Ciarán Norris

Ciarán Norris is one of Europe's most recognised voices at the intersection of AdTech and data privacy, with a career spanning agency strategy, publisher monetisation, and programmatic technology. He is particularly known for translating complex regulatory frameworks — especially GDPR and ePrivacy — into actionable guidance for AdTech practitioners, helping organisations navigate consent management, lawful basis for processing, and the practical implications of third-party cookie deprecation on programmatic supply chains. Norris has held senior roles across both agency and technology sides of the industry, giving him a rare dual perspective on how privacy regulation affects buyers, sellers, and the intermediary infrastructure connecting them. At Hybrid Theory, he serves as Chief Privacy Officer, overseeing compliance strategy and advising on privacy-safe targeting approaches including contextual intelligence and first-party data activation. His earlier career included significant time at Mindshare and other major industry organisations where he developed expertise in digital strategy and emerging media. A frequent speaker and commentator, Norris has contributed to industry debates on topics including the IAB Europe Transparency and Consent Framework, alternative identity solutions, and the evolving role of the DPO within AdTech businesses. He is regarded as a thought leader who combines legal literacy with deep operational knowledge of how programmatic advertising actually functions, making him a credible bridge between compliance teams and engineering or commercial functions.

Last updated Jun 24, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jun 29, 2026