Industry Leaders Convene to Shape Gaming's Advertising Evolution
NEW YORK, March 4, 2025 -- As billions of gamers worldwide reshape entertainment, IAB PlayFronts returns on April 1, 2025, taking place at Convene (360 Madison Avenue) in New York City. Hosted by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the digital media and marketing trade association, the flagship event will bring together gaming powerhouses, streaming platforms, and ad tech leaders to decode the next chapter of brand engagement in gaming.
IAB PlayFronts is the premier event where industry leaders from leading gaming studios, streaming platforms, and advertising technology innovators come together to share valuable consumer insights and unveil the latest cutting-edge creative opportunities. This year, attendees will explore how brands can unlock new revenue streams, engage with emerging audiences, and create impactful ad experiences that deliver superior experiences for today's gamers.
"Gaming has transcended entertainment to become a cultural force, with over 3 billion players worldwide and new platforms emerging daily. At this pivotal moment, IAB remains committed to bringing together the brightest minds in advertising and technology to unlock gaming's full potential for brands," said Carryl Pierre-Drews, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, IAB. "IAB PlayFronts is at the forefront of this transformation, providing brands with the tools and insights they need to leverage gaming's unmatched reach, attention, and engagement, and create advertising experiences that reach new audiences."
"With the promise of AI finally coming to fruition, we are in the midst of an information revolution and our ability to use data to target audiences is unprecedented. Reach and scale have become table stakes. What will set brands apart is their ability to connect with audiences in authentic ways through storytelling and community, both of which are central to gaming," said Zoe Soon, VP, Experience, IAB. "Gaming is also a great way for brands to connect with valuable, hard to reach audiences. With over 90% of Gen Z and Gen Alpha identifying as gamers and over 70% of moms, it's no surprise that more than 90% of advertisers are turning to gaming to engage with these coveted audiences."
2025 IAB PlayFronts Presenter Schedule
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
8:00 - 9:00 AM Registration & Networking Breakfast |
9:00 - 9:05 AM Welcome Remarks David Cohen, CEO, IAB |
9:05 - 9:30 AM Playing by the Rules of our Own Game Opening Keynote by Zoe Soon, VP Experience, IAB |
9:30 - 9:50 AM Changing The Game: How Discord Is Reinventing Marketing in Gaming & Internet Culture for a New Generation |
9:50 - 10:10 AM Leveling Up: How a Leading Beverage Brand Moved Gaming from a Vertical to Horizontal |
10:10 - 10:30 AM Where Gamification Closes the Gap Between Awareness and Action |
10:30 - 11:15 AM |
11:15 - 11:25 AM The Intersection of Gaming and Advertising: Where Marketers Thrive Presentation by Unity |
11:25 - 11:45 AM Presentation by Digital Turbine |
11:45 - 11:55 AM Presentation by Google, LLC |
12:00 - 12:05 PM Lunch Intro |
12:05 - 1:00 PM Lunch |
1:00 - 1:20 PM The Last Oasis of Attention: Advertisers' Survival Guide to the Noise Era Presentation by Overwolf Ads |
1:20 - 1:30 PM The New Influence Pipeline: Leveraging Livestreams, Gaming, and Podcasts to Capture the Next Generation Presentation by Playwire |
1:30 - 1:50 PM Gaming's Next Level: Harnessing the Power of Platforms to Engage Players Everywhere Presentation by Activision Blizzard Media |
1:50 - 2:00 PM Breaking the Silo: How Social Reconnects Creative & Media |
2:00 - 2:20 PM The Power of Fandom: How to Engage Gen-Z in the Gaming World Presentation by Fandom |
2:25 - 2:40 PM Presentation by Bent Pixels |
2:40 - 3:00 PM |
3:00 - 3:45 PM |
3:45 - 4:05 PM Winning with Gen Alpha & Gen Z: Helping Brands Safely & Effectively Connect with Mobile Gaming Audiences |
4:05 - 4:30 PM |
4:30 - 4:50 PM Change the Game. Make Your Brand Playable. |
4:50 - 5:00 PM Closing Remarks |
5:00 - 6:00 PM Networking Reception |
All times are in ET; Speakers and timing are subject to change. For an up-to-the-minute agenda, please refer to the IAB website.
This event is invite-only for qualified brand marketers and agency professionals. For more information on IAB PlayFronts or to request a pass, please visit: https://iab.com/playfronts.
About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.
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