Founder at Cunningham Tech
Cunningham is known for his foundational role in developing IAB technical standards that shaped programmatic advertising, and for leading industry-wide efforts to address ad blocking and viewability measurement.
Last updated Feb 27, 2026 by AI Enrichment
Scott Cunningham is best known as one of the key architects of digital advertising standards during his tenure at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), where he served as Senior Vice President of Technology and Ad Operations. In that role, he helped define the technical frameworks that underpin modern programmatic advertising, including ad format specifications, viewability standards, and measurement protocols adopted industry-wide. His work gave publishers, platforms, and buyers a common technical language at a time when the ecosystem was rapidly scaling and fragmenting. Cunningham's career has been defined by his ability to translate complex technical challenges into actionable industry policy. He was a central figure in the IAB's efforts to address ad blocking, leading initiatives that sought to balance user experience with publisher monetization. He also contributed to foundational work around brand safety and privacy compliance, areas that have only grown in strategic importance as regulatory scrutiny of digital advertising has intensified. Following his IAB tenure, Scott founded Cunningham Tech, an independent consulting practice where he advises publishers, ad tech vendors, and platforms on technology strategy, standards adoption, and navigating the evolving regulatory and ecosystem landscape. He remains an active voice in industry conversations around the future of programmatic infrastructure.
Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)