The energy at DanAds | Summit 25 NYC was undeniable. On October 15th, more than 150 media and advertising professionals gathered in the heart of New York for a full day of bold ideas, insightful discussions, and forward-thinking innovation.
It was not just another adtech conference. It was a statement. As we unveiled our brand-new DanAds website the same day, the summit marked a turning point for how we connect, collaborate, and shape the conversation around self-serve, automation, and the evolving adtech landscape.
This was our fourth NYC summit, and easily our most ambitious yet. With attendees from leading media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, NBCUniversal, Disney, Roku, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Warner Bros. Discovery, and guests mainly traveling from across the United States, Canada, but some from as far as Europe, and Asia, the event showcased DanAds’ growing global reach and cross-industry impact.
The Voices That Shaped the Day
Bringing together 26 speakers from across media, technology, and broadcasting was no small feat, and the results spoke for themselves. From Dan Rayburn’s opening fireside chat to lively panels on AI in media, Total TV, and self-serve innovation, the conversations were candid, challenging, and refreshingly human.
True to our ongoing commitment to equal opportunities, 11 of our speakers were women, supported by The Women in Programmatic Network, ensuring a range of voices continue to shape the future of our industry.
A few stand-out quotes
“I’m focused on copyright and the legal implications of AI… Many publishers have sued AI companies, while others have partnered… Cases in court now will set precedents… From an advertising perspective, AI makes ads more personalized… but the challenge remains: which 50% of my ad budget works and which 50% is wasted… AI will make that calculus even tougher.”
— Sara Fisher, Media Correspondent
“Marketing is a storytelling exercise, at the end of the day, with a lot of data underneath it.”
— Lindsay Van Kirk, PEOPLE Inc.
“Streaming is not about innovation; it’s about what works, what’s simple, what’s easy to use.”
— Dan Rayburn, NAB Show
Our Sponsors: Partners in Innovation
We could not have done it without the support of our incredible sponsors, including four Platinum; tvbeat, Relevant Digital, Sigma Software and Dots.eco, and our two Silver sponsors; Aderize and The Women in Programmatic Network. Who helped make the event possible and brought their expertise to the stage and networking floor.
Together, we created a space that felt both professional and personal, reflecting our Swedish roots with fresh fruit, greenery, and a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere that felt unmistakably DanAds.
Our Attendees: Behind the Badge
We were also proud to welcome well-known brands and industry leaders from across the media ecosystem, including representatives from The Wall Street Journal, NBCUniversal, Disney, Roku, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Warner Bros. Discovery, among many others. Our audience was truly global, with participants joining from across the U.S. and Canada, and traveling from Europe and Asia to attend.
The feedback spoke volumes:
“Such a well-curated and thoughtful summit. The breadth of topics and panelists made it engaging for all.”
“Fantastic event, energized by the variety of topics and insights. I cannot wait to share what I learned with my team.”
“Loved the event. Great content, strong speakers, and delicious food. Looking forward to the next one.”
What’s Next!
We are already planning DanAds | Summit 26 EU in Stockholm, Sweden for the spring, followed by our fifth anniversary in NYC on October 14, 2026. Expect even more interactivity, and hands-on collaboration between the brightest minds in media and technology.
At DanAds, every summit is more than an event. It is a movement toward a smarter, more inclusive, and more efficient advertising ecosystem.
Interested in being part of the next DanAds Summit? Opportunities to sponsor or speak will open soon. Stay tuned for updates and a dedicated form on our event page.
In the meantime, you can catch up on highlights from this year’s event. A few session recordings are available now, with the full library releasing next week.
