Media Mayhem: Gai Le Roy – ‘I do worry that some reforms are using advertising reform as a simplistic lever rather than developing policies’

How is the operating environment impacting your team, clients and partners?

While overall investment in digital advertising has been positive over the last year, growth is incredibly mixed.  Many organisations have had to cuts costs and reduce workforces while there are other sectors of the market that are emerging and growing. Changing market conditions has led many companies to lean even more heavily on their trade associations and we have seen a raft of new members who are looking to make the most of our training, events, mentoring, grow their networks, assist in the development of new standards and improve industry best practices. The IAB is incredibly lucky to have a diverse and supportive board that ensures we are set up to develop and design initiatives that benefit the whole market.

What changes are you seeing in consumer behaviour and preferences?

There is still strong consumption of traditional categories such as news and entertainment as well growth in ad supported CTV content use however there has been a significant engagement uptick in any information and services that may assist with managing cost of living pressures. Over the last year more people are spending more time searching for energy and insurance deals, making the most of loyalty and cash back programs as well as spending longer on commerce sites as they spend more time researching and bargain hunting.