The 2026 IAB NewFronts, scheduled for March 23–26 in New York City, signals the arrival of a real-time, always-on video marketplace driven by AI innovations in insights, creative execution, measurement, attribution, and optimization. This premier event equips brands, agencies, and buyers with critical perspectives on streaming, CTV, content-commerce integrations, and technologies that tie video performance directly to business outcomes, enabling earlier and more informed investment planning.
Quick Intel
The 2026 IAB NewFronts arrives at a transformative moment for the video advertising industry, where the marketplace operates in real time and increasingly relies on AI-driven capabilities. Brands and agencies will converge in New York City to explore how advancements in content, commerce integrations, streaming, and connected TV (CTV) are reshaping investment strategies to deliver measurable business impact.
David Cohen, CEO of IAB, emphasized the unprecedented pace of change. "I cannot remember a more dynamic time in the industry. Every facet of the business is being reinvented and the days of impressions as a proxy for results are fading. Streaming and CTV are now performance-driven channels, directly accountable for business outcomes," said David Cohen, CEO, IAB. "AI is now embedded across the entire value chain, reshaping how content is created, how media is bought and sold, and how performance is measured. IAB NewFronts is the premiere industry event that provides a clear look at what is ahead."
The four-day event is designed for transaction-ready buyers, featuring live presentations from leading companies in video, streaming, and CTV solutions. These sessions focus on tools and platforms that streamline activation, deliver advanced measurement, and enable ongoing optimization across fragmented digital environments.
For the third year, the dedicated IAB Main Stage on March 25 will bring together key stakeholders to discuss evolving video investment approaches amid AI integration, commerce opportunities, and the need for cross-platform performance. Complementing the programming, the Recharge Lounge sponsored by A+E Networks will facilitate idea exchange and relationship building.
"As the video landscape continues to evolve and boundaries are blurred between content, culture, commerce, creator, and more, this year's IAB NewFronts will spotlight the exciting innovations redefining video and how audiences engage across streaming and digital platforms," said Jamie Finstein, Vice President, Media Center, IAB. "It's a pivotal moment where meaningful partnerships are built to meet the demands of an always on marketplace."
The event underscores the industry's move toward an always-on model, where continuous investment and AI-powered execution replace traditional seasonal planning. Attendees will gain actionable insights to navigate this shift and position video as a core driver of business results.
About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 700 leading media companies, brands, agencies, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and collaboration of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.
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