The Digiday Podcast

Jennifer Wong, the Chief Operating Officer at Reddit, shares insights on the platform's ambitious plans to morph into a competitive search engine. She discusses the implementation of the Reddit Answers feature to boost search capabilities and highlights the role of AI in enhancing user experiences. The conversation also explores the dynamic landscape of streaming with Disney's integration of Hulu, alongside recent developments in the advertising sector, making for a riveting discussion on the future of media and technology.

This week’s episode recaps Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s personal superintelligence memo, the reported price Amazon is paying to license The New York Times’s content and a check-in on the TV and streaming advertising upfront as negotiations wrap up. Then (18:51), Digiday senior media reporter Sara Guaglione and executive editor of news Seb Joseph join the show to share their reporting on a recent meeting between IAB Tech Lab, more than 80 publishers and AI giants including Google and Meta to discuss how publishers can respond to AI companies scraping their sites.

Alexander Lee, a senior entertainment media reporter, and Krystal Scanlon, a platforms reporter, dive deep into the evolving creator economy. They discuss the implications of the recent Paramount and Skydance merger, especially regarding diversity and corporate governance. The duo explores challenges faced by lifestyle creators, including TikTok's uncertain future and shifting audience interests. They also highlight a trend towards long-term collaborations in influencer marketing and the rising significance of platforms like LinkedIn for B2B engagements.

This week’s episode recaps what CBS's cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert says about the media business and takes a look at OpenAI's agentic AI offering. Then (24:20) Albert Thompson, head of digital innovation at ad agency Walton Isaacson, joins the show in a live recording from Digiday’s CTV Advertising Strategies event to break down why the CTV ad industry needs to prioritize more native ad formats.

Brandon Edelman, known as Brand Flakes on TikTok, shares his journey as a full-time content creator, revealing the secrets behind his brand partnerships and the challenges of post-TikTok life. Krystal Scanlon discusses the implications of Linda Yaccarino's departure from X, the impact of WPP's leadership changes, and how AI is transforming the advertising landscape. The conversation dives into the evolving role of creators and the importance of navigating content creation with passion and authenticity.

Michelle Khare, a YouTuber renowned for her show Challenge Accepted, shares her journey of elevating content while riding the wave of potential Emmy nominations. She discusses the intricate challenges behind high-stakes productions and the balance between audience engagement and personal passion. Meanwhile, co-hosts Kimeko McCoy and Tim Peterson dive into Paramount's settlement with the Trump administration and the ongoing tensions between European publishers and Google's AI initiatives, alongside TikTok's strategies for maintaining relevance in the U.S.

Danielle Pistotnik, a talent manager at Select Management Group and executive producer of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," shares insights into the evolving reality TV landscape. She discusses the challenges of creating a show centered on TikTok creators and navigating traditional media. The conversation touches on Meta's acquisition strategies, FTC approvals affecting advertising, and Netflix's expansion into French networks. The dialogue captures the intersection of social media influence and conventional entertainment, highlighting fresh perspectives in the creator economy.

Carly Carson, Head of Integrated Media at PMG, shares insights from Cannes Lions 2025, where she reflects on the industry’s struggles and innovations. She discusses the crucial role of human intuition in AI applications and warns about data quality—"garbage in, garbage out." Carson also highlights the shifting landscape of ad spending, urging marketers to adapt to new consumer behaviors in video and retail. The conversation emphasizes building genuine relationships and co-creating future strategies amid economic challenges, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.

Rachel Lindsay, former Bachelorette and co-host of the Higher Learning podcast, shares her journey as a content creator and emphasizes the need for genuine connections at events like Cannes. Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify's head of podcast business, discusses the platform's support for creators and the importance of diverse revenue streams. They delve into the evolving monetization landscape, the transition from audio to video content, and how collaboration can enhance the creative experience while building trust within the community.

A few years ago, Twitter Beach was one of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity places to be. Nowadays, the beach and Twitter execs are harder to find. Instead of the flashy fireside chats and branded lounges, X’s execs are found behind closed doors, quietly courting marketers and media buyers against a backdrop of lawsuits, Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM)’s disbanding and political crosshairs. It’s a clear sign that the platform’s role in the ad ecosystem– and culture overall–has dramatically shifted. In this episode of the podcast, platforms reporter Krystal Scanlon joins host Kimeko McCoy about Twitter, now X, and what its retreat from the Cannes beachfront says about its relationship with advertisers, as well as TikTok’s head in the sand mentality around the ban.