The Vanderhooks on the Best Adtech Product Launch… Ever?
Sep 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Join Tim and Chris Vanderhook, co-founders of Viant, as they dive into the groundbreaking launch of ViantAI, showcasing their innovative adtech strategies. They discuss how generative AI is changing marketing approaches, allowing for rapid and engaging media creation. Reflecting on their 25-year journey, they share insights on navigating challenges within the ad tech landscape, including the role of founder influence. Their unique brotherly partnership highlights the importance of ethics and ownership in building a sustainable business in a competitive market.
The launch of ViantAI showcases how generative AI can revolutionize advertising by enabling swift media planning and enhanced strategic focus.
Utilizing social media for direct audience engagement during the product launch exemplified a shift towards authentic marketing practices, promoting customer feedback.
Deep dives
AI's Impact on Media Planning
The introduction of generative AI in advertising allows for rapid media planning that effectively targets the desired audience. A recent launch demonstrated how a media plan could be created in just 60 seconds, showcasing the technology's potential to streamline advertising processes. This advancement not only expedites planning but also enables advertising professionals to focus on more strategic tasks rather than getting bogged down in minutiae. Consequently, the innovation positions itself as a transformative force in the advertising space, potentially elevating the roles of human planners rather than replacing them.
Innovative Marketing Strategies
The marketing approach utilized for the product launch diverged from traditional methods, opting for a direct connection with the audience via social media, which proved to be highly effective. This strategy recorded significant engagement, with estimates showing over 150,000 views within just 72 hours, demonstrating the power of social media in B2B marketing. Engaging directly with their audience allowed for real-time feedback and interaction, enabling the company to refine its product roadmaps based on customer insights. This shift marks a pivotal understanding in ad tech marketing, highlighting the importance of genuine dialogue with potential consumers.
The Importance of Founder Presence
Having founders directly involved in the marketing and product demonstration processes enhances authenticity and consumer trust. The founders' insights and expertise resonate more strongly than traditional marketing narratives, fostering a personal connection with the audience. The transition to founder-led engagement creates a dynamic where the founders' vision and leadership drive the company's narrative, further establishing their brand in a competitive landscape. This approach not only boosts internal morale but also aligns the entire company towards a shared mission and innovative thinking.
The Competitive Landscape of DSPs
In the current advertising market, there are only a few dominant demand-side platforms (DSPs), including Google, Trade Desk, Yahoo, and Viant, making it a highly competitive environment. Viant positions itself as a buy-side only platform, aiming to represent marketers' interests without conflicts of interest that arise from associations with sell-side platforms. This unique stance emphasizes Viant’s commitment to securing the best possible prices for clients while fostering a culture of innovation. The challenges of building and maintaining these platforms highlight the need for continuous advancement to remain relevant and competitive in a space that sees little innovation.
Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa chat with Tim and Chris Vanderhook, co-founders of Viant. They discuss the Vanderhooks’ creative approach to the extremely successful launch of ViantAI, their take on “founder mode,” and how their approach to adtech entrepreneurship has evolved over 25 years. (Note: Viant is a client of Joe’s agency, Sharp Pen. This episode was not sponsored.)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode