Mobile Dev Memo Podcast

Jonathan Moffie, Head of Agentic Product at Magnite and founder of Streamer.ai, dives into the world of generative AI in CTV advertising. He explains how GenAI transforms ad production, discussing its effectiveness compared to social media and the quality expectations for CTV creatives. The conversation also touches on how GenAI can benefit local advertisers and the importance of integrating creative tools with media buying to enhance return on ad spend. They explore dynamic in-stream product placements and the barriers advertisers face in the CTV landscape.

In this discussion, Amanda Engelman, Director of Product for Advertising at Shopify, dives into the innovative Shopify Product Network. She explains how it connects merchants, enabling them to showcase products from other Shopify sellers on their storefronts. Amanda clarifies that SPN isn't just an ad network—it's a new form of merchandising and sourcing. She highlights merchant reactions, the commission model, and future expansion ideas, illustrating how this initiative could reshape the e-commerce landscape.

Peter Stuart, founder of Velora Digital and former editor of Cyclingnews, dives into the transformative power of AI in media. He shares his journey in cycling journalism and the philosophy behind his AI-first approach, detailing how it streamlines editorial workflows while still valuing human oversight. Stuart tackles skepticism around AI in publishing, emphasizing the need for transparency in AI-generated content. He also discusses the potential for small teams to leverage AI for greater output, and the exciting future he envisions for Velora Cycling.

Join Anindya Ghose, an NYU professor specializing in AI and digital advertising, and Vilma Todri, an Emory professor focused on digital user behavior, as they explore the efficacy of generative AI in ad creation. They discuss their fascinating findings that AI-generated ads can boost click-through rates by up to 19%, while modifications by humans may underperform. They also delve into how less creative constraints enhance AI output and reveal the differences between visual and textual AI's effectiveness in marketing. Perfect for anyone intrigued by the intersection of AI and advertising!

Rishabh Jain, CEO and co-founder of FERMÀT Commerce, dives into the fast-evolving world of AI in eCommerce. He discusses the transformative impact of chatbots on shopping habits, especially around Black Friday, and explores the future of 'agentic commerce.' Jain also highlights how retailers are adapting their strategies to incorporate AI search and personalization while critiquing OpenAI's Instant Checkout. With insights on ad attribution challenges, he outlines effective tactics for enhancing visibility and engagement in a changing landscape.

Mikołaj Barczentewicz, a law professor and EU data protection expert, dives deep into the proposed Digital Omnibus package aimed at reforming GDPR. He discusses the motivation behind the reforms and how they could impact small businesses and the EU's AI industry. Mikołaj critiques whether the changes will genuinely alleviate compliance burdens and highlights ongoing political opposition. He also explores the implications of cookie consent changes and the balance between user choice and privacy. Expect insights on the evolving landscape of EU tech regulation!

Simon Whitcombe, Vice President of Global Business Group at Meta, shares his insights on how Meta's Business AI tools are transforming advertising. He discusses the AI business assistant that optimizes ad performance and its broader applications beyond advertising. Simon emphasizes the importance of creative differentiation over mere volume increases and tackles advertiser feedback on AI adoption trends among small and large businesses. They also explore the evolving digital advertising landscape post-COVID and how AI tools are expanding opportunities for small businesses.

The discussion explores OpenAI's challenge in finding a sustainable revenue model and the case for personalized ads over affiliate marketing for chatbots. It highlights the risks of failing to monetize effectively and the influence of OpenAI's marketing in shaping AI narratives. The conversation delves into ethical perspectives on technology, contrasting Heidegger's and Dewey's views. Additionally, it examines misconceptions surrounding affiliate models, the rise of multimodal chatbots, and the impact of advertising auctions on consumer welfare.

Luca Fiaschi, a data science leader at PyMC Labs, dives into innovative ways machine learning can redefine ad evaluation. They discuss his recent paper on whether LLMs can replicate human purchase intent through scoring product concepts. Luca shares insights on how LLMs could streamline creative testing by using synthetic consumer models and Bayesian methods. The conversation highlights the challenges of creative volume and the promise of LLM-generated insights to enhance marketing strategies, making testing more efficient and cost-effective.

Sylvain Gauchet, an expert in app monetization and former Babbel revenue director, shares his insights on growth strategies for subscription apps. He discusses the appeal of creative growth over software development and the flexibility of fractional roles. Sylvain reveals tips for validating app ideas using lean ad tests, and highlights the importance of monitoring key metrics like D1/D7 ROAS. He emphasizes the ethics of managing subscriptions and offers priceless advice on pricing strategies and localization for diverse markets.