The Digiday Podcast

This week’s episode recaps the YouTube TV-Disney distribution standoff (5:50), Netflix’s interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery (14:50) and the rising revenue Google and Meta are reaping from their respective short-form video platforms (20:00). Then Tracy Yaverbaun, gm of The Times and Sunday Times, joins the show to talk about the British news publisher’s work with Electric Twin to create a synthetic audience research panel based on The Times’ human reader panel (27:20).

On this week's episode, digital creator and actor Kalen Allen talks navigating brand safety and the so-called culture wars in the creator economy (24:50). Plus, what WPP Open Pro launch says about the agency AI arms race, Reddit’s Perplexity lawsuit and the future AI framework, and the latest on the Warner Bros. Discovery possible sale.

David Huntzinger, agent at talent management firm Night, shares insights on the evolving creator economy. He emphasizes the importance of direct brand relationships for enhanced creativity and authenticity. The conversation dives into how small creators often manage direct deals, while larger ones rely on agents. Huntzinger discusses the transformation of creators into media channels and the impact of AI on negotiations, suggesting that creators need to plan strategically for upcoming partnerships. He also highlights trends reshaping the industry, like product development and e-commerce integration.

This week’s episode recaps Instagram eyeing the launch of a CTV app and Perplexity putting its ad business on pause. Then Digiday platforms reporter Krystal Scanlon joins the show to to discuss the state of the short-form video market as all-AI entrants like OpenAI’s Sora and Meta’s Vibes enter the fray alongside the impending TikTok U.S.

Seb Joseph, Executive News Editor at Digiday, and Ronan Shields, Senior Ad Tech Reporter, dive into the turbulent waters facing The Trade Desk. They discuss its competitive challenges against giants like Amazon and Google, revealing how Trade Desk's past dominance is now overshadowed by lost strategic advantages, particularly after the end of Walmart's exclusivity. Investors have reacted strongly to financial misses and the perception of decreased flexibility. The conversation explores Trade Desk’s future, including its potential for acquisitions and strategic pivots.

Stephanie Wu, Editor-in-chief of Eater, offers a fascinating glimpse into her daily life. She reveals her early morning routines, balancing work and family as she starts her day around 6:30 am. With a unique inbox-zero strategy and a methodical to-do list, Stephanie shares how she manages meetings and prioritizes deep work. She also discusses the inspiration she finds dining out and how she limits restaurant visits to maintain balance. Wrapping up her day, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of winding down with reading and quiet time.

Join Sam Han, the Chief AI Officer at The Washington Post, as he unpacks the intriguing role of an AI overseer in a media environment. He shares insights on how AI strategies optimize paywalls, resulting in a 20% boost in customer value. Dive into the evolving landscape of TikTok's U.S. operations and Disney's media controversies, alongside discussions about Meta's shift towards usage-based licensing. Han also touches on the challenges of recruiting top AI talent amidst fierce competition from tech giants.

Retail media networks have been striking deals and inking partnerships with social and streaming platforms to open up ad inventory across the internet. It’s a push to get advertisers to see RMNs as full funnel marketing channels as opposed to a search and display one trick pony. Now, if advertisers like Ferrero see it as such, that’s still up for debate (18:29). Also on this episode, why Paramount Skydance is eyeing a bid for Warner Bros Discovery (3:18), what the Amazon and Netflix DSP deal could mean for The Trade Desk (8:47) and inside the FTC’s latest big tech probe (14:30).

Jessica Davies and Sara Guaglione, both senior media experts at Digiday, dive into how AI is dramatically reshaping the search landscape for publishers. They discuss the rise of AI chatbots in online search and the implications for traffic and engagement metrics. The conversation touches on Google's legal challenges, Apple's push for its own AI search engine, and the call for regulatory action regarding new AI tools like Gemini. They explore how publishers can adapt to these rapid changes and the importance of maintaining quality in journalism.

Sara Jerde, Managing Editor at Digiday, breaks down a chaotic summer in media and marketing. She discusses the rise of AI competitors and how they're challenging traditional advertising channels. The conversation also touches on Google's looming antitrust trials and the significance of tariffs on the back-to-school season. Jerde highlights the shift back to TV bundles in streaming services and the ongoing negotiation struggles for publishers, revealing the intricate changes shaping the industry's landscape.