PR Wizard or #adtech Double Agent? Andy Oakes Spills the Secrets

On today’s episode of The Adotat Show, we’re unraveling the enigma that is Andy Oakes—a PR guru, media maven, and possibly his own best frenemy. Andy runs both a PR agency and a media outlet. Is he reshaping ad tech, or just living out a plot twist where he’s always debating himself? Join us as Pesach Lattin and Andy dish out truths on empty nests, questionable PR moves, and ad tech's endless hype cycle. Spoiler: it involves Malbec, a worn-out BS detector, and a PR model that's far from '90s nostalgia. And hey, with the trade media's "unique" flavor, who wouldn't be tempted to toss in their own headlines?

The conversation kicks off with Andy revealing the woes of an empty nest after his daughter moves out, leaving behind a house filled with mugs and a strangely quiet silence. But it doesn’t stop there; the two take a hard look at the “newest big things” in ad tech and how they’re often just shiny, overhyped rehashes of ideas from the last hype cycle. With a BS detector finely tuned to buzzwords, Andy shares how he separates the substance from the cotton candy promises, keeping his sanity with a little help from deep breaths and a glass (or bottle) of Malbec.

From the infamous ups and downs of the PR game to a rundown on the industry’s need for a serious wake-up call, Andy doesn’t hold back. Expect some zingers on how every trade mag has its price tag, why ad tech is forever the “troubled teenager” of industries, and how a lack of real innovation has everyone—yes, including VCs—pumping funds into the same old story. And of course, there’s the age-old question: how many buzzwords does it take before Andy bolts for the pub?

This episode dives into the quirks and curveballs of an ad tech veteran who isn’t afraid to call it as he sees it, even if that means taking on the industry he’s built his career in. As Andy says, in a world of endless AI hype and unique propositions that aren't quite unique, sometimes you just have to trust the people rather than the pitch.

Stay Bold, Stay Curious, and Know More than You Did Yesterday. #adtechgod #adtech #adtechbros