AdTechGod Pod

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, guests Aaron Goldman (Mediaocean), Tony Marlow (LG Ads), and Jackelyn Keller (Jackwell Partners) reflect on the past year in advertising, the impact of AI, and the trends shaping the future. The conversation covers everything from weird meetings in 2025 to the overhyped nature of AI and retail media. The guests share insights on the importance of understanding data, the challenges of attribution, and the need for creativity in marketing. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of questions, revealing personal opinions and humorous takes on the industry. Takeaways AI has significantly influenced all industries, not just advertising. Naming and branding can lead to intense discussions in meetings. AI-powered solutions are often overhyped in the industry. Retail media networks may struggle to survive without scale. Attribution methods in advertising are complex and often debated. Predictions in the industry can be unnecessary and overdone. Creative optimization is essential for effective marketing campaigns. Understanding data is crucial for marketers to make informed decisions. The future of advertising may involve more interactive and engaging ad formats. The importance of chilling out about industry drama and focusing on collaboration. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and ugly sweaters 03:40 50 Cent and NewFront prep 06:20 AI hype vs reality 08:45 Curation and other buzzwords 12:10 AdCP and why it is hard 14:30 Creative optimization A/B to A-Z 17:45 Ads inside AI chat experiences 18:45 Regifting trends, retail media, and clean rooms 22:10 Agentic commerce debate 25:40 What the industry should chill about 29:30 Rapid-fire questions 36:00 Wrap-up and holiday sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Cassin, Senior Director of Programmatic Partnerships at Cadent, joins AdTechGod to discuss what strong programmatic partnerships look like today, how the industry has moved beyond a “set it and forget it” mindset, the importance of building clean supply paths, and how to stay human as the industry continues to evolve. Takeaways Partnerships now require active, outcome-driven deal design. “Set it and forget it” is gone, optimization and communication matter. Buyers expect cleaner supply paths and real transparency. Cadent’s ViewPlanner supports planning across linear, CTV, OLV, and YouTube. Brands and agencies lean on partners to navigate privacy, brand safety, and AI shifts. Career growth came from staying curious and learning by doing across roles. Hard moments reshaped Andrew’s leadership style toward empathy and authenticity. Chapters 00:05 Andrew’s background and getting into programmatic early 01:13 Career path from Forbes to Rubicon, JWP Connatix, Equativ, and Cadent 05:37 What’s stayed constant through industry change 07:16 How brands and agencies rely on partners amid privacy, brand safety, and AI shifts 08:08 Cadent’s ViewPlanner acquisition and why YouTube matters 09:24 Why partnerships moved past “set it and forget it” deals 10:46 Clean supply, transparency, and standards expectations 12:33 How cancer changed Andrew’s perspective on relationships and work 18:08 Advice for newcomers: resources, mentors, and using LinkedIn well 21:07 What Andrew is excited about heading into 2026 24:12 Closing and holiday sendoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging conversation, Brad Thompson, Director of Business Development at MediaGo Global, shares his journey from agency life to innovating for SMBs. He highlights how performance DSPs help these businesses transition from walled gardens to open web programmatic. Brad emphasizes the importance of simplifying programmatic advertising for growth and contrasts his social media strategies between LinkedIn and X. Looking ahead to 2026, he foresees AI reshaping ad operations, while strong human relationships remain crucial in navigating challenges.

Tal Shaked, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Rise, brings a wealth of ad tech experience and insights. He shares his unconventional journey from toolbar monetization to founding Rise, focusing on optimizing web auctions through Smart Auction Management. Tal discusses how AI-driven search is reshaping publisher traffic, driving the need for adaptability. He emphasizes the importance of traffic shaping and dynamic pricing for revenue gains and explores the future of agentic advertising, highlighting the blend of automation and human relationships.

Priti Ohri, Co-founder and CEO of Advertible, shares her journey from MTV Networks to launching a native ad platform. She discusses turning a layoff into an innovative venture, emphasizing how Advertible enhances user experience through streamlined native ad delivery. Priti also explores the importance of community support and representation, highlighting her initiative, They See Us, to empower South Asian founders. Her insights into the future of ad tech include the transformative potential of agentic AI, poised to reshape programmatic systems.

Michael Berkowitz, a veteran in ad tech with roots in journalism, dives into the industry's evolution. He shares insights on how European ad tech is leading innovation and discusses the challenges publishers face, including risk aversion and complex decision-making. Michael critiques the overhype surrounding AI, emphasizing the need for practical solutions. He introduces Ad Aid, a concept aimed at enhancing user experience while supporting charities. Tune in for a refreshing take on the future of ad tech and the importance of genuine innovation.

Chance Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer at Nexxen, brings nearly 20 years of ad tech experience to the discussion. He dives into how Nexxen fosters trust and transparency in advertising, bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. The conversation highlights the importance of interoperable tools for smarter decision-making and the evolving role of SSPs beyond mere resellers. Chance also tackles the challenges of in-housing ad tech and underscores the value of white-glove client service in delivering exceptional support.

Erez Levin, an ad tech advisor and former Google programmatic lead, shares insights drawn from his impressive 13-year journey at Google. He tackles the complexities of defining quality in marketing, emphasizing that it's a spectrum, not binary. Erez argues that marketers must challenge the status quo and demand effectiveness for their spending. He believes the long tail of publishers risks commoditization, while unique, high-quality media will become more valuable. Trust your instincts and advocate for smarter quality controls in advertising.

David Danziger, SVP of Partnerships at Dstillery, brings a wealth of ad tech experience from companies like LiveRamp and The Trade Desk. He dives into the transformative effects of AI and machine learning on audience targeting, emphasizing the ongoing importance of human relationships in client interactions. David highlights that while technology refines audience segmentation, human oversight is still crucial to avoid errors. He shares his passion for continuous learning in the dynamic advertising landscape and the necessity of blending technology with a personal touch.

Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish with over 11 years at the company, dives into her journey and the evolving marketing landscape. She emphasizes the human element in an AI-driven world and the need for personalized strategies that resonate, especially with younger generations. Dani highlights the differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, stressing how brands risk missing the latter. The conversation also explores authenticity amidst technological change and the importance of mentorship in career growth. Expect insights on balancing innovation with genuine consumer engagement.