WAN-Ifra has launched its ‘publishing meets technology’ Innovation Day concept with a first event in Amsterdam.

Telegraaf Media Group took on the job of networking enablers on Wednesday, bringing together publishers and technology suppliers to exchange ideas and discuss new and emerging tools and systems for creative digital advertising.

“The concept is designed to provide a networking platform where publishers, established suppliers, upcoming tech companies and others can focus on a specific challenge in the publishing industry,” says Ioana Sträter, executive director of exhibitions and tech accelerators.

“This was the first in a series of Innovation Days focussing on the hottest technologies, and we are really pleased that the event was sold out, with around 60 participants.”

The event format mixed presentations with ‘enlightening talk’ sessions where participants shared their experiences on advertising and technology. It was organised around two main themes – technologies to reach and engage the customer, and technologies to better organise the selling process.

The programme can be found at http://tinyurl.com/bo3aol2

Presenters at the event included Tom Ewing, digital culture officer of Brainjuicer Labs, Marcel Udo, managing partner of Strictly Digital, Jay Stevens, senior vice president and general manager of the Rubicon Project and Giovanni Giuffrida, chief executive and co-founder of Geodata.

The Rubicon Project was the main sponsor of the event, which had strong support from both the supplier and publisher community. Other sponsors included Anais, enreach, Neodata Group, and Platform 161. Publishing partners included Telegraaf Media Group, the International Classified Media Association, and NDP Nieuwsmedia.

Sträter says a schedule of future Innovation Days will be announced during the northern summer. Contact her for more information, ioana.straeter@wan-ifra.org