Daniel Knapp
Chief Economist at IAB Europe
Producing the definitive economic research on European digital advertising markets, particularly the IAB Europe AdEx Benchmark, and providing authoritative forecasts on ad spend trends across European markets.
Last updated Apr 19, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment
Daniel Knapp is the Chief Economist at IAB Europe, where he serves as the primary authority on European digital advertising economics, market sizing, and industry forecasting. His research underpins the widely referenced IAB Europe AdEx Benchmark study, the most comprehensive annual analysis of digital advertising expenditure across European markets, and his insights are regularly cited by media, policymakers, and industry stakeholders seeking to understand the trajectory of the European ad tech ecosystem. Before joining IAB Europe, Knapp held senior analyst and research roles at IHS Markit (now S&P Global Market Intelligence), where he led media and advertising research covering global markets. His work there established him as a rigorous quantitative analyst with deep expertise in media economics, programmatic advertising, and the structural forces reshaping digital media business models. He has tracked the evolution of ad tech from early programmatic adoption through the current era of privacy-driven identity transformation. Knapp is a frequent speaker at major industry events including DMEXCO, IAB Europe's Interact conference, and various national IAB summits across Europe. He is known for his ability to contextualize European ad market dynamics within broader macroeconomic and regulatory frameworks, particularly around GDPR, the Digital Markets Act, and the deprecation of third-party cookies, making him one of the most influential analyst voices shaping European ad tech policy and strategy discussions.
Senior Research Analyst, Media & Advertising
IHS Markit (2010-2018)
Research Analyst
IHS Screen Digest (2008-2010)
- Degree in Economics or Media Studies, University (specific institution not confirmed)
- Lead author and architect of the IAB Europe AdEx Benchmark, the most comprehensive annual study of digital ad spend across European markets
- Established IAB Europe's economic research function as a go-to source for European ad market intelligence cited by global media and policymakers
- Provided expert economic analysis informing European regulatory discussions around GDPR and the Digital Markets Act
- IAB Europe AdEx Benchmark Report (annual)
- IAB Europe Programmatic Ad Spend Report (annual)
- Various IAB Europe white papers on European digital advertising trends