The programmatic landscape is shifting toward a more integrated, data-driven future, and the latest speaker announcements for d3con 2026 reflect this evolution. Scheduled for March 17, 2026, in Hamburg, the event is cementing its position as a central hub for the European Adtech and Performance Marketing sectors by bringing together the industry’s most influential platforms and brands.
Tech Giants and Media Powerhouses Take the Stage
The newly confirmed speaker list reads like a who's who of the digital economy. Leading the charge are Sebastian Grantz and Bernd Fauser from Google, alongside Carolin Heise (Spotify) and Jannis Poestges (Netflix Ads). Their presence underscores the growing importance of Programmatic Advertising within streaming and search environments—a trend that is currently dominating US and UK markets as advertisers seek more sophisticated ways to reach audiences in Cookieless environments.
From the agency and publishing perspectives, the lineup is bolstered by Peter Figge (Jung von Matt), Chris Jungjohann (Ogilvy), and Robert Blanck (Axel Springer). These experts are expected to dissect how the intersection of creative strategy and automated Media Buying is redefining ROI for modern brands.
Retail Media and Brand Interests Move Center Stage
A significant portion of the update focuses on the Advertiser side, highlighting the surge in Retail Media and direct-to-consumer strategies. Industry leaders such as Alissa Martens (Unilever), Daniel Polte (Burger King), and Bülent Inci (Deutsche Bahn) will provide insights into how large-scale enterprises are navigating the complexities of First-Party-Data and performance-driven campaigns.
This shift toward brand-heavy representation mirrors global trends where Merchants are increasingly taking their Programmatic operations in-house or demanding deeper transparency from their partners. The financial and automotive sectors are also well-represented by Angelika Rozanowski (Volkswagen Financial Services) and Tim Alexander (Swiss Life Asset Managers).
New Strategic Partnerships Confirmed
In addition to the speaker updates, d3con has secured high-caliber sponsors that reflect the current investment climate in Adtech. Netflix Ads, Deutsche Telekom, LiveRamp, and Garnett Station Partners have signed on as official partners. The inclusion of LiveRamp, in particular, highlights the industry's urgent focus on identity solutions and data collaboration as Third-Party-Cookies continue to phase out.
Navigating the Programmatic Future
For the international Affiliate and Performance Marketing community, the d3con update signals a clear direction: the future of the industry lies in the convergence of high-end branding and granular performance metrics. As Netflix Ads and Spotify scale their programmatic offerings, Publishers and Media Buyers must adapt to a landscape where video and audio inventory are increasingly bought via the same automated channels as traditional display. This event will likely serve as a bellwether for how European markets will implement these global shifts throughout 2026.
Affilitizer Editorial Team
This article was created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
