Meet Our Exhibitors: Ali Hart, Optimizely,
)
As eCommerce Expo and Technology for Marketing approach, Optimizely shares perspectives on practical AI adoption, creative intelligence and personalisation at scale, and why honest, peer-to-peer conversations matter more than ever in marketing.
What industry trends are you looking forward to seeing at this year’s eCommerce Expo and Technology for Marketing?
AI governance and real-world AI adoption are at the top of my list. We've spent two years talking about what AI could do. Now the conversation is shifting to what it's actually doing, and how brands are keeping it honest and on-brand. I'm also watching the creative intelligence space closely: how teams are using data not just to optimize, but to tell better stories. That intersection of intelligence meeting creativity feels like the most energizing place in marketing right now.
In your opinion, what are the biggest tech challenges facing marketers today?
AI adoption is hard when the tools you're using require technical knowledge that marketers were never expected to know before. Marketers have too many tools that don't integrate, data that doesn't connect, and AI promises that require an IT ticket to actually deliver. The real challenge isn't finding AI technology but being able to use it in a way that helps you do better marketing. At Optimizely, we think about the marketer experience constantly: how do you get from data to decision to deployed experience without needing to rely on a developer (or 500 browser tabs for different tools)?
What is most exciting to you about the eCommerce and digital marketing industry right now?
Personalization at scale has gone from aspiration to something real teams are actually shipping. For years, "1:1 experiences" meant a <first-name> tag. Now, with the right platform and data in place, you can genuinely adapt the experience to the individual and measure whether it worked. Add agents into that loop and suddenly the ambition matches the execution. That shift from "we want to do this" to "we can do this" is what's super exciting.
Why is it important to bring the industry together at events like eCommerce Expo and Technology for Marketing?
It's so important. At a time where everyone is claiming to be an AI expert or screaming AI cliches from the LinkedIn rooftops, we need industry events that promote peer-to-peer conversation. A place where real practitioners can share what's actually working (and even more critically, what flopped), and safe space for peers to ask questions. That kind of discussion doesn't happen in virtual events or even on social media.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give to new people joining the industry?
The marketers who grow fastest do things differently. Don't follow the status quo. Always be on the lookout for ways to do things better. Whether it's process or testing a new message, it's okay if something doesn't land as long as you build from the results. And learn to love data because it turns gut instinct into something you can actually prove.
If you got the chance to reboot any ‘90s or 2000s brand for 2026 eCommerce, which one are you bringing back and how are you marketing it?
Blockbuster! And I'd market it almost entirely on nostalgia because it's a great conversion tool, especially at a time when people are trending towards wanting more simplicity in their lives. I'd bring it back and test a curated eCommerce experience, pulling on the emotional hook of nostalgia and throwback creative. Nostalgia would get people in the door, and a great digital experience would keep them there.
Join us on the 'Next Era of Marketing Stage' to learn 'How to Prioritize When Anything is Possible: Discovering High-impact AI Use Cases for Marketing.'
Description: For marketers, content leaders, and digital experience teams that want to find where AI will actually move the needle in their day-to-day work.
Speaker: Ali Hart, Product Marketing Director, AI - Optimizely
Date: 23rd September 2026
Time: 12:20 - 12:45
Latest News
-
)
Two days. Hundreds of expert-led sessions, leading solution providers and thousands of marketing professionals together in one place. There is a lot to experience at Technology for Marketing, so how d ... -
)
Entries are open for the EB100 2027, celebrating the UK’s most innovative, resilient and ambitious SMEs with national recognition, publicity, networking opportunities and alumni membership. -
)
Fjällräven and Precis combined targeted DOOH advertising with social media to strengthen brand preference in Germany, increasing consideration by 23% and purchase intent by 43%. -
)
Six UK marketing stories that mattered in July 2026 July brought signs of resilience for UK marketers. Budgets appear to be growing, consumer confidence improved and major brands backed marketing des ... -
)
This month in Marketing: April 2026 📣 From AI-powered loyalty to smarter packaging and shifting search behaviour, April gave marketers plenty to think about. Across the UK, the biggest themes this m ... -
)
Meet Our Judges Technology for Marketing’s Top 30 Technology for Marketing’s Top 30 will be assessed by a panel of brand builders, community leaders, strategists and storytellers who know what stand ... -
)
March 2026 highlights the key shifts shaping modern marketing, from AI-powered content and creator ecosystems to evolving media consumption, regulation, and the growing importance of integrated, data- ... -
)
After a career turning point, Claire Ferreira founded Mums in Marketing—now a growing community—sharing lessons on building trust, driving engagement, and supporting working mothers in today’s industr ... -
)
A journey shaped by resilience and reinvention—from Ukraine to EU leadership—exploring data-driven marketing, international growth, omnichannel strategy, AI’s real value, and the mindset required for ... -
)
A candid conversation with Brian on digital transformation, leadership, AI-powered teams, and building trusted, human-centred experiences at global scale. -
)
A concise update on UK marketing and technology trends, covering AI regulation, AI commerce, ethical innovation, creator economy consolidation, standout campaigns, and strategic insights shaping 2026. -
)
Insights from the creator of Women in Tech SEO on leadership, brand-building, and why authentic, human-led communities drive the future of B2B marketing. -
)
Ecommerce manager Kat Worley shares how data, creativity, and customer-centric thinking shape impactful digital experiences, reflecting on career lessons, platform insights, and the innovations transf ... -
)
Marketers share their highlights from Technology for Marketing 2025 — from inspiring AI insights to powerful connections and ideas shaping the future of martech. -
)
AI, retail, and regulation reshape marketing: Adobe and OpenAI launch new tools; Meta and TikTok evolve; EU and Google face AI scrutiny. -
)
Discover the Top 100 Marketing Influencers of 2025. The visionaries, innovators, and disruptors shaping digital, brand, content, social, and growth marketing, driving conversations and redefining indu ... -
)
Meet some of the team behind eCommerce Expo and Technology for Marketing. From planning highlights to industry trends, discover how they shape the UK’s biggest retail and marketing events. -
)
Grace Miller reveals how “failing smarter” transforms experimentation into growth. From lessons learned to advice for future innovators, she explains why embracing failure is the key to progress in eC ... -
)
Facing rising costs and shrinking sales channels, Nova Tissue turned to Temu. The platform rapidly boosted sales, safeguarded margins, and created UK jobs—transforming e-commerce into a major growth d ... -
)
Michelle Hurney, Head of CRM at Wonderskin, explores career lessons, customer engagement, and how data, empathy, and AI shape the future of retention-focused marketing. -
)
In today’s digital economy, high-profile social media influencers wield significant power over consumer behaviour. However, with great influence comes great responsibility. From Italy to the UK and be ... -
)
Meet the Top 100 Marketing Influencers Shortlist of 2025. The innovators, disruptors, and rising stars leading the way in marketing. This year’s ranking is still under wraps, and the countdown begins ... -
)
Automated compliance tools are essential for brand protection. This article explores their strengths, the risks of relying solely on AI, and why a hybrid approach ensures compliance and consistency. -
)
Saptak Bose, a global leader in adtech, shares insights from his adtech journey, lessons from Google, and advice for navigating the fast-paced world of marketing tech. -
)
We sat down with Rosie Bailey, the CEO of Nibble and out 2024 AI Startup Contest winner, to talk about her experience from 2024's contest at Technology for Marketing! -
)
Luiza Grinberg has worked at multiple prominent organisations, and today she shares her learnings from across her career, as well as how to create paid eCommerce content that converts. -
)
Meet the Top 100 Marketing Influencers of 2024 - the innovators, disruptors, and rising stars leading the way in digital, content, brand, and growth marketing. -
)
This month's eCommerce and marketing roundup explores UK tax shake-ups, AI's impact on SEO, voice commerce breakthroughs, and how platforms like TikTok and Threads are transforming the path to purchas ... -
)
Ekwy Chukwuji, founder of Equi Botanics, shares how she built an award-winning beauty brand, leveraged AI to scale her business, and became a thought leader in AI-driven marketing and automation. -
)
Bite-size updates on what happened in marketing and eCommerce this month, to keep you ahead of the curve and inform your campaigns. -
)
Lauren Hannifan, co-founder of Snug, shares how she built a standout D2C brand, disrupted the furniture industry, and created impactful customer experiences on a budget. Lauren's Career and Advice ... -
)
Technology for Marketing is thrilled to announce the formation of our 2025 Advisory Board – a diverse group of marketing leaders committed to reimagining the future of marketing events. Led by our S ... -
)
Catch up on this month's biggest marketing stories—TikTok's uncertain future in the US, Sweaty Betty's first global campaign, and Google's latest generative AI tools for retailers. -
)
Janis Thomas, Managing Director at Look Fabulous Forever, on customer-centric marketing, eCommerce growth, and engaging the over-50s demographic for lasting success. -
)
In this interview, Luka Matutinovic discusses how LELO is staying ahead of industry trends with a focus on innovation and consumer-driven strategies. He reflects on his career journey and the key insi ... -
)
Meet Carolyn Tang Kmet, a seasoned expert in eCommerce and digital marketing turned educator at Northwestern University, as she shares insights on personalisation, data-driven marketing, and building ... -
)
Bite-size updates on what happened in marketing this month, to keep you ahead of the curve and inform your campaigns. -
)
It sounds so simple, but the biggest reason most B2B companies don’t see results from their marketing efforts is that they aren’t working to a clear strategy with objectives, the right budget, and a s ... -
)
Meet Zaria Parvez, the mastermind behind Duolingo's viral social media success, who grew their TikTok from 50K to over 11M followers. Discover how she transformed Duolingo into a social-first brand, c ... -
)
Integrating AI into Your Marketing the Smarter Way -
)
Meet Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good to Go, the app tackling food waste and now serving over 100 million users globally. In this interview, Jamie shares his journey, challenges, and vision for a ... -
)
We spoke with Amie Lane, Senior Manager, Partner and Field Marketing at referral marketing platform Mention Me on what she’s looking forward to seeing at this year’s eCommerce Expo and Technology for ... -
)
Frank Brooks explains what’s exciting him most in eCommerce and marketing right now and the best advice he’d give to new professionals. -
)
Vanessa Mallia, Head of Growth at WeDoCRM, highlights AI-driven personalisation, omnichannel strategies, and key industry challenges ahead of eCommerce Expo and Technology for Marketing. -
)
Bite-size updates on what happened in marketing this month, to keep you ahead of the curve and inform your campaigns. -
)
Thanks to CPDme, your attendance at Technology for Marketing and eCommerce Expo will be accredited this year! -
)
Oliver Shayer, Boots UK's Omni-Media Director delves into how brands can blend online convenience with immersive in-store experiences to create interactions that resonate with Gen Alpha. -
)
Discover how these five AI tools can supercharge your personal productivity and free up hours in your day, whether you’re a solopreneur or simply looking to optimise your workflow. -
)
In this conference, Greg Landon, Head of Marketing at Leadoo, provided key insights into the growing importance of website sessions for marketers. -
)
Experts from HubSpot, Vodafone Business, BBC, ScoreApp, and Echo discussed leveraging AI, personalisation, and future MarTech trends to drive growth and enhance customer experiences for growing busine ... -
)
In this conference Nick Primmer, ASDA's Senior Media Manager and Kat Broomhead, Managing Partner at Spark Foundry provided key insights on harmonising brand and performance marketing, using the analog ... -
)
Emma Davis and Ruta Sudmantaite from "Blame it on Marketing" discuss career journeys, marketing challenges and pressures, how to tackle the marketing blame while avoiding burn out. -
)
Elinor's career journey and advice Tell us about your career so far and the essential turning points that got you where you are today. I started my journey in the charity sector in community building, ... -
)
Discover expert strategies from PlayStation, Domino's, and LeanConvert on customer-centric experimentation for business growth and enhanced user engagement. -
)
Discover how Community Marketing can boost brand promotion and sales with insights from Gerry Sherwood. Practical strategies for effective engagement. -
)
Key insights on how the Victoria Beckham brand excels in creating a world-class digital customer experience. -
)
Patrick Zinga shares his expertise in data-driven marketing, continuous learning, consumer-centric strategies, and technological integration to enhance growth and engagement. -
)
Digital marketing always moves at a fast pace. Need a quick refresher of how far we've come in the past year? -
)
Get ready for an inspiring journey through the sweet success story of Candy Kittens! -
)
The hunt for the Top 100 Marketing Influencers of 2024 has officially begun. This prestigious index seeks to identify and celebrate the leading minds in the marketing industry. -
)
The 2024 eCommerce Awards are now open for entries. Recognising excellence in the world of eCommerce the ceremony will take place after day one of Technology for Marketing. -
)
Marketing teams face numerous challenges in today's dynamic work environment, from remote collaboration to content management woes. In a session led by Box experts Frankki Cox and Alex Osborne, key in ... -
)
Gousto, established in 2012 with a vision to transform dinner, has seen significant growth over the years, now delivering over six million meals monthly. In a recent fireside chat, Gousto and Bento Te ... -
)
Bite-size updates on what happened in marketing this month, to keep you ahead of the curve and inform your campaigns. -
)
Drawing from his experience as Agile Transformation in Europe for Coca-Cola, Andrei talks about enhancing creativity and building large scale campaigns with AI. -
)
Harry Glossop, Head of Marketing Analytics at Knight Frank, shared valuable insights during the conference session titled "Strategic partnerships: Using the skills of your data team to drive change." ... -
)
In the pursuit of understanding audiences, actionable insights reign supreme. Qudo.ai's mission revolves around converting data into meaningful action, as highlighted in the session "From 'A-ha' to 'T ... -
)
The landscape of privacy and data regulations is undergoing a significant shift, with the DPDI Bill poised to reshape the UK's post-Brexit data protection regime. In the session titled "What will repl ... -
.png/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale())
What's the hot, new social media channel where even a small brand can quickly reach millions of people with a single post? The answer is, of course, LinkedIn. -
.png/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale())
Yes, ChatGPT can help you win on LinkedIn. And no, that’s not by producing dull, generic AI content. Working through her acclaimed ‘ChatGPT for LinkedIn’ playbook, Heather Murray explores: - How to ma ... -
)
Meet Benjamin Honorato, SurveyMonkey's Senior Solutions Engineer, sharing SurveyMonkey's impactful role in improving customer experience, and best CX practices. -
.png/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale())
The model of a story is perfectly designed to engage your audience, create emotion, and inspire action – but do you know what this model actually is? You can see it at work in pretty much every TV sho ... -
)
In an era where technology is reshaping the marketing landscape, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become pivotal in driving business results. To delve into the intersection of AI and marke ... -
)
Meet Samantha, currently the Head of Marketing Automation at the Financial Times.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
