IAB Switzerland: Six new board members

The IAB Academy continues to show encouraging growth, with over 200 participants attending digital marketing courses last year. Thanks to the implementation of numerous events and more memberships, there is also a 25 percent increase in sales. Furthermore, David Burst remains in office as president. In addition, six new people have been added to the board.

The General Assembly of IAB Switzerland in the Volkshaus in Zurich granted discharge to the entire Board. Newly elected to the board were Marco Gasser (20 minutes), Philipp Semmler (Mediaschneider), Tom Hanan (Webrepublic), Daniel Hünebeck (UBS Switzerland), Wolfgang Büchner (Ringier) and Remo Baumeler (Audienzz) elected.

This is a clear commitment by the IAB to be an association for the interests of the entire digital advertising industry. David Burst was re-elected as President. The Executive Committee continues to consist of one representative each from the publisher, client and agency sides, as well as the Managing Director and his deputy. As in previous years, the IAB can look back on many well-attended events, trade publications and excellent finances in 2015 - not least because of the well-positioned Executive Committee and Board.

Focus 2016/17

The IAB has responded to the demands from the market and, together with the expert groups, departments as well as focus groups, has formulated priorities. In the coming months, the working groups will focus on the following topics: Standards, Benchmark Visibility, Transparency and Market Development. The aim is to reduce complexity and increase market transparency, particularly in the areas of standards and research.

IAB Academy continues to gain ground

The importance of training in the field of digital marketing is growing continuously in Switzerland, which was also reflected in the expansion of the IAB Academy's course program in 2015. The mainstay in the past year was the already established digital marketing diploma courses, in which important basic know-how is imparted. In addition, the IAB Academy again held a training course for managers and added an intensive seminar on search engine marketing to its program. Furthermore, an entry into the field of in-house training was particularly pleasing: For a special workshop at a major Swiss bank, the IAB Academy was able to put together a tailor-made program and train employees from various marketing departments. The IAB Academy's pleasing result in 2015 was a total of 210 participants in the various course programs.

National and international presence of the IAB

In September 2015, IAB Switzerland hosted its own 120 square meter stand at Dmexco in Cologne for the first time. The Swiss country pavilion will be further expanded this year on September 14 and 15 and, together with its partners, will contribute to the Dmexco motto "Digital is everything - not every thing is digital". The "Digital Marketing Award" - the Oscars of the digital advertising industry - was again presented at Kaufleuten on November 19, 2015. The award ceremony will be cancelled this year and will instead take place as part of the planned IAB trade conference and Dmexco satellite on March 9, 2017.