

ADSN
James Borow and Daniel Druger
ADSN (The Ads Network) is a weekly show for people building and investing in ads, media, and monetization products. Every Tuesday, join James Borow and Daniel Druger as they bring over 30 years of experience to discuss the headlines and the why and how behind them. They also welcome industry leaders to go deep on topics in a fun and approachable format.
Join the ADSN crew every Tuesday 🗓️
Join the ADSN crew every Tuesday 🗓️
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 25, 2023 • 44min
EP: 37 A Taking Inventory Classic: Eric Seufert on the future of ads, ecom, the walled gardens, and more
Media strategist and author, Eric Seufert, discusses the concept of everything as an ad network, the value of first-party data, and the rise of on-platform commerce. He also explores the concept of a content fortress and shares his interest in macroeconomics and reading habits.

Dec 18, 2023 • 36min
36: How investment banks evaluate tech companies, a bull market for ads, and 2024 market outlook with ROTH MKM’s Rohit Kulkarni
In this episode of the Taking Inventory Podcast, Rohit Kulkarni, Managing Director at ROTH MKM, an investment bank, explains the process and game theory involved in evaluating public tech companies. He breaks down everything that goes into good analysis from financial models, buyer and supplier interviews, and even “battle testing” tech. We cover all of that and much more in this week’s episode. And make sure to listen as James finally gets his answer for why The Trade Desk is worth so much; his take may surprise you.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Rohit
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitkulkarnilnkd
Learn more about ROTH MKM: https://www.roth.com/
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Dec 11, 2023 • 46min
35 - James Borow & Daniel Druger, get interviewed on the Marketecture podcast
In this special episode of 'Taking Inventory', Daniel Druger and James Borow are interviewed by the hosts of the Marketecture podcast. They talk about their ad tech startup, Market, their vision for an AI-driven future of marketing, and share their insights on topics from social commerce to retail media. Additionally, they discuss the inception of the 'Taking Inventory' podcast, the role of personality in business branding, and updates on recent developments in the advertising tech space. The discussion also covers potential strategies suggested for Twitter/X amid recent leadership changes, and a review of Google's new AI model, Gemini. This episode offers a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of marketing technology.
—
Where to find Marketecture:
Website: https://www.marketecture.tv/
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Dec 4, 2023 • 25min
34: Building a business with TikTok and the power of UGC with Sapphire Studio’s Anish Dalal
In this episode of the Taking Inventory Podcast, Anish Dalal, CEO and Co-founder of Sapphire Studios, a performance content marketing agency, reveals the surprising power of user-generated content (UGC), especially on platforms like TikTok. Anish discusses Sapphire's strategy behind scripting successful UGC for clients, their innovative work using AI for scripting, the future of the creative space, and the pitfalls brands often encounter. He also reflects on his journey as an entrepreneur, from app development to performance creative. We touch on a bunch of themes including AI assistance for e-commerce marketing, the impact of UGC on social media marketing, and the growth journey of TikTok.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Anish Dalal:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/anish-dalal-1b503472/
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Nov 28, 2023 • 37min
33: Ali Manning, Co-Founder of Chalice, on the future of AI and advertising across the open web
Ali Manning, Co-founder and COO of Chalice Custom Algorithms, discusses the power of AI in e-commerce, the impact of AI on ad agencies, and the integration of Chalice with open web platforms. They also explore the importance of brands having control in ad buying, the potential of custom algorithms in advertising, and the carbon footprint of advertising. The chapter on advantages of the open web vs wall gardens highlights Chalice as a company to learn more about.

Nov 20, 2023 • 40min
32: James Avery & Andrew Covato on $AMZN playing nice w $SHOP/$META/$SNAP, where $TTD goes next, and how ad platforms are ignoring the measurement realities of 2023.
Andrew Covato (Former Snap & Netflix Exec) and James Avery (CEO of Kevel) join for a special episode to talk all things retail media and measurement. Key topics include $AMZN playing nice with $SHOP/$META/$SNAP, where $TTD goes next, and how most ad platforms are ignoring the measurement realities of 2023.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Andrew Covato:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcovato
Where to find James Avery:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyj/
—
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Nov 13, 2023 • 43min
31 Ray Ghanbari, the CTO of Index Exchange, talks building for massive scale and how ad tech, fintech and healthcare tech are more similar than you would think.
In this episode of the Taking Inventory, we welcome Ray Ghanbari, the CTO of Index Exchange. As an experienced technologist with a deep understanding of analytics and data-driven value creation, Ray shares his insights into the changing landscape of AdTech. The discussion covers topics including the role of AI in e-commerce marketing, the importance of transparency and efficiency in the AdTech ecosystem, the challenges of managing Internet-scale transactions, combating ad fraud, and the future of the industry. Ray draws on his varied experiences with companies like Solera Holdings, FICO, Yahoo, and many more to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future of AdTech.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Ray Ghanbari:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rghanbari/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndexExchange/status/1488538452979240973
—
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Nov 6, 2023 • 53min
30: Steven Rosenblatt on going from operator to VC, transforming Foursquare, and launching iAd during the Steve Jobs era
This week, we spoke with Steven Rosenblatt, Co-Founder of Oceans Ventures. As an operator, he launched the iAd platform for Apple under Steve Jobs' leadership. Subsequently, he served as the President of Foursquare, where he spearheaded the company's transformation into a location data powerhouse. Steven shared his thoughts on the transition from ad industry leadership to professional investing and discussed his strategies for collaborating with founders as an operator-turned-investor.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Steven Rosenblatt:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrosenblatt/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevenjr76
—
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Oct 30, 2023 • 35min
29 - Ali Kashani on why self-driving delivery robots and advertising are going to lower the cost of commerce
This week we talk with Ali Kashani, Co-Founder & CEO of Serve Robotics about the startup's journey from Postmates' special projects team to its acquisition by Uber, and spin-out, and how advertising is a key driver to lowering the costs of commerce.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Ali Kashani:
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikashani/
—
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/

Oct 23, 2023 • 46min
28: Jessica Yellin tells us why people are turning to news influencers and away from cable news, how political ads really work, and what to expect this election cycle
EPISODE NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the start of the Israel and Hamas war.
This week's guest: Jessica Yellin
Jessica Yellin is the founder of News Not Noise, which brings news to people in new and engaging ways. She breaks down complicated issues, interviews experts, and answers questions with facts and context, all from the phone. Prior to that, Yellin was the Chief White House Correspondent for CNN where she interviewed President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama, among others. Jessica is a Peabody, Gracie and Emmy award-winning political journalist and also the author of Savage News, which was published in 2019.
–––––––––––––––––––––––
Where to find Jessica:
Instagram (Jessica also reports directly from this account): https://www.instagram.com/jessicayellin/
X: https://twitter.com/jessicayellin
News Not Noise: https://newsnotnoise.com/
—
Where to find James and Daniel:
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
—
Don't miss an episode of Taking Inventory. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter!
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/


