The Monopoly Report

Host Alan Chapell talks about the proposed Omnicom IPG merger and the future of agency holding companies with Arielle Garcia of Check My Ads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Monopoly Report, host Alan Chapell discusses Google's December 2024 policy shift on device fingerprinting with adtech privacy and legal thought leader Julia Shullman. They attempt to place historical context on the definition of device fingerprinting and speculate on Google's rationale - both for Google's recent about face and for instituting the anti-fingerprinting policy in the first place. They also talk about changes coming to the CTV ads and privacy space and share a few stories outlining how difficult it can be to gain consensus in the ads space when it comes to industry standards.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Omar Tawakol, founder and CEO of Rembrandt and former leader of BlueKai, dives into the fascinating world of AI product placement. He discusses the evolution of data privacy in advertising, balancing consumer control with targeted marketing. The conversation highlights Rembrandt's innovative approach to seamlessly integrate products into content, revolutionizing viewer engagement. Omar also critiques traditional advertising methods and explores the challenges and strategies within the complex landscape of tech governance and corporate transitions.

Jules Polonetsky and Doug Miller of the Future of Privacy Forum join Alan Chapell to talk clean rooms. Are standards needed for data clean rooms? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alysa Hutnik is a privacy law expert at Kelley Drye & Warren and she and Alan talk about the strange phenomenon of CPIA lawsuits using wiretapping statutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NAI is a trade association that was formed 25 years ago to create privacy standards for digital advertising. David has been with the NAI for six and a half years and has previously worked on public policy and legislative issues in the software industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don is the VP of Ecosystem Innovation at Raptive, and spent over four years at Mozilla. We have a wide-ranging conversation about the browsers, do not track, and how they may innovate in a post-antritrust world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garrett McGrath, SVP of product at Magnite and board chair for Prebid, shares his expertise on the shifting landscape of ad tech. He discusses the implications of Google's Privacy Sandbox and the challenges posed by the deprecation of third-party cookies. The conversation reveals concerns over Google's market dominance and potential anti-competitive practices. McGrath also emphasizes the importance of navigating the regulatory scrutiny from the UK Competition and Markets Authority, ultimately questioning its impact on publishers and the broader digital ecosystem.

In this discussion, Bill Wise, a key figure from MediaOcean, delves into the intricacies of Google's dominance in digital advertising. He highlights the ongoing DOJ and UK investigations, raising questions about Google's potentially monopolistic practices. Bill explores the challenges posed by the Privacy Sandbox initiative, shedding light on data access and consumer privacy. Additionally, he evaluates potential regulatory changes that could reshape the advertising landscape and the role of emerging competitors like AI in challenging Google's stronghold.

Alan Chapell and Duncan McCall talk location privacy in the advertising industry, highlighting the pressing need for better consumer protection. They discuss how the precise location space has faced significant scrutiny due to privacy concerns, particularly as real-world examples of harm emerge. Duncan shares insights from his experience founding PlaceIQ, illustrating how the landscape has evolved from basic location data usage to more sophisticated targeting and analytics, while also addressing the challenges of fraud and misinformation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-regulation within the industry and the role of major tech companies in shaping privacy rules, often prioritizing their business interests over consumer welfare. As they explore the balance between innovation and ethical practices, they underscore the ongoing struggle to keep consumer data safe in an ever-evolving digital environment.Companies mentioned in this episode: Google Apple Amazon Meta Walmart Planned Parenthood Blue Kai Reclaim Fetch PlaceIQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices