DMEXCO says that AI will be taking center stage along with retail media, sustainable media, digital Out-of-Home, connected TV, e-commerce, adtech, audio, programmatic, social media and influencer marketing.

In addition to around 650 exhibitors and partners, DMEXCO 2024 says that it will host 850 speakers, all set to deliver more than 200 hours of content across 14 stages. 

This year's high-caliber programme will again shine a spotlight on the latest trends and innovations in digital marketing, says DMEXCO. 

According to DMEXCO, among the top speakers will be:

  • Krishan Bhatia (Amazon Ads, DMEXCO's platinum sponsor in 2024)
  • Susanne Franz (Volkswagen)
  • Bert Habets (ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE)
  • Lauren Wetzel (InfoSum), and
  • James Murray (Microsoft Advertising). 

All Eyes on AI: Creative Ad Planning, Deep Fakes and Germany as a Hub

"Last year's DMEXCO already showed that it’s difficult to imagine the digital marketing world without artificial intelligence today. However, we're going one step further in 2024: with our 'Prompting the Future' motto, we'll be showcasing how attendees can identify the chances and opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, tap into them and integrate them into their business model. AI will be woven through DMEXCO like a base layer," says Verena Gründel, DMEXCO's brand and communications director and host.

In DMEXCO's opening keynote, Brendon Kraham (Google) will be exploring the latest AI innovations when it comes to creation, search and measurability.

Kai Ebert (SYZYGY AG) and Lea Horn (Arvato Systems, Bertelsmann) will be joined by other guests in a masterclass by the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) on ways to detect deepfakes.

Antonio Krüger (DFKI) and Luca Caracciolo (t3n) will be discussing how Germany and Europe can catch up with international competitors on the AI scene.

New Summits for Innovators and Creatives

At this year's DMEXCO, a number of new formats will be held for the first time, says DMEXCO. 

"Our goal is to cover an even wider range of digital marketing topics in this year's programme to better meet the needs of our community. At DMEXCO, we want to give our guests solutions for all the challenges they face in modern marketing. And they can look forward to being inspired by top-class national and international experts," says Gründel.

DMEXCO says that the CMO Summit, taking place on the Center Stage on Thursday, 19 September, will deliver just that; during presentations, fireside chats and panels, international marketing decision-makers will address the industry's strategic challenges — spanning AI in marketing, sustainability, data analysis and corporate branding. 

According to DMEXCO, the summit will feature big names from the marketing scene, including: 

  • Jennifer Treiber-Ruckenbrod (BMW)
  • Kerstin Köder (SAP)
  • Nadine Bartenschlager and Catherine Niebuhr (Co-CMOs at NIVEA in a job share position)
  • Maike Abel (Nestlé), and
  • Rik Strubel (Westwing). 

The Creativity Summit will also be making its debut on Thursday, 19 September. Presented in partnership with the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) — DMEXCO's ideational and professional partner — and the German Digital Award, the format will provide a platform for the crème de la crème of the digital creative industry, says DMEXCO. 

During a six-hour programme on the Agencies Stage, experienced experts will discuss the impact of creativity on ROI, brand success and working with creative AI. 

According to DMEXCO, these experts include:

  • Jack Smyth (Jellyfish)
  • Dora Osinde (Ogilvy)
  • Marjorieth Sanmartin (Philipp und Keuntje, fischerAppelt)
  • Robert Andersen (Jung von Matt), and
  • Francesca Lange (fritz-kola).

The aim of the summit is to inspire brands, creatives and agencies to embrace the latest trends and innovations in digital creativity and translate them into successful projects, says DMEXCO.

Dirk Freytag, president of the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW), says, "For us, the 'Prompting the Future' motto is both an appeal and a mission to shape the future together. This year's conference agenda completely reflects that. Our industry must act now. And DMEXCO will offer inspiration and insights for that across both days."

"At the same time, the BVDW will be more present than ever before. In addition to 25 masterclasses and our guided tours, we'll also be setting the stage at DMEXCO for our future shapers during the Creativity Summit, Digital Pulse and other formats," adds Freytag.

The Future of Moving Images on the Future TV Stage

For the very first time, DMEXCO says that it will be hosting part two of Screenforce Days on the Future TV Stage on Wednesday, 18 September in collaboration with Screenforce, an initiative spearheaded by TV marketers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for television and moving images. 

At the event, keynotes, talks and best-case presentations on ATV, CTV, advertising impact, sustainability and more will center around everything shaping the future of moving images.

According to DMEXCO, prominent industry speakers will include:

  • Malte Hildebrandt (Screenforce)
  • Marco Kunze (RTL2)
  • Martin Wendler (El Cartel Media), and
  • Katharina Frömsdorf (Joyn). 

DMEXCO says that it will also be hosting an offshoot of the VideoDays Festival for the first time, which will see creatives and brand managers discuss the future of the creator economy and collaboration with brands on the Experience Stage on Thursday, 19 September.

Among those there will be newsfluencer, presenter and activist Fabian Grischkat as well as creator, bestselling author and columnist Tara Wittwer. 

The Corporate Influencer Summit with Céline Flores Willers's The People Branding Company will, for the first time, offer a central platform for interaction and strategic development aimed at business creators and employer branding on the Collective Stage on Thursday, 19 September. 

DMEXCO says that it will also feature the DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home) Summit on Wednesday, 18 September in collaboration with IDOOH (Institute for Digital Out-of-Home Media GmbH) — with Ströer, WallDecau and many others — as well as, the Retail Media Summit on Wednesday, 18 September, where leading experts will be discussing the latest retail media trends and strategies and sharing valuable insights into the future of digital retail.

According to DMEXCO, these experts include:

  • Patricia Grundmann (OBI)
  • Christian Raveaux (REWE Group)
  • Sabine Jünger (Otto Group), and
  • Robert Jozic (Schwarz Media). 

Immersive Experiences and Side Events Top Everything Off

In 2024, the new Immersive Experience Area promises to turn DMEXCO into a playground of the future. Presented in partnership with the BVDW, this space will be all about groundbreaking technologies such as AR and VR.

Ikea's virtual reality showroom, the interactive Discovery Dock museum and 360° photographs and videos will provide impressive insights into how brands will interact digitally in the future, says DMEXCO.

DMEXCO concludes that brain food and a hearty morning meal will be on offer at the Programmatic Breakfast with d3con — at the DMEXCO pub from 10:00 on Thursday, 19 September. Trends and developments in programmatic advertising will be showcased there for two hours.The mobile.de bumper cars in the open area between halls six and seven will provide some hands-on action between keynotes and masterclasses. 

For more information, visit www.dmexco.com. You can also follow DMEXCO on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor