Ten years of spotlighting the boldest and brightest in Branded Content and Native Advertising
A look at some of our past attendees

























Proven success in showcasing native advertising excellence
For nearly a decade, the Native Advertising Institute has been the gold standard—the beating heart of Native Advertising’s global community. And now, in 2025, we’re bringing our flagship event to the UK.
Picture this: Over 400 industry heavyweights, boundary-pushing brands, and creative mavericks gathering at King Place in London for two days that will be anything but ordinary. Think transformative talks that leave you buzzing, roundtable debates that challenge your thinking, workshop and networking opportunities so good they might just redefine your career. This is where the future of Native Advertising takes shape. Don’t miss it.

This was such a fantastic day — so great to spend time speaking to and listening to other leaders in the Native Advertising space from such reputable and well known publishers. This is the best forum for us to all gather and speak to one another, in the industry. Don’t stop!
Raquel BubarManaging Director, New York Times International

What’s in it for you?
This isn’t just another marketing conference. It’s the global hotspot for Native Advertising and Branded Content brilliance. A place where Fortune 500 brands, top-tier publishers, and tech trailblazers come together to share the insider secrets behind their revenue-driving native ad strategies.
Expect no fluff. Just hard-hitting insights, jaw-dropping case studies, and practical takeaways you can actually use. You’ll leave armed with the know-how to crush today’s toughest market challenges and ride the wave of what’s next—AI breakthroughs, agile organizational models, and cross-platform storytelling that doesn’t just grab attention but holds it.
Day 1
May 13th

The NAI Awards Jury brings together top execs shaping native advertising.
This invite-only event is where industry leaders connect, tackle their challenges, and gain insights that matter.
Day 2 (Day)
May 14th

The only international event laser-focused on Native Advertising and Branded Content excellence. Get actionable insights straight from Fortune 500 brands, top publishers, and tech innovators.
Eight hours. Keynotes, tracks, and roundtables. All killer, no filler.
Day 2 (Evening)
May 14th

An award show where we will announce the Winners of the International Native Advertising Awards. The largest awards celebration dedicated to native advertising in the world.
Agenda
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08:10 |
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Registration + Coffee |
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09:00 |
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Jesper Laursen & Stine Holmgaard from Native Advertising Institute Welcome to Native Advertising Days |
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09:15 |
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Keynote: Dr. Imran Rashid, Author I Doctor I Lecturer From Attention Economy to Intention Economy Over the past 15 years, the attention economy has dominated the media landscape, prioritizing clicks, engagement, and emotional triggers over meaningful content. This relentless drive for attention has come at a significant cost to mental health, societal cohesion, and trust in media. At this conference, thoughtleader and digital health expert Dr. Imran Rashid will introduce a groundbreaking perspective: the transition from an Attention Economy to an ‘Intention Economy’. Drawing on his expertise in human cognition and decision-making, Imran will outline how the future of media lies in empowering individuals and fostering trust through what he calls “Authenticity-as-a-Service.” Key takeaways for participants:
In a world of digital noise and chaos, the intention-based media must become the voice of reason and the beacon of hope. Dr. Rashid’s message is clear: Future media success will be built on helping people live better, more intentional lives, because their media consumption will become more consciously chosen. This isn’t just a new business strategy—it’s a movement to restore trust, meaning, and humanity in the media industry. Authenticity as a Service is the key to this transition. Join us to learn how your organization can lead this shift and become a trusted voice in an era of division and uncertainty. |
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09:45 |
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Keynote: Richard Vine, Executive Editor at Guardian News & Media The Guardian x Tesco: The Exclusive Feast Partnership Description coming soon Richard VineExecutive Editor of UK Advertising at The Guardian Richard is Executive Editor of the Guardian’s UK Advertising team, overseeing the award-winning branded content created by Guardian Labs across digital, print, video, audio, and social. He also presents the annual trend report Shift Happens. With a background spanning the Guardian’s TV desk, daily features section, and iconic entertainment supplement the Guide, Richard brings a sharp editorial voice and strategic storytelling to commercial projects… and is a firm believer that the human algorithm will save us all |
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10:15 |
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Caffeinate & Stretch |
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10:45 |
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Track 1: Panel Discussion: Hosted by Julia Linehan Founder and CEO, The Digital Voice™ PR Agency Ltd (UK) Four C’s of 2025: Content, Curation, Contextual & CTV As advertisers shift toward more engaging, non-disruptive ad experiences, native advertising is evolving to leverage content, CTV, curation, and contextual targeting for better personalisation. Moderated by Julia Linehan, CEO and Founder, The Digital Voice™ Panellists:
Julia LinehanFounder & CEO at The Digital Voice™ PR Agency Ltd Julia Linehan founded The Digital Voice™ in 2012 and has built up a well loved B2B AdTech specialist PR agency and team who live and breathe all things PR, communications, content, creative, multimedia, events, social media and digital marketing. Known for her boundless energy, she started her career in digital advertising at Dennis Publishing 29 years ago and has been at the heart of the changing digital media landscape ever since. |
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Track 2: Devina Seth, Director, Brand Partnerships at BBC Studios (AUS) Description coming soon Description coming soon |
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Track 3: Nico Sarti, Vice President, Global Creative Strategy at Condé Nast (UK) Campaign Case: Through a New Lens, by Condé Nast Creative Commercial team, for W Hotels / Marriott |
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11:15 |
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Track 1: Luke Spano, CEO of Avid Collective (AUS) Keynote: Addressing the 5 Major Barriers of Branded Content That Are Key To Making It A Leading Ad Channel Branded content offers unique benefits for advertisers, which should mean it is the most valuable revenue stream for publishers. However despite its high value, it represents a very low percentage of the $1tn of global client spend. Why is that?
Luke SpanoCEO at Avid Collective (AUS) Luke Spano is the Founder & CEO at Avid Collective, Australia's home of branded content. Avid Collective has emerged as a prominent player in the advertising and publishing industry under Luke’s leadership. The business has seen exponential growth since its inception in 2021, on the back of developing a highly powerful solution to a complex problem - connecting over 140 digital publishers with hundreds of advertisers through its proprietary platform. Avid has since evolved further, introducing Avid PubSuite, a purpose-built SaaS platform, designed to help publishers simplify workflows, enhance advertiser experience, and maximise revenue from branded content. Luke has a set of valuable skills and interests including strategic planning, product design, business development, marketing strategy, and business process improvement. |
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Track 2: Panel Discussion: Hosted by Nadim Batista-Kuttab, CEO & CO-Founder at Xevio Description coming soon Description coming soon Nadim Batista-KuttabCEO & Co-Founder at Xevio Nadim is a native ads veteran, working closely with native advertising networks bring agency, brand, and affiliate spend to new heights globally. From growing a multi-million-dollar native ads agency, building out the premier native advertising community on www.native-hub.io, to spending $100s of millions on native ads globally – Nadim has worked on a sizable chunk of the largest native ad accounts out there. With his near-decade of experience, regular stage presences, and enthusiasm for the space, Nadim is one of the most well known figures in the native ads space globally. |
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Track 3: Bram de Leeuw, Creative Strategy Director at &C Media Campaign Case: For Pussies Only, by &C the Brandstudio Description coming soon Bram de LeeuwCreative Strategy Director at &C Media I have been working in advertising for 15+ years at several agencies, like DDB, DMB&B, Leo Burnett, JWT, Y&R, Wunderman, TaskForce Agency. Mainly in strategy & creative roles. Back in 2015 I have been dedicated involved in setting up and developing the Dutch publishers platform '&C Media' and its 360-content brand '&C', (monthly glossy magazines, specials, online platform, social media, e-commerce, tv-formats, live events) and focussing on a target audience of women 20-48 years. &C was launched in 2017. As Creative Director I am also part of '&C the brandstudio', our in-house creative content agency, developing, producing and distributing branded content campaigns mostly as part of a collaboration with one of the content titles of &C Media. |
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11:50 |
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Track 1: Megan Gilbert, VP of Fortune Brand Studio (US) Staying Power: How Iberdrola and Fortune Brand Studio Pivoted, Communicated, and Uncovered the Right Story Description coming soon Megan GilbertVice President at FORTUNE Brand Studio (US) Megan Gilbert is Vice President of the award-winning FORTUNE Brand Studio (Fortune Media), driving editorial direction, strategy, and production of campaigns for clients such as Salesforce, AWS and PayPal. Her career includes positions at Gawker/Gizmodo, Fusion/Univision, The Washington Post, Slate, and VICE. Megan is a graduate of Boston University and earned her M.F.A. in nonfiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches Branded Content at New York University. She was named WICMA Content Marketer of the Year (2022) and was included on the 100 Most Significant Women in Native Advertising list (2018). |
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Track 2: Tom Jenen, Advisor: Accenture Song, Assertive Yield, ClarityAds; Xoogler, ex McKinsey (UK) How to navigate the Branded Content Tech Stack Description coming soon Tom JenenChief Revenue Officer, ClarityAds With 25 years in advertising and media technology, Tom works with tech and media companies in the U.S. and Europe to accelerate global commercial activity, and advises on corporate and strategic and revenue strategies, and often serves as a nonexecutive director. Among other roles, Tom helps lead ClarityAds, a managed service for content promotion, and Accenture's retail media practice. Tom has held senior roles at Google (established the company's first premium programmatic team), Admeld (the first SSP), Polar (one of the first native adservers) and served as Advisor to McKinsey and many others. Tom is based in London. |
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Track 3: Max Schüler, Director of Schibsted Brand Studio (SE) Campaign Case: Animal Life, by Schibsted Brand Studio SE for FirstVet AB Description coming soon
Max SchülerDirector of Schibsted Brand Studio Max Schüler is the Director of Schibsted Brand Studio at Schibsted Marketing Services in Sweden, Stockholm. Our mission is to significantly increase profitable growth in content marketing. Schibsted Brand Studio delivers high-quality, creative content marketing solutions based on demand from Schibsted's advertisers. I feel honored to have the opportunity to participate and facilitate a round table session about data together with world leading content creators |
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12:20 |
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Lunch |
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LunchLab: RoundTable Discussion hosted by Adam Sangster, VP at Ceros (US) Not Just Another Sponsored Post: What Advertisers Want & How to Deliver Let's be real: long-form articles should be long-gone from your sponsored strategy. Brands are leaning into more engaging formats—scrollytelling, quizzes, dynamic visuals—while traditional tactics fade. Join us as we discuss the challenges of scaling high-value branded content, what's working (and what's not), and how publishers can stand out with premium storytelling. Adam SangsterVP at Ceros Adam is the Vice President of Channel Revenue at Ceros, a leading platform that empowers brands, publishers, and agencies to create immersive, interactive content without code. With over a decade of experience in the SaaS and media industries, he has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and building high-performing teams. From launching new verticals to scaling operations and refining market fit, Adam operates at the intersection of creativity and strategic execution. His teams at Ceros have helped agencies and publishers push the boundaries of digital storytelling, transforming how brands engage audiences through premium, interactive content. |
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LunchLab: RoundTable Discussion hosted by Luke Spano, CEO and Tom Gunther, Co-Founder & Head of New Markets at Avid Collective (AUS) Improving the advertiser experience, how can we make content more accessible to advertisers to increase buy in and use of the channel If we want more advertisers to invest in branded content, we need to ask: how easy is it for them to actually buy and run it? Are we removing the friction — or adding to it? Join Avid Collective for an open conversation on how publishers can improve ways of working and adopt technology and platforms to help make it easier for advertisers to plan and buy content campaigns Luke SpanoCEO at Avid Collective (AUS) Luke Spano is the Founder & CEO at Avid Collective, Australia's home of branded content. Avid Collective has emerged as a prominent player in the advertising and publishing industry under Luke’s leadership. The business has seen exponential growth since its inception in 2021, on the back of developing a highly powerful solution to a complex problem - connecting over 140 digital publishers with hundreds of advertisers through its proprietary platform. Avid has since evolved further, introducing Avid PubSuite, a purpose-built SaaS platform, designed to help publishers simplify workflows, enhance advertiser experience, and maximise revenue from branded content. Luke has a set of valuable skills and interests including strategic planning, product design, business development, marketing strategy, and business process improvement. |
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13:10 |
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Track 1: WMG Panel Discussion: Hosted by Jamie Credland, CEO of World Group Media WMG w. WMG Members (???) What's Next in Native Advertising Description coming soon Jamie CredlandCEO of World Media Group As the CEO for the World Media Group, I champion the commercial value and creativity of some of the world's most trusted media brands, including The New York Times, BBC Studios, The Economist and The Wall Street Journal. Having previously led B2B marketing at The Economist, I'm very familiar with the value that strong native advertising can deliver for clients. Previous to that, I worked at the media agency UM London. |
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Track 2: Panel Discussions: Hosted by Ellen Cabrinetti Meum, Head of Product and Tech at Schibsted Partnerstudio (NO) Do You Really Need an AI Evangelist? And Other Awkward Questions About Getting AI to Work Every organization wants to be “AI-ready” — but the reality is often messier than the mission statement. This panel takes a clear-eyed look at what makes AI adoption succeed or stall: from overhyped roles to underdefined strategies, and from internal silos to questions of control. Less buzz, more behind-the-scenes. Takeaways
Ellen Cabrinetti MeumHead of Product and Tech at Schibsted Partnerstudio (NO) Ellen Cabrinetti Meum leads tech and business development at Schibsted Partnerstudio, where she helps organizations turn AI from ambitious plans into real-world results. With a background in strategic sales, AI implementation, and digital transformation, she’s seen firsthand what makes AI succeed—and what makes it stall. She’s particularly interested in the human side of AI: the roles, the politics, and the awkward moments when hype meets reality. |
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Track 3: Andy Sitta, Former Head of Seznam Brand Studio (CZ) Campaign Case: The Road to Joy is Simple by Seznam Brand Studio for Dacia Description coming soon Andy SittaHead of Seznam Brand Studio (CZ) As a professional marketer educated in the UK and Australia, with an agency background from London, I am currently reshaping the digital advertising landscape in Czechia as the Head of Seznam Brand Studio, which I founded. My career-long mission is to improve the quality of ads for both clients and readers. By leveraging a variety of formats including articles, videos, podcasts, and others, my team and I connect the largest Czech online audience with brands, effectively telling clients' stories in a visually captivating and engaging manner that drives business results.
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13:45 |
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Track 1: Juliane Sydow, General Director Axel springer Brand Studios, Media Impact (DE) & Yvonne Beister, Content- & Strategy-Director Axel Springer Brand Studios (DE) Description coming soon Description coming soon Yvonne BeisterContent- & Strategy-Director Axel Springer Brand Studios Yvonne Beister is the Director of the Axel Springer Brand Studios, the largest content marketing unit of Axel Springer Company. There she has successfully developed more than 1000 cross-media campaigns and storytelling concepts for all major German brands within the last six years and has been awarded with the Native Advertising Award several times and nominated for the Nova Award of the BdZV, among others. According to the Native Advertising Institute, she is one of the 100 most successful women in the advertising industry. Until 2016, Yvonne Beister was responsible for the entertainment department of Europe’s biggest news-brand, BILD, won the Axel Springer Prize for Young Journalists in 2009 and headed the Springer bureau in Los Angeles, California. Beister studied media management at Ohio State University and journalism at the Columbia School of Journalism in New York. Juliane SydowGeneral Director Axel springer Brand Studios, Media Impact Juliane Sydow heads the Axel Springer Brand Studios by Media Impact, the marketing arm of Axel Springer Publishing House. The studio produces multimedia campaigns for the largest advertising clients in the German market. Juliane has a diploma in business administration and media consulting and lives with her children in Berlin. |
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Track 2: Panel Discussion: Hosted by Romy Oltuski, Executive Editor at Forbes Content & Design Studio (US) Are We Cooked? How AI Will Affect Us Now and in the Future Description coming soon Romy OltuskiExecutive Editor at Forbes Content & Design Studio Romy Oltuski is the executive editor of the Forbes Content & Design Studio, which produces high-impact storytelling experiences across Forbes platforms, in partnership with leading brands. She was previously the features director of InStyle. Romy has published work in The New York Times, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, and interviewed changemakers from Katie Couric and Stacey Abrams to Amy Schumer and Tina Fey. She is a graduate of Tufts University and the Columbia Publishing Course, and is completing an MFA at Sarah Lawrence College. |
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14:15 |
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Caffeinate & Stretch |
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RT Hotspot: RoundTable Discussion hosted by Adam Sangster, VP at Ceros (US) Not Just Another Sponsored Post: What Advertisers Want & How to Deliver Let's be real: long-form articles should be long-gone from your sponsored strategy. Brands are leaning into more engaging formats—scrollytelling, quizzes, dynamic visuals—while traditional tactics fade. Join us as we discuss the challenges of scaling high-value branded content, what's working (and what's not), and how publishers can stand out with premium storytelling. Adam SangsterVP at Ceros Adam is the Vice President of Channel Revenue at Ceros, a leading platform that empowers brands, publishers, and agencies to create immersive, interactive content without code. With over a decade of experience in the SaaS and media industries, he has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and building high-performing teams. From launching new verticals to scaling operations and refining market fit, Adam operates at the intersection of creativity and strategic execution. His teams at Ceros have helped agencies and publishers push the boundaries of digital storytelling, transforming how brands engage audiences through premium, interactive content. |
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RT Hotspot: RoundTable Discussion hosted by Luke Spano, CEO and Tom Gunther, Co-Founder & Head of New Markets at Avid Collective at Avid Collective (AUS) Improving the advertiser experience, how can we make content more accessible to advertisers to increase buy in and use of the channel If we want more advertisers to invest in branded content, we need to ask: how easy is it for them to actually buy and run it? Are we removing the friction — or adding to it? Join Avid Collective for an open conversation on how publishers can improve ways of working and adopt technology and platforms to help make it easier for advertisers to plan and buy content campaigns Luke SpanoCEO at Avid Collective (AUS) Luke Spano is the Founder & CEO at Avid Collective, Australia's home of branded content. Avid Collective has emerged as a prominent player in the advertising and publishing industry under Luke’s leadership. The business has seen exponential growth since its inception in 2021, on the back of developing a highly powerful solution to a complex problem - connecting over 140 digital publishers with hundreds of advertisers through its proprietary platform. Avid has since evolved further, introducing Avid PubSuite, a purpose-built SaaS platform, designed to help publishers simplify workflows, enhance advertiser experience, and maximise revenue from branded content. Luke has a set of valuable skills and interests including strategic planning, product design, business development, marketing strategy, and business process improvement. |
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14:45 |
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Track 3: Ali Gray, VP & Executive Creative Director at Freethink Media (UK/US) Campaign Case: Perception Box by Freethink Creative Studio for Unlikely Collaborators Description coming soon Ali GrayVP & Executive Creative Director at Freethink Ali is VP & Executive Creative Director at Freethink Media. She heads up the Creative Studio team, and oversees the strategy and creative execution for all custom content across Freethink.com and Bigthink.com, including documentaries, interviews, social assets and written features. Before Freethink, she served as Director of Branded Content at Hearst UK and as commissioning editor at The Telegraph. Before entering the exciting world of custom content, she was an entertainment journalist in NYC, where she had the joy of interviewing many of her favourite celebrities - including Ryan Gosling, Demi Moore and Selena Gomez. Sadly, Taylor Swift is still on the bucket list. |
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15:25 |
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Track 1: Raquel Bubar, Managing Director, T Brand Studio International, The New York Times (US) A Peak Into The New York Times Ecosystem & The Linked by Love Story Description coming soon Raquel BubarManaging Director, T Brand Studio International, The New York Times Raquel Bubar leads the international arm of T Brand, the branded content studio in The New York Times Advertising department. T Brand Studio International spans offices in London, Paris and Singapore. Born in 2015 to represent the NYT’s international push into global creative partnerships, Raquel has built its reputation for high-quality branded content around the world. Raquel heads up a creative, strategic and insights-based team of creative strategists, designers, editors, project managers, technologists and audience development experts who tell impactful stories for a global audience who wants to engage with the world. The team has achieved international recognition and awards for its innovative and creative campaigns, particularly for partners including UBS, Philips, Rimowa, Pomellato, Unilever and Cartier. Raquel has been a judge and co-chair of the World Media Awards and Native Advertising Awards, in addition to being a speaker at both events. She has also spoken at IAA-U.K., IAB-Madrid, City Nation Place, nextMedia.Hamburg, VideoWeek London and AdWeek London. Raquel first joined The New York Times in the New York headquarters before relocating to London to launch creative operations in Europe and Asia. Prior to T Brand Studio, Raquel led digital public relations and social media campaigns at Edelman, based in Washington, D.C. and New York. She has a M.A. from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in History and Psychology from Brandeis University. She is from Washington, DC and now lives in London with her husband and son. |
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15:55 |
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Keynote: Panel Discussion Hosted by Jesper Laursen, CEO of Native Advertising Institute CMO Voices: Behind the Buy: What Makes CMOs Say Yes to Native Advertising Join us for an exclusive panel discussion with three executive decision-makers who hold the keys to native advertising investment on the brand side. This dynamic session will unpack:
This session offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the experts shaping native advertising strategies at the highest level. Whether you work at a media company, agency, or within a brand’s marketing team, you’ll walk away with fresh perspectives and practical takeaways to strengthen your approach. |
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16:25 |
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Keynote: TBA TBA |
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16:45 |
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Round Off With Stine Holmgaard & Jesper Laursen from Native Advertising Institute |
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19:30 |
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Award Show Join us in Celebrating the Winners of Native Advertising Awards 2025 It’s time to reveal the winners of the Native Advertising Awards 2025! Join us for a festive evening celebrating the best in native advertising. We’ll kick things off with champagne before announcing winners on stage in selected categories. The rest of the evening is all about celebration, and plenty of networking with the brightest minds in the industry. Dress Code: Dress as you feel most comfortable and/or go all in and release your inner winner. |
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21:00 |
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Award Party |
Discover what's now & what’s next: Learn from the industry's most influential voices
Join the innovators reshaping Native Advertising as they reveal proven strategies and emerging trends that will define marketing success in 2025. Get exclusive insights, actionable frameworks, and direct access to thought leaders who are driving billions in revenue through native campaigns.

Richard Vine

Ellen Cabrinetti Meum

Imran Rashid

Pete Wallace

Minai Bui

Filippo Garmigna

Max Schüler

Raquel Bubar

Luke Spano

Megan Gilbert

Julia Linehan

Jamie Credland

Andy Sitta

Tom Jenen

Romy Oltuski

Yvonne Beister

Juliane Sydow

Bram de Leeuw

Nico Sarti

Innovation, insights, and networking at Kings Place
Kings Place is a renowned cultural hub in the heart of London, celebrated for its world-class architecture and vibrant arts programming. Home to concert halls and event spaces of exceptional acoustic quality, it serves as a gathering place for creativity, innovation, and collaboration. With its rich cultural significance, Kings Place offers the perfect setting to inspire and connect the world's leading minds in native advertising.

Unlike other conferences, there were real opportunities to make meaningful connections with fellow marketers, agencies, and publishers - sharing real stories, successes and setbacks affecting the industry today. Highly recommend this event to anyone working in the branded content space.'
Veronica ValdesGlobal Director, Creative Strategy at Condé Nast
What’s that?
There is also an award celebration?
That’s right. And the Native Advertising Awards US 2025 shortlist is here. A huge congratulations to all the incredible nominees!
This year’s shortlist was selected by nearly 300 expert judges from across the globe—leaders in native advertising and branded content.
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