaping their first-party data strategy. Notably, he was honoured with the INMA 30 Under 30 award for his contributions to the media industry. With a genuine passion for navigating the dynamic landscape of ad technology and data, Mac remains dedicated to driving innovation and excellence within his field.