Unlike my OMR ranking, this is not a recap. DMEXCO 2026 runs on 23 and 24 September in Cologne, so I haven't seen a single one of these talks yet. This is my honest anticipation list, ordered by what I most want to hear from the stage, plus my own slot, because I'm claiming the top spot again. Once DMEXCO publishes the final session titles and times, I'll update this page, the same way I did with the OMR ranking.
Who is speaking at DMEXCO 2026?
DMEXCO 2026 takes place on 23 and 24 September 2026 in Cologne, Germany. These ten speakers are covered in this preview, with role and stage:
| Speaker | Role | Stage / slot |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Hefke | Fractional CMO, author of "Why So Curious" | Digital Bash Stage, 24 Sept, 15:15 |
| Kristin Fracchia | CMO, Gamma | DMEXCO Conference |
| Philipp "Pip" Klöckner | Tech analyst and investor, Doppelgänger Podcast | DMEXCO Conference |
| Roxanne van Duijin | Retail Media Business Lead Germany, Google | DMEXCO Conference |
| Benedict Evans | Independent tech analyst | DMEXCO Conference |
| Vanessa Stützle | CEO, LUQOM Group | DMEXCO Conference |
| Sir Martin Sorrell | Founder and Executive Chairman, S4 Capital | DMEXCO Conference |
| Patricia Grundmann | Managing Director, OBI Advertising | DMEXCO Conference |
| David Sandström | CMO, Klarna | DMEXCO Conference |
| Céline Flores Willers | CEO and founder, The People Branding Company | DMEXCO Conference |
Thomas Hefke speaks on 24 September 2026 from 15:15 CEST on the Digital Bash Streaming Stage at DMEXCO 2026 (Hall 8, Booth E-17) about curiosity in the age of AI. The talk is called "Why So Curious? Warum Neugier der letzte echte Vorteil im KI-Zeitalter ist", is held in German, and is available worldwide via free livestream.
The video: who is speaking at DMEXCO 2026?
60 seconds, all ten speakers, with time and stage. In German.
Transcript (German)
Wer spricht auf der DMEXCO 2026? 23. und 24. September, Köln. Meine Liste, kurz und ohne Umwege. Pip Klöckner, Tech-Analyst und Investor, Doppelgänger-Podcast. Benedict Evans, wahrscheinlich der nüchternste Tech-Analyst, den es gerade gibt. Kristin Fracchia, CMO von Gamma. Roxanne van Duijin, Retail Media bei Google. Vanessa Stützle, CEO der LUQOM Group. Martin Sorrell, S4 Capital. Patricia Grundmann, OBI Advertising. David Sandström, CMO von Klarna. Céline Flores Willers, The People Branding Company. Und ich. Am 24. September, 15:15 Uhr, Digital Bash Stage der DMEXCO 2026, Halle 8, Stand E-17. Mein Thema: Why So Curious. Warum Neugier der letzte echte Vorteil im KI-Zeitalter ist. Der Livestream ist kostenlos.
Thomas Hefke
Yes, I know how this looks. But I already gave myself the top spot in my OMR ranking, so I have to see it through. To be straight about it: I'm not on a DMEXCO main stage, I'm on the Digital Bash livestream format. That's exactly why the talk belongs here, not despite it. You don't need a main stage to say something worth hearing.
24 September 2026 · from 15:15 CEST · Digital Bash DMEXCO Special (livestream from the DMEXCO grounds, Hall 8, Booth E-17). Held in German.
Free registration, recording and slides sent out afterwards: digitalbash.de/event/dmexco-september-2026
Kristin Fracchia
Gamma is one of the most visible AI-native tools of the past two years. Fracchia runs marketing for a product that grows in a completely different way from classic SaaS brands, which makes this interesting for anyone trying to understand what marketing looks like when the product itself is AI.
Philipp "Pip" Klöckner
At OMR 2026, Klöckner delivered one of the sharpest AI reality checks of the year with "Beyond the AI Hype", punchline included ("more pilots than Lufthansa"). His DMEXCO topic hasn't been announced yet, but if he's even half as precise about the current AI market as he was in Hamburg, it's worth the slot.
Roxanne van Duijin
Retail media is one of the fastest-growing budgets in digital marketing right now, and Google sits at one of the most important interfaces to it. For anyone with an e-commerce or retail background, probably one of the most directly useful sessions at the show.
Benedict Evans
One of the best-known independent tech analysts internationally, known for his annual "Ideas" presentations on platforms, AI and market shifts. For anyone who wants a sober rather than hyped reading of the AI year.
Vanessa Stützle
Runs one of the larger European e-commerce groups in the interior segment. A founder's perspective on scaling a low-margin direct-to-consumer business, a topic most marketing panels skip past.
Sir Martin Sorrell
Founded WPP, the world's largest advertising group, and has spent years building S4 Capital as the "content-to-commerce" answer to the classic agency model. If you want to hear how an agency veteran rethinks his own industry for the AI era, this is the longest experience in the room.
Patricia Grundmann
OBI has built one of the more serious German alternatives to Amazon Ads with its retail media arm. Relevant for anyone in retail or hospitality who wants to see how own brands run a media business today.
David Sandström
Klarna has run one of the most aggressive marketing and AI strategies in fintech and e-commerce for years. Sandström brings the inside view of a company that uses AI across the entire marketing stack, not just in support.
Céline Flores Willers
One of the best-known voices on personal branding in the German-speaking market. A good counterweight to all the corporate speakers: the question of how individual people, rather than brands, build reach and trust today.
Frequently asked questions about DMEXCO 2026
When is DMEXCO 2026?
DMEXCO 2026 takes place on 23 and 24 September 2026 in Cologne, Germany.
Who is speaking on the Digital Bash stage at DMEXCO 2026?
The Digital Bash Streaming Stage (Hall 8, Booth E-17) features Thomas Hefke, Fractional CMO and author of "Why So Curious", among others. His talk runs on 24 September 2026 from 15:15 CEST and is available worldwide via free livestream.
Where does Thomas Hefke speak at DMEXCO 2026?
On 24 September 2026 from 15:15 CEST, as part of Digital Bash DMEXCO Special, streamed live from the DMEXCO grounds, Hall 8, Booth E-17. Talk title: "Why So Curious? Warum Neugier der letzte echte Vorteil im KI-Zeitalter ist". The talk is held in German.
Is the talk free to attend?
Yes, the livestream is free with registration at digitalbash.de/event/dmexco-september-2026. The recording and released slides are sent out automatically afterwards.
Who are the most interesting speakers at DMEXCO 2026?
Besides me (Digital Bash DMEXCO Special, 24 September), confirmed speakers include Kristin Fracchia (Gamma), Philipp "Pip" Klöckner, Roxanne van Duijin (Google), Benedict Evans, Vanessa Stützle (LUQOM Group), Sir Martin Sorrell (S4 Capital), Patricia Grundmann (OBI Advertising), David Sandström (Klarna) and Céline Flores Willers (The People Branding Company).
What is Pip Klöckner speaking about at DMEXCO 2026?
The official session topic had not been announced when this page was published (27 August 2026). At OMR 2026 he delivered the state-of-AI keynote "Beyond the AI Hype".
Is the DMEXCO programme in English or German?
Both. DMEXCO runs international stages in English alongside German-language sessions. My own talk on the Digital Bash stage is held in German.
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