The Pub Way: A Podcast for Publishers

In this special crossover episode of AdTech Heroes x The Pub Way podcasts, recorded from Cannes in partnership with The Drum, we explored how brands and publishers can use real-time context and AI to connect with audiences through their interests, emotions, and intent. Hosted by Tina Iannacchino and Marko Johns, with guests Jamie Dunlop (Managing Partner at Mediaplus UK) and Tony Gemma (VP Global Head of Yahoo Creative.Relive Seedtag at Cannes Lions 2025: https://info.seedtag.com/cannes-25

In this episode of The Pub Way podcast, Mike and Tina sit with Tyler Romasco (SVP, Global Publisher Development at OpenX) to discuss the evolving landscape of advertising technology, focusing on curation, supply quality, and the impact of AI. They explore the definitions of curation from both supply and demand perspectives, the importance of transparency in curated deals, and the challenges of scaling programmatic linear TV. Interested in being a guest? Contact us: thepubwaypodcast.com/contact

In this episode of The PubWay podcast, hosts Tina and Mike welcome Brian Lin, Senior Vice President of Product Management, Advertising at TelevisaUnivision, the world's leading Spanish-language media company.They discuss the evolving landscape of programmatic advertising, particularly focusing on data quality, measurement challenges, and the future of monetization in Connected TV (CTV). The conversation highlights the importance of leveraging first-party data, the potential of AI and quantum computing, and innovative ad experiences that enhance consumer engagement.Interested in being a guest? Contact us: thepubwaypodcast.com/contact

Tony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab, shares his nearly three decades of expertise in digital advertising. He dives into the evolving ad tech landscape, emphasizing the need for innovation and open-source solutions. The discussion highlights challenges in measuring connected TV advertising, the significance of the Trusted Server initiative, and the balance between consumer privacy and effective advertising. Katsur also reflects on personal lessons learned in the industry and the importance of maintaining integrity and security in open-source projects.

In this episode of The PubWay podcast, hosts Tina and Mike welcome Tony Franklin, CEO of Tidbit Consulting, to explore the challenges of programmatic advertising, the importance of understanding both sides of the market, and the value of mid-tier publishers.They also cover the evolving landscape of media and advertising, from the transition from print to digital, to the impact of AI on future trends.Interested in being a guest? Contact us: thepubwaypodcast.com/contact

In this special episode for International Women's Month 2025, we bring together female leaders across adtech & media to explore how we can #AccelerateAction for gender equality: Jackelyn Keller (CMO, Comscore), Natasha Byrne (Global Business Lead, Omnicom Media Group), Luisa Izquierdo (CHRO, Seedtag). Hosted by Tina Iannacchino (VP, Publisher Partnerships NA, Seedtag) the conversation highlights leadership, industry transformation, diversity, & actionable solutions.Interested in being a guest? Contact us: thepubwaypodcast.com/contact

In this episode, Tina and Mike were joined by Don Valdez, during his time as Head of Ad Tech and Publisher Partnerships at The Media Trust. Don explored how AI can enhance content quality, protect user data, and ensure regulatory compliance in publishing. He shared practical strategies for building user trust through transparency, verification, and collaboration with brands. Also, Don emphasizes the importance of using AI to improve efficiency and encourages publishers to embrace and effectively utilize these tools.

In this episode of The PubWay podcast, Mike Villalobos speaks with Jessica Breslav, Chief Customer Officer at Index Exchange, about the evolution of Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs) in the AdTech ecosystem.  They discuss the critical role of automation, the importance of value creation for publishers, and the challenges posed by privacy regulations. Jessica shares insights on sustainability initiatives within the industry and offers predictions for the future of ad tech, emphasizing the need for innovation and collaboration.

In this episode of The Pub Way podcast, hosts Tina Iannacchino and Mike Villalobos sit down with Dan Benyamin, founder and CEO of Aeon, to discuss the evolving landscape of publishing and advertising. They explore the challenges faced by publishers in the adtech space, the impact of the creator economy and the necessity for collaboration between traditional publishers and modern creators. The conversation also delves into the rise of AI influencers, the importance of regulation in AI usage and how publishers can leverage AI for better monetization strategies. Dan emphasizes the need for publishers to prioritize their audience and adapt to the rapidly changing digital environment.Key topics with timestamps:00:00 Early Facebook ads were limited, unrefined opportunities.03:31 Advertising's main challenge: remaining user-focused and adaptable.06:44 Video evolution challenges traditional quality standards.11:13 Personal branding is crucial for brand success.14:00 Teens dismiss AI; others embrace generated visuals.16:44 AI misinformation and its impact during elections.19:49 Good working relationships prevent issues like boycotts.25:30 AI enables faster, more agile customer segmentation.27:56 Prioritize the audience; treat attention as a battlefield.Don't forget to leave us a review if you enjoyed the episode, and feel free to reach out with any feedback or suggestions for future guests or topics.

In the first episode of Season Two of "Pub way," hosts Tina Iannachino and Mike Villalobos sit down with Miles Fisher, Senior Director of Strategic Advertising Partnerships at Roku, to delve into the evolving landscape of Connected TV (CTV) and its implications for digital advertising. Having held significant positions at T-Mobile Advertising and Google Marketing Platform, Fisher provides expert insights on Roku’s transformation from a hardware-based company to a software-centered powerhouse. With nearly two decades of experience, Roku has effectively shifted from manufacturing streaming dongles and sticks to offering Roku-branded TVs, significantly enhancing consumer experience and driving major ad innovations.The conversation covers essential acronyms in the CTV industry: FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV), AVOD (Ad-Supported Video on Demand), SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand), and MVPD (Virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor). F explains Roku’s advancements in shoppable media, which integrate advertising seamlessly into user experiences using collected user data to facilitate low-friction transactions. The episode also explores the broader scope of content discovery, highlighting Roku's curated content zones aimed at reducing the time users spend searching for shows and movies, thereby improving overall user satisfaction.In terms of advertising trends and opportunities, Fisher and the hosts discuss the transition traditional broadcasters must undergo to adapt to streaming. They highlight the significance of first-party data in driving successful ad campaigns on streaming platforms, mirroring the data-driven approaches seen on social media. Innovations like Roku's "Action Ads" enable users to make purchases directly via their remotes, enhancing the interactive ad experience. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of transparency in advertising, effective content partnerships, and forward-looking predictions for CTV’s role in the future of digital marketing.