The Big Story When The Trade Desk Dips, Ad Tech Drops
6 snips
Aug 14, 2025 Laura Martin, a seasoned internet and media analyst at Needham & Company, dives into the complexities of the ad tech landscape. She discusses The Trade Desk's recent Q2 performance and the threats from tech giants like Amazon. The conversation reveals how generative AI and shifts in ad spending are reshaping competition in the sector. Martin emphasizes the rise of connected television and the critical role of first-party data in the future of advertising, showcasing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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Trade Desk Drives Market Sentiment
- The Trade Desk's stock drop dragged down other ad tech stocks because demand-side platforms set industry tone.
- Investor doubts about COCAI rollout and growth prospects caused a broad programmatic selloff.
Walled Gardens Shrink Open Web Opportunity
- Investors fear ad dollars are moving from the open internet into walled gardens like Google and Amazon.
- That shift shrinks ad inventory on the open web and reduces total addressable market for independent ad tech.
Reach Consumers Everywhere
- Advertisers must reach consumers wherever they are across walled gardens and the open web.
- Use large independent DSPs like The Trade Desk to serve the biggest advertisers across channels.