ExchangeWire are delighted to announce the shortlists for the popular Ad Tech Rising Star and Ad Tech Personality of the Year awards at The Wires 2021.

Following a record number of nominations for both of the free-to-enter categories this year, the shortlists will now enter a public vote.

Now in its seventh year, Ad Tech Personality of the Year recognises an individual who has made a significant impact to the ad tech industry.

Previous winners are industry heavyweights Emma Newman, Cadi Jones, Paul Gubbins, Joanna Burton, Jay Stevens, and Sarah Wood. They received the prestigious accolade after being nominated by industry peers for their notable contribution to the ad tech industry.

This year's shortlist includes some equally notable heavyweights, all of whom have made an impact to the industry during a challenging 18 months.

Ad Tech Personality of the Year 2021 Shortlist

As well as recognising those who have positively influenced the ad tech industry during the course of its history, ExchangeWire is keen to recognise the next generation of ad tech experts, who will continue to shape our industry. Now in its fourth year, the Ad Tech Rising Star award reflects the changing and fast-moving nature of ad tech, and celebrates the individuals across the ecosystem that are making an impact at all levels, from managers to CEOs, but with a lower industry profile, who deserve to be recognised for their achievements.

Previous winners include Jody Shilliday, now global director of service excellence, business processes, Adform; Amber Tomlinson, now DSP lead, EMEA at Magnite, and Harvin Gupta, senior director, solutions engineering at Xandr.

The 2021 shortlist is no different. These are the ones to watch, and it is exciting to see such a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds taking our industry to the next level.

Ad Tech Rising Star 2021 Shortlist

Rachel Smith, ExchangeWire co-founder and CSO, said: “Awarding Ad Tech Rising Star and Ad Tech Personality of the Year is one of my favourite things to do each year. These shortlists represent our present and future, and we have been astounded at the impact these amazing people are having on the companies they work for, and indeed the industry as a whole. To provide the platform to allow peers to celebrate each other’s successes and achievements, and bring a spotlight to those who genuinely make an impact to this industry, always makes us very excited. Everyone on these shortlists deserves to win.”

The next stage of determining the winners of Ad Tech Rising Star and Ad Tech Personality of the Year is to open the shortlists up to a public vote. From this point, we will announce the top 10 on Friday, 15 October, who will move to the final stage, with the winner being crowned at The Wires 2021 awards ceremony at London Stadium on Thursday, 4 November, along with the winners from the campaign, product and team category shortlists, announced last week. For more information about attending the ceremony, get in touch.