

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

Oct 10, 2025 • 22min
Gen Z’s Social Media Shuffle: Why 83% Are Turning the Volume Down — and Where They’re Going Next | Behind the Numbers
 On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Gen Zers are trying to limit their social media use, which platforms they are moving to (and away from), and where they are engaging with social creators offline. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Analyst, Paola Florez-Marquez, and Senior Analyst, Minda Smiley. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.
 
Report mentioned in this episode: https://content-na1.emarketer.com/gen-z-social-media-usage-2025
 
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-gen-z-s-social-media-shuffle-why-83-turning-volume-down-where-they-re-going-behind-numbers
 
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumers skip ads but not rewards. Fetch drives performance with 12.5M+ monthly users and 11.5M+ receipts scanned daily, capturing 88% of household spend. Your brand becomes the reward earning real engagement, verified purchases, and lasting loyalty. Fetch: America’s Rewards App. Where brands are the center of joy. Learn more at business.fetch.com. 

Oct 8, 2025 • 24min
How Primark US is Going From Hidden Gem to Household Name with CMO Rene Federico | Reimagining Retail
 In this podcast episode, we discuss how Primark’s US and UK customers see the brand differently, what’s kept the retailer relevant as price pressures have intensified competition, and why its famously store-first strategy is working so well. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and guest host, Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst, Carina Perkins, and Head of US Marketing for Primark, Rene Federico.
 
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-how-primark-us-going-hidden-gem-household-name-with-cmo-rene-federico
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumers skip ads but not rewards. Fetch drives performance with 12.5M+ monthly users and 11.5M+ receipts scanned daily, capturing 88% of household spend. Your brand becomes the reward earning real engagement, verified purchases, and lasting loyalty. Fetch: America’s Rewards App. Where brands are the center of joy. Learn more at business.fetch.com. 

Oct 6, 2025 • 21min
The AI Ad Dilemma: Consumer Trust, Controversial Ads, and the Future of Media Buying | Behind the Numbers
 On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the moving target that is consumers’ perception of using AI in advertising, how marketers feel about the technology, and the share of ad buying that is likely to be delegated to AI. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Analyst, Marisa Jones, and Senior Analyst, Gadjo Sevilla. 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-ai-ad-dilemma-consumer-trust-controversial-ads-future-of-media-buying-behind-numbers
 
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumers skip ads but not rewards. Fetch drives performance with 12.5M+ monthly users and 11.5M+ receipts scanned daily, capturing 88% of household spend. Your brand becomes the reward earning real engagement, verified purchases, and lasting loyalty. Fetch: America’s Rewards App. Where brands are the center of joy. Learn more at business.fetch.com. 

Oct 3, 2025 • 20min
How Marketers Use AI at Work: Skills, Stigma, and the Future of Advertising Jobs | Behind the Numbers
 The discussion delves into how AI is reshaping job roles in advertising, with concerns over layoffs and the loss of entry-level positions. Marketing strategies today heavily utilize generative AI for data analysis and content creation, yet the stigma of using AI at work raises fears of judgment among employees. There's a crucial need for training in AI skills, alongside ethical considerations for its use. The conversation also touches on the balance between traditional SEO practices and the emerging necessity of generative engine optimization. 

Oct 1, 2025 • 19min
How (Not) to Rebrand | Reimagining Retail
 Joining from Chicago, Zak Stamborg, Senior Analyst at eMarketer, dives into the intricacies of rebranding. He explores the difference between a brand refresh and a full rebrand, and discusses triggers for rebranding, citing examples like luxury brands and Cracker Barrel's missteps. Zak also analyzes successful strategies of Kia and Uber while emphasizing the role of nostalgia in brand strategy. He shares practical tips for mitigating rebrand risks, ensuring brands evolve without losing their core identity. 

Sep 29, 2025 • 33min
From Idea to Impact: GoodRx’s ‘Savings Wrangler’ and the Road Ahead, with CMO Ryan Sullivan | Behind the Numbers
 On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how “The Savings Wrangler” campaign was dreamt up, how GoodRx will measure its success, and what new spaces the medication savings company is moving into. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host, Marcus Johnson, Senior Analysts, Rajiv Leventhal and Beth Snyder Bulik, and Chief Marketing Officer at GoodRx, Ryan Sullivan. 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-idea-impact-goodrx-s-savings-wrangler-road-ahead-with-cmo-ryan-sullivan-behind-numbers
 
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumer attention is fragmented across multiple platforms and making informed advertising decisions is more critical—and complex—than ever. With Nielsen Ad Intel, you can streamline your strategy, minimize wasted spend, and identify opportunities to differentiate your brand, empowering you to stay ahead in an ever-changing market. Discover more today. https://www.nielsen.com/ 

Sep 26, 2025 • 34min
What If? A Billionaire Bought CNN or CNBC, Pepsi Was Cut In Half, and Connected Car Ads Were Amazing | Behind the Numbers
 In this lively discussion, Suzy Davidkhanian, Vice President of Content at eMarketer, Paul Verna, and Oscar Orozco tackle wild predictions for 2026. They explore the possibility of a billionaire buying CNN or CNBC, driven by industry shifts and consolidation. Suzy proposes that Pepsi might split its snack and beverage divisions to enhance focus and innovation. Oscar predicts the rise of connected car ads, discussing how data and AI could transform in-car advertising experiences, all while navigating privacy concerns. 

Sep 24, 2025 • 28min
The Unofficial Most Interesting Retailers List (September) — Back-to-College Campaigns and Activations | Reimagining Retail
 On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of September, with a twist. This month ‘The Committee’ (Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Emmy Liederman) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight most interesting back-to-college campaigns and activations. In this month’s episode, Committee members Analyst, Arielle Feger and Senior Director of Content, Becky Schilling will defend their list against Analyst, Rachel Wolff and Senior Analyst, Blake Droesch, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.
 
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-unofficial-most-interesting-retailers-list-september-back-to-college-reimagining-retail
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumer attention is fragmented across multiple platforms and making informed advertising decisions is more critical—and complex—than ever. With Nielsen Ad Intel, you can streamline your strategy, minimize wasted spend, and identify opportunities to differentiate your brand, empowering you to stay ahead in an ever-changing market. Discover more today. www.nielsen.com 

Sep 22, 2025 • 27min
What If? Snap Smart Glasses vs. Meta’s, Netflix’s Shoppable Ads & TikTok’s GenAI Assistant | Behind the Numbers
 On today’s podcast episode, we discuss our ‘very specific, but highly unlikely’ predictions for the end of 2025 and start of 2026. Whether Snap’s Spectacles will gain traction faster than Meta’s Ray-Bans have, if Netflix will start showing users shoppable product placement ads, and if TikTok will introduce a GenAI assistant to the app with commercial intent. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Director of Reports Editing, Rahul Chadha, Senior Analyst, Max Willens, and Principal Analyst, Yory Wurmser. 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-what-if-snap-smart-glasses-vs-meta-s-netflix-s-shoppable-ads-tiktok-s-genai-assistant-behind
 
 
© 2025 EMARKETER
 
Consumer attention is fragmented across multiple platforms and making informed advertising decisions is more critical—and complex—than ever. With Nielsen Ad Intel, you can streamline your strategy, minimize wasted spend, and identify opportunities to differentiate your brand, empowering you to stay ahead in an ever-changing market. Discover more today. https://www.nielsen.com/ 

Sep 19, 2025 • 23min
The Most Interesting Thing At Advertising Week New York 2025 Is ... ? | Behind the Numbers
 Daniel Konstantinovic, Senior Editor at EMARKETER, dives into the must-see sessions at Advertising Week 2025. The conversation explores how social media shapes consumer decisions and trust in health information online. They debate the potential of AI replacing platforms like Reddit for advice, while discussing streaming challenges and agency models evolving under AI pressures. Daniel offers insight into how agencies must adapt to stay relevant amidst economic uncertainty. It's an engaging look at the future of advertising and digital strategies! 


