DMEXCO is designed to be a central platform for the industry and a key driver of innovation. With this year’s motto, the organizers have chosen to highlight courage and risk-taking, two characteristics that have always been essential qualities of successful leaders. The ability to break new ground and drive innovation is needed now more than ever, especially given the potential applications of major future issues such as AI.
Verena Gründel, DMEXCO’s Host and Brand & Communications Director, says: “Be Bold. Move Forward. is more than just a motto. It’s a mindset and a call to action, because courage and determination are the keys to progress and success. Companies must take the next steps now. Those who wait will be left behind. Studies show that companies that invest and innovate during economic downturns grow faster than their competitors over the long term. DMEXCO 2025 will bring together pioneers, doers and innovators to seize opportunities: opportunities to share knowledge, set trends and develop forward-looking solutions. Because the future belongs to those who have the courage to shape it.”
Dirk Freytag, President of the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW), adds: “The motto expresses our goal to shake large parts of society and the economy out of their lethargy and give them the courage to experiment with new developments. New technologies open up groundbreaking opportunities. The economic and geopolitical environment we face is in flux, and the digital economy has always been a sector of shapers and bridge-builders. Exchanging ideas and providing direction are critical to its success, and that is what DMEXCO is all about.”
Be Bold: first speakers at DMEXCO 2025 confirmed
How do you implement ideas with a well-thought-out plan? What does taking risks mean? These and other questions will be addressed by high-caliber speakers across 16 stages at DMEXCO. This September’s lineup of speakers in Cologne features Carsten Maschmeyer (CEO, Maschmeyer Group), Vanessa Stützle (CEO, Luqom Group), Jean-Remy von Matt (founder, Jung von Matt), Alma Lipa (CDMO, L’Oréal DACH), Rezo (founder, Nindo), Dora Osinde (CCO, Ogilvy Group Germany), Sir Martin Sorrell (founder & executive chairman, S4 Capital), Holger Fischer (global head of brand strategy, Deutsche Bank AG) and Dr. Daniel Knapp (chief economist, IAB Europe).
Move Forward: first confirmations from DMEXCO 2025 exhibitors
The digital economy is on the move, and DMEXCO 2025 will reflect this. Many leading brands from the international marketing scene have already confirmed their attendance, including names such as shopware, REWE, OTTO Advertising, Disney, Typo3, Criteo, Crownpeak, Freewheel, Optimizely, Magnite, Screenforce, Adform, HubSpot, Ibexa, Yoc, Ogury, Yext, Equativ, MGID, Integral Ad Science, Constructor, Emporix, Awin, FactFinder, Douglas Marketing Solutions, United Internet Media, Media Impact, BCN Group and IQ Digital. These early commitments clearly underscore DMEXCO’s key role as a platform for the digital transformation – true to the event’s slogan: Be Bold. Move Forward.
About DMEXCO
DMEXCO is Europe’s leading digital marketing & tech event. We are the meeting place and a community for key players in digital business, marketing, and innovation. We bring together industry leaders, marketing and media professionals, and tech pioneers to set the digital agenda. Both globally informed and locally focused, DMEXCO offers an ecosystem with seminars, debates, expositions, and masterclasses outlining the future of the digital economy and driving market value.
In Cologne and online, we set the benchmark as a network and business platform for the digital economy. Decision-makers continue to educate themselves and be inspired, make contacts, and conclude deals. DMEXCO – where tomorrow’s digital business happens today. The 2025’s edition of the event will take place in Cologne on September 17 and 18.
With the launch of DMEXCO ASIA, DMEXCO is making its first expansion into the international market this year. Hosted as part of Tech Week Singapore in partnership with eCommerce Expo, the event will set trends in the Southeast Asian and Pacific market and serve as a platform for the Asian digital economy. eCommerce Expo | DMEXCO ASIA will debut on October 8–9, 2025.
The German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) – with the special participation of the Circle of Online Marketers (OVK) – is the ideational and professional partner of DMEXCO and owner of the DMEXCO brand. DMEXCO is organized by Koelnmesse.
Images from DMEXCO are available online at https://go.dmexco.com/press-downloads-dmexco.
About the BVDW
The German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) represents the interests of companies that operate digital business models or whose value creation is based on the use of digital technologies. With its members from the entire digital economy, the BVDW is already shaping the future today – through creative solutions and state-of-the-art technologies. As an impetus, guide and accelerator of digital business models, the association relies on fair and clear rules and advocates innovation-friendly framework conditions. In doing so, BVDW always keeps an eye on the economy, society and the environment. In addition to DMEXCO, the leading trade fair for digital marketing and technologies, and the German Digital Award, BVDW also organizes the CDR Award, the first award ceremony in the DACH region for digital sustainability and responsibility, as well as a large number of specialist events.
Media contact
schoesslers GmbH
Birgit Götz
Tel. +49 179 3314465
