

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast
EMARKETER
EMARKETER’s podcast, Behind the Numbers, helps marketers, retailers, and advertisers understand the rapidly changing landscape of digital media. EMARKETER analysts and industry experts come together to analyze a wide variety of critical topics, from the transformative influence of AI to the dynamic world of social media, and the evolving landscape of consumer shopping habits. Stay informed and stay ahead with insights and analysis that matter. Tune in to new episodes published Monday through Friday wherever you find podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 9, 2026 • 35min
The Great BTN Bake (Take) Off — GenAI Trends for 2026: Google Overtakes OpenAI and an AI Reality Check Looms Large | Behind the Numbers
Nate Elliott, a Principal AI analyst, and Jacob Bourne, a Senior Analyst specializing in AI and tech, dive deep into the future of artificial intelligence. They discuss why Google might surpass OpenAI by 2026, citing Google's extensive product reach and user base. Jacob warns of potential constraints on the AI boom, highlighting energy shortages and infrastructure issues. The pair also explore the implications of regulation and the financial fragility of smaller AI firms, making for a thought-provoking conversation on the industry's evolution.

Jan 7, 2026 • 26min
The Great BTN Bake (Take) Off — Retail Trends for 2026: How AI Will Change the Digital Shelf and IRL Customers Interactions | Reimagining Retail
Our analysts (or “bakers”) will compete in a Great British Bake Off–style episode, discussing how the digital shelf for ecommerce will adapt to speak to AI audiences and how retailers will counter AI’s rise by connecting with customers IRL. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Principal Analyst Sky Canaves, and Senior Analyst Blake Droesch.
Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-trends-2026-how-ai-will-change-digital-shelf-irl-customers-interactions
© 2026 EMARKETER

Jan 5, 2026 • 20min
The Great BTN Bake (Take) Off — Digital Trends for 2026: Agentic Ad Buying and the Video Podcast Winners | Behind the Numbers
Join Yory Wurmser, a principal analyst specializing in ad tech, and Ross Benes, a senior analyst focused on podcasts, as they compete in a fun bake-off style discussion. Yory predicts agentic ad buying will revolutionize the industry by automating processes, while Ross reveals how YouTube's established platform will dominate the upcoming surge in video podcasts. They also delve into the challenges of adopting new standards, the significance of visual engagement, and factors that make video podcasts truly captivating. A lively clash of insights awaits!

Jan 2, 2026 • 33min
The Big 2026 Quiz: Random Trivia, Future Major Headlines, and Defining Moments | Behind the Numbers
Blake Droesch, a Senior Analyst at EMARKETER, joins the discussion to tackle a fun yet insightful quiz about the future of digital media and consumer behaviors. They dive into predictions for YouTube's TV share and the evolving role of AI in shopping, debating how much control shoppers will really give AI agents. The team also shares forecasts on the adoption of smart glasses and the future of social commerce. Packed with trivia and expert insights, it’s a lively exploration of what 2026 might hold!

Dec 30, 2025 • 25min
Welcome to 2026: AI Agents Manage Money and the Bank-Grade Stablecoin Economy | The Banking & Payments Show
In today’s episode, we explore consumers’ use of agentic AI in their financial lives, and the development of stablecoin payment rails becoming “bank grade” in 2026. Join the discussion with host and Head of Business Development Rob Rubin, and Senior Analysts Grace Broadbent and Myra Thomas.
Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to: https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-welcome-2026-ai-agents-manage-money-bank-grade-stablecoin-economy-banking-payments-show
© 2025 EMARKETER
Campaigns take flight with Viasat Ads. Unlock access to over 250 million passengers annually across leading global airlines, with high-engagement ad formats and real-time delivery. Viasat Ads provides access to a verified audience in a captive environment, so your message reaches passengers when they are ready to engage. Join their journey with Viasat Ads.

Dec 24, 2025 • 25min
2025 Retail Awards — Must-Visit Store, Greatest Glow-Up, Best Collab, AI Power Move, and Most Impactful Campaign | Reimagining Retail
On today's podcast episode, we give out our '2025 Retail Awards' for the 'Must-Visit Store of the Year', 'Glow-Up of the Year', 'AI Power Move', 'Collab of the Year', and 'Campaign of the Year'. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst Blake Droesch, and Analysts Arielle Feger and Rachel Wolff.
To learn more about our research and get access to PRO+ go to EMARKETER.com
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-reimagining-retail-2025-retail-awards-must-visit-glow-up-best-collab-ai-impactful
© 2025 EMARKETER
Campaigns take flight with Viasat Ads. Unlock access to over 250 million passengers annually across leading global airlines, with high-engagement ad formats and real-time delivery. Viasat Ads provides access to a verified audience in a captive environment, so your message reaches passengers when they are ready to engage. Join their journey with Viasat Ads.

Dec 23, 2025 • 20min
AI-Driven Media Management, with Gigi and Amazon Ads (Part 2) | EMARKETER Miniseries
On today’s EMARKETER Miniseries—AI-Driven Media Management—we explore the core building blocks of AI innovation, what partnering with Amazon Ads looks like in practice, and advice for leaders or teams who don’t come from technical backgrounds but need to build or use AI systems. EMARKETER Senior Director of Content Jeremy Goldman speaks with Adam Epstein, co-founder and CEO of Gigi. Listen everywhere you find podcasts, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
To learn more about our research and get access to PRO+ go to EMARKETER.com
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-ai-driven-media-management-with-gigi-amazon-ads-part-2-emarketer-miniseries
© 2025 EMARKETER
Amazon Ads offers full-funnel advertising solutions to help businesses of all sizes achieve their marketing goals at scale. Amazon Ads connects advertisers to highly relevant audiences through first-party insights; extensive reach across premium content like Prime Video, Twitch, and third-party publishers; the ability to connect and directly measure campaign tactics across awareness, consideration, and conversion; and generative AI to deliver appropriate creative at each step. Amazon Ads helps advertisers reach an average monthly ad-supported audience of more than 300 million in the U.S. across Amazon's owned and operated properties and third-party publishers.

Dec 22, 2025 • 27min
The Next-Generation of In-Flight Advertising: Passenger Receptiveness, Contextual Campaigns, and What Comes Next | Behind the Numbers
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss airline passengers’ receptiveness to ads, share best-in-class examples of contextual campaigns, and explore where in-flight ads are headed next. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Senior Director of Content Jeremy Goldman, and Ragu Kamakshisundaram, Vice President of Media and Monetization at Viasat Ads. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
To learn more about our research and get access to PRO+, go to EMARKETER.com
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities, contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/
podcast-next-generation-of-in-flight-advertising-passenger-receptiveness-contextual-campaigns-what-c
© 2025 EMARKETER
Campaigns take flight with Viasat Ads. Unlock access to over 250 million passengers annually across leading global airlines, with high-engagement ad formats and real-time delivery. Viasat Ads provides access to a verified audience in a captive environment, so your message reaches passengers when they are ready to engage. Join their journey with Viasat Ads.

Dec 19, 2025 • 36min
What If? Prime Cost Less, OpenAI Bought Apple (or Vice Versa), and the Netflix–WBD Deal Never Happens | Behind the Numbers
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss our “very specific but highly unlikely” predictions for 2026: what Amazon will do with the price of Prime; between OpenAI and Apple, who’s most likely to buy whom; and why a potential WBD acquisition by Netflix might not go through in 2026—if at all. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Nate Elliott, and Vice Presidents of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
To learn more about our research and get access to PRO+ go to EMARKETER.com
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-behind-numbe-what-if-prime-cost-less-openai-bought-apple-netflix-wbd-deal-never-happens
© 2025 EMARKETER
Campaigns take flight with Viasat Ads. Unlock access to over 250 million passengers annually across leading global airlines, with high-engagement ad formats and real-time delivery. Viasat Ads provides access to a verified audience in a captive environment, so your message reaches passengers when they are ready to engage. Join their journey with Viasat Ads.

Dec 18, 2025 • 21min
AI-Driven Media Management, with Gigi and Amazon Ads (Part 1) | EMARKETER Miniseries
On today’s EMARKETER Miniseries—AI-Driven Media Management—we explore how to break down the media manager role into workflows that can be automated or augmented by agentic AI, what agencies misunderstand about AI, and which agency tasks are ripest to hand off to AI right now. EMARKETER Senior Director of Content Jeremy Goldman speaks with Adam Epstein, co-founder and CEO of Gigi. Listen everywhere you find podcasts, and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
To learn more about our research and get access to PRO+ go to EMARKETER.com
Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/
For sponsorship opportunities contact us: advertising@emarketer.com
For more information visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/
Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com
For a transcript of this episode click here:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-ai-driven-media-management-with-gigi-amazon-ads-part-1
© 2025 EMARKETER
Amazon Ads offers full-funnel advertising solutions to help businesses of all sizes achieve their marketing goals at scale. Amazon Ads connects advertisers to highly relevant audiences through first-party insights; extensive reach across premium content like Prime Video, Twitch, and third-party publishers; the ability to connect and directly measure campaign tactics across awareness, consideration, and conversion; and generative AI to deliver appropriate creative at each step. Amazon Ads helps advertisers reach an average monthly ad-supported audience of more than 300 million in the U.S. across Amazon's owned and operated properties and third-party publishers.


