Observed Signal · Aug 17, 2026 · Event · Source: onlinemarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Large Language Models (LLM) & AI Market: DMEXCO Host Verena Gründel Urges AI to Deliver Value
In an interview ahead of DMEXCO 2026, Verena Gründel — DMEXCO host and Brand & Communications Director — argues that despite widespread AI adoption, measurable business value remains limited. DMEXCO’s 2026 theme “Scaling Intelligence” (Sept 23–24) aims to push companies from experimentation to scalable, revenue-generating AI use cases. Gründel and Commercial Growth Advisor Jenny Gruner highlight four transformation pillars (efficiency, decisions, revenue potential, business models) and warn that only a small share of companies achieve both increased revenue and cost reduction from AI. The piece also covers European leadership on AI safety, concerns about agentic cyberattacks, and the role of events like DMEXCO in spreading practical best practices and governance approaches.
DMEXCO is a major industry event shaping European discussion on scaling AI from experiments to measurable business impact; highlights (PwC stat) that few companies yet achieve ROI, and the conference could influence adoption, best practices, and regulatory discourse.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- DMEXCO 2026 is scheduled for 23–24 September with the motto “Scaling Intelligence”.
- Verena Gründel is cited as Host and Brand & Communications Director of DMEXCO.
- A PwC study referenced in the article found only 12% of companies both increase revenue and reduce costs through AI.
- DMEXCO 2026 will feature 17 stages, 11 summits, and dedicated DMEXCO Worlds covering Agencies, Commerce, Media and Tech.
- OnlineMarketing.de and t3n will run a DMEXCO special program with a livestream from their stand across both event days.
Connected Companies & Entities
13 Entities mappedPwC
Professional services network selling consulting, managed services, and enterprise software.
“A PwC study cited in the article shows only 12% of companies both increase revenue and reduce costs through AI....”
BVDW
German digital economy trade association with training, certification and events.
“The OVK within the BVDW is referenced for testing an ID-based system for cross-platform campaign management....”
Indeed
Employment marketplace monetised through employer-paid sponsored job advertising.
“An Indeed study is referenced to illustrate that individuals may be further along with AI adoption than their companies....”
Meta
Consumer internet platforms monetised through advertising, apps, subscriptions and VR.
“Meta is referenced among major tech players affected by recent agentic-security test incidents and as a mega-player with growing ad revenue....”
Anthropic
Foundation model company selling AI assistants and model APIs.
“Anthropic is mentioned for allowing Claude to be used via Slack as an agent-like team member and as one of the model providers noted in secu...”
Amazon
Global commerce, cloud, advertising and subscription platform company.
“Amazon is named among the mega-players with steadily growing advertising revenues....”
t3n
German tech publisher monetising audience, subscriptions and media sales.
“t3n is mentioned as a partner with OnlineMarketing.de running a DMEXCO special programme and livestream....”
Usercentrics
Consent management and privacy-led marketing software for digital channels.
“Usercentrics Consent Management Platform is referenced in relation to embedded third-party content and consent management on the publisher s...”
OpenAI
Foundation model company selling AI software, APIs and subscriptions.
“OpenAI is mentioned among the model providers implicated in recent agentic-security test incidents....”
Koelnmesse
Operates trade fairs, venues and event marketing services.
“Koelnmesse is credited in image captions and associated with making Cologne Deutz the centre of digital innovation for DMEXCO....”
The Trade Desk
Independent DSP for omnichannel programmatic advertising on the open internet.
“The Trade Desk is mentioned as the organiser of an Open Internet Summit that the article's interviewee attended....”
Search, video, adtech and cloud giant within Alphabet.
“Google is referenced as a major tech player involved in recent agentic-security test incidents and as a mega-player with growing ad revenue....”
OnlineMarketing.de
German B2B publisher for digital marketing media and events.
“OnlineMarketing.de is the publisher of the interview and is running a DMEXCO special programme and livestream with t3n....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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