Relevant Digital

The technical infrastructure of digital advertising is transforming. The disappearance of third-party cookies, increasing browser restrictions, and tightening privacy regulations are challenging the logic of browser-based advertising. Publishers are now looking for better ways to manage their data, performance, and ad inventory. Trusted Server might be part of the answer. IAB Tech Lab developed Trusted Server, an open-source server-side solution designed to give publishers more technical control over programmatic advertising. Shifting key advertising processes from the browser to the server enables better data control, reduces third-party dependency, and improves site performance. Although Trusted Server is still under development, it is already generating significant interest and discussion. Is it a real solution—or just another layer of complexity? Who stands to benefit—and what kind of readiness does it require? In Relevant Digital blog, I explain Trusted Server and why its role in the future of programmatic advertising is worth considering. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dzytHT6t #TrustedServer #AdTech #ProgrammaticAdvertising #DigitalPublishing #RelevantDigital

April means spring 🌱, the time of fresh new leaves. And well... fresh takes on some topics in digital advertising. This month at Relevant Digital, we’re diving into #TrustedServer and what it means for #publishers. IAB Tech Lab introduced it recently, and there’s already a mix of opinions out there. We’ll share our perspective and hopefully help make things a bit clearer for. We’re also revisiting two familiar themes: multivariate testing and making the most of your own ad sales data. With #AI stepping in, how does testing evolve? And beyond your ad tech stack, how can your own sales data help you boost monetisation? If you're curious, subscribe to our monthly newsletter here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dwR7yZeD Got a topic you’d like us to cover? Just drop us a message—we're all ears. #newsletter #adsales #admonetisation

🍹 The Header Bitter, The Optimizer's Old Fashioned, and a room full of people who run ad tech? Yes, please. Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8, the evening before Digital Day Camp, at Watson's Bar in Toronto, Relevant Digital is proud to co-sponsor Trenches of AdTech—a no-pitches, no-panels, just-real-talk meetup for ad ops, product, and engineering folks. If you're in town, join us for snacks, drinks, and some honest conversations about the good, the bad, and the duct tape. RSVP here → https://lnkd.in/ddwGweAm JS.Consulting #adtech #monetization #opspeople #relevantdigital #digitaldaycamp #ddc #ddc2025

It’s time for the weekly wrap! 🗞️ Dive into the latest from week 14 in ad tech news, curated by Relevant Digital for Digital Publishers, to keep you informed: 1️⃣ 🧩 Digiday’s Ad Tech Briefing explored whether Google’s curation tool is a meaningful shift in the balance of power toward publishers – or a tactical move to maintain influence amid antitrust pressure. Link: https://lnkd.in/dabr93RN 2️⃣ 📊  Digiday+ Research highlighted how subscriptions and events are becoming increasingly important revenue streams for publishers in 2025, even as direct-sold ads remain dominant. Link: https://lnkd.in/d424Di9K 3️⃣ 🎧 Spotify officially launched its ad exchange (SAX), opening inventory to programmatic buyers and introducing generative AI audio ad tools for small and mid-sized advertisers. Link: https://lnkd.in/dKRgDU5w 4️⃣ 🌱  IAB Europe introduced LEAF, a new sustainability platform with tools like OpenGHG and CreativeLi to help publishers and advertisers measure and reduce emissions in digital campaigns. Link: https://lnkd.in/dQsBsQF8 5️⃣  📉  WARC downgraded its 2025 global ad spend forecast by $20 billion, citing weaker brand spending and cautious market sentiment despite the expected recovery in performance channels. Link: https://lnkd.in/di-hQxdC 6️⃣ ⚖️ France’s competition authority fined apple $162 million for using its App Tracking Transparency tool in a way that harmed smaller publishers and skewed competition. Link: https://lnkd.in/d_p-9m5S 7️⃣ 🏛️ A new ExchangeWire analysis looks at Labour’s first steps in reshaping UK ad tech, from AI investment and copyright reform to stronger platform regulation and industry support measures. Link: https://lnkd.in/d82Pay_b #adtech #programmatic #digitalpublishing #publisherstrategy #digitalmedia #googleantitrust #curation #privacytech #dataprivacy #sustainability #audioadvertising #headerbidding #relevantdigital

After a week at home, time to hit the road again. Next up Toronto and Digital Day Camp together with Samantha Giaver, really looking forward to it.

It is always a pleasure to return to Germany! Thank you, Admanagerforum, Monika Schott and Alexander Schott, for another inspiring and well-organised event. It was a joy to be part of it. At the event, Olli took the stage to demonstrate how AI can make ad monetisation smarter, faster and more efficient. The presentation on Relevant AI, our AI assistant integrated into the Relevant Yield platform, received fantastic feedback and even some “wow” moments from the audience. Relevant AI helps ad sales teams streamline operations through real-time insights, performance optimisation, automated reporting and multilingual support. It is designed to simplify complexity, save time and support better decisions across all ad inventory. Thank you to everyone who joined the session and came by to connect. The future of ad monetisation is intelligent, and it is already here. #AI #AdMonetisation #AdTech #RelevantYield #RelevantAI #Programmatic #Adopsforum #Adops

Great to spend quality time in London last week with the Independent Publishers Alliance. Their March event, "The Future of Publisher Monetisation", offered valuable insights—not just into programmatic strategies, but also direct sales and the power of first-party data. Too often, industry events focus on challenges and solutions that don’t quite reflect the realities of independent and smaller publishers. That’s why curated events like this are so important—they fill in the gaps and give a voice to those who are often underrepresented. Thanks to Alex Newberry and Jon for organising a brilliant event and bringing together such thoughtful speakers. We're proud that Relevant Digital could support this initiative and be part of the conversation. #thealliance #publishermonetisation

It’s time for the weekly wrap! 🗞️ Dive into the latest from week 13 in ad tech news, curated by Relevant Digital for Digital Publishers, to keep you informed and ahead: 1️⃣ 📉 Digiday’s Ad Tech Briefing questioned whether a forced breakup of Google would meaningfully change the ecosystem as the industry evolves faster than regulation can keep up. Link: https://lnkd.in/dupi6d_4 2️⃣ 🔐 IAB Tech Lab’s Trusted Server Framework sparked debate over whether publishers can truly regain control of their data or if it simply introduces another layer of complexity. Link: https://lnkd.in/dnari3yQ 3️⃣ 💡 Signal Shift 2025, IAB Tech Lab’s flagship event, highlighted key industry shifts around privacy, PETs and advertiser expectations with a strong push for publishers to innovate. Link: https://lnkd.in/dBqN5VGV 4️⃣ 🇬🇧 The UK’s ICO made it clear that online tracking will be a top enforcement priority this year, urging publishers and platforms alike to focus on meaningful consent and consumer control. Link: https://lnkd.in/duhfkqPi 5️⃣ 🧭  Digiday’s roundup of publisher strategies showcased how media brands like Forbes and The Guardian are adapting in 2025 from platform bets to revenue diversification. Link: https://lnkd.in/dbThMzys 6️⃣ 🧩 A new report on curation revealed how publishers are starting to engage with curated marketplaces more strategically, not out of trust but out of necessity, as open market revenues decline. Link: https://lnkd.in/dDKbmkcJ #adtech #digitalpublishing #programmatic #googleantitrust #privacytech #pets #trustedserver #curation #publisherstrategy #mediainnovation #ico #dataprivacy #headerbidding #digitalmedia #relevantdigital

Free Webinar: AI for Publishers – Smarter Decisions, Better Monetisation 🗓️ April 9 | 🕑 3:00–3.30 PM CET | 💻 Online Are you curious how an AI Assistant can support smarter, faster decision-making in ad operations? In just 30 minutes, you'll discover AI assistant helps publishing teams automate routine tasks, improve efficiency, and optimise ad monetisation with real-time insights. What we’ll cover: • Why AI belongs in ad monetisation • Key features that support daily work • Real-life examples and practical tips 👉 Open to all publishers, ad ops professionals, and revenue teams. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dVasHw5n #webinar #adops #publishing #adtech #AIforpublishers #revenuegrowth

🌟 The Future of Publisher Monetisation – Tomorrow! 🌟 As we gear up for tomorrow’s event, we want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to our sponsor, Relevant Digital. Your support has been invaluable in making this event possible. We’re excited to welcome everyone to our new venue – the historic Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London. A perfect setting for a day of insightful discussions around the future of independent publishing and revenue strategies. The Alliance is proud to support and champion the independent publisher community — tomorrow’s event is a fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas, and look ahead at what’s next for our industry. See you there! #Publishing #IndependentMedia #DigitalAdvertising #AdTech #PublisherMonetisation #TheAlliance #BrandedContent #Programmatic Relevant Digital,Jonathan Westbrook, Chris Dicker, Julia Barrass, David Buttle, Andrew Webb, Connectopia Ltd