AdTechGod Pod

Heather Carver, Chief Revenue Officer at Freestar, brings a wealth of experience from Amazon and Rubicon to the conversation. She discusses the fascinating evolution of publisher monetization and the important role of AI in reshaping the ad tech landscape. Emphasizing curation, Heather argues it enhances inventory quality and safety for publishers. She also expresses optimism about the future, highlighting how AI can foster new job opportunities and innovation while encouraging independence from dominant players like Google.

In this episode of The Refresh, Kait walks us through an overlooked but impactful week in advertising. From explosive revelations about brand ads on explicit platforms, to Meta’s push for fully automated AI-driven ad creation, and a new FTC investigation into media watchdogs, this week’s headlines raise deeper questions about trust, transparency, and control in digital advertising. We cover: or brands like Verizon and Amazon running ads on a teen-rated app rife with explicit and offensive content. Ads were served via Meta, Amazon, and Epsilon, with Google removing the app only after the story broke. The incident highlights systemic failures in classification and oversight across major platforms—platforms that benefit from scale but lack incentive to fully enforce brand safety. Meta announced plans to fully automate ad creative and targeting by 2026 using AI. While potentially helpful for small businesses, the move raises concerns about creative quality, transparency, and the potential erosion of brand control. The FTC launched an investigation into advertiser boycotts, probing whether organizations like Media Matters and Adfontes are influencing anti-competitive behaviors through media quality frameworks. The broader theme this week is that the tools and platforms meant to empower advertisers may be evolving faster than the industry can ensure they're being used ethically—or effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bari Bucci, Senior Director of Programmatic Partnerships at Warner Brothers Discovery, shares her insights from years in the ad tech industry. She highlights her career journey from the buy side to the sell side, stressing the importance of relationships and continuous learning. Bari emphasizes the rapid growth of streaming and CTV, calling for innovative strategies in inventory discoverability. With curiosity as a guiding principle, she encourages professionals to adapt and collaborate for success in the ever-evolving ad landscape.

In this episode, AdTechGod interviews James Rosewell, co-founder of Movement for an Open Web, discussing the evolution of the open web, the implications of the Privacy Sandbox, the importance of web browsers, and the future of regulation in the digital advertising landscape. They explore the impact of political changes on antitrust initiatives and the need for market certainty, while also providing resources for listeners to stay informed about these developments. Takeaways James Rosewell founded Movement for an Open Web to address concerns about the Privacy Sandbox. The open web must offer advertisers a good return on investment and protect content rights. Privacy Sandbox can now compete on its merits without coercion from Google. Web browsers play a crucial role in the digital advertising ecosystem. Regulation is needed to ensure fair competition in the browser market. Political changes are influencing antitrust motivations in the US. Market certainty is essential during the appeal process for Google. The European Commission is taking steps towards divestiture of Google. Funding models for web browsers need to be reevaluated. Resources are available for those wanting to learn more about the open web movement. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Open Web Movement 01:29 The Birth of Movement for an Open Web 04:09 Antitrust and Privacy Sandbox Insights 06:02 The Role of Web Browsers in Advertising 10:00 Regulation and the Future of Browsers 12:10 Political Changes and Their Impact 14:00 Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges 16:33 Resources for Further Learning AI Anxiety, Media Shakeups & the Social Disconnect In this episode of The Refresh, Kait breaks down a pivotal week in Adland marked by existential questions around AI, massive corporate restructuring, and the steady evolution of streaming. From WPP's dramatic rebrand and layoffs to the Meta antitrust trial's conclusion and fresh Nielsen numbers, the episode weaves together the mounting pressure of rapid technological change and its human cost. Key Discussion Points: WPP rebrands Group M as “WPP Media” under an AI-first strategy, but the move triggers confusion and layoffs impacting up to 45% of staff. The broader advertising industry is facing an AI reckoning, as companies move faster than ever with minimal oversight or infrastructure for displaced workers. Meta’s antitrust trial wraps, with the FTC accusing the company of a “buy or bury” strategy—highlighting internal emails and challenging definitions of competition. Despite social media’s waning ability to foster community, creator marketing continues to boom—but may need reevaluation for long-term brand building. Nielsen’s April report shows streaming now holds 44% of total TV usage, with ad-supported content making up 72% of viewership; Grey’s Anatomy tops the charts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Lim, founder of Human Algorithm, is dedicated to empowering marginalized voices through purpose-driven media. He shares his journey from journalism to content creation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in personal branding. Shawn discusses the delicate balance of sharing personal experiences while avoiding oversharing and trauma dumping. He also highlights the evolving creator economy, particularly the rising significance of podcasts as a storytelling platform, fueled by his motivation to support future generations.

Live from MAU Las Vegas and sponsored by InMobi, this episode features a dynamic conversation about mobile performance marketing. Hosted by Kunal Nagpal, the discussion includes insights from Zach Gryphon (WaveMaker) and Maulana Moore (AppsFlyer). Together, they explore measurement frameworks, attribution challenges, AI in marketing, fraud detection, and the strategic importance of mobile apps as a growth channel and not just a companion tool. They stress the need for collaboration across brands, agencies, and MMPs, especially as privacy regulations, consumer behavior, and tech platforms continue to shift. The theme? It takes a village to win in modern performance marketing. Key Timestamps: 00:00–01:39 – Introductions: Roles at WaveMaker and AppsFlyer, and why performance marketing matters more than ever 02:33 – “Spy skills” icebreaker (time travel via Motown and home DIY skills) 04:55 – The modern measurement landscape: slow, medium, and fast decision frameworks 06:42 – Why internal data silos and misaligned incentives remain a challenge 09:00 – The role of education in promoting smarter attribution models like incrementality 10:22 – Privacy vs. personalization: Navigating a chaotic regulatory environment 13:00 – Cookies, SKAdNetwork, and why Apple’s and Google’s shifting strategies matter 17:20 – Regional differences in mobile maturity (APAC vs. North America) 20:10 – Why mobile apps are now key growth engines, not just support tools 21:30 – Full-funnel performance thinking and aligning KPIs with LTV 23:13 – The misunderstood role of MMPs in identifying fraud and optimizing outcomes 25:30 – Real-world uses of AI: From predictive analytics to creative optimization 29:13 – A philosophical take: Moving beyond spreadsheets and embracing AI architecture 32:49 – What marketers should expect from their agency, MMP, and DSP partners 36:30 – Why a true “village” mindset beats a collection of siloed experts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ria Madrid, Vice President of Advertising at WURL and former XUMO executive, shares her inspiring journey into advertising technology. She discusses the rising importance of performance marketing in connected TV (CTV) and how AI is shaping the industry. Ria emphasizes the necessity of strong teamwork and innovation, while also highlighting challenges female leaders face in ad tech. She advocates for authenticity and relationship-building as keys to success in this evolving landscape.

In this episode of The Refresh News, Kait from Marketecture breaks down the top stories shaking up the advertising world. The focus is on the evolving nature of the TV upfronts, with a spotlight on how platforms are embracing ad tech to meet buyer demands. The Trade Desk makes headlines with the launch of OpenSincera, and Microsoft officially closes Xandr to make way for a more conversational future in media buying. We Cover TV upfronts are shifting focus from showbiz glitz to tech-driven capabilities like programmatic and AI-powered campaigns. Flexibility is a new must-have: Netflix and Disney introduced ad tech that lowers entry barriers and enables agile buying. AI made a splash with creative automation, emotional scene alignment, and smarter ad insertion across major platforms. The Trade Desk’s OpenSincera launches as a free API, offering real-time, transparent data on ad impressions and media quality. Microsoft sunsets Xandr to focus on a Copilot-powered, chatbot-style ad buying interface, signaling a move away from traditional DSP models. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this discussion, Bill Condon, former VP of Enterprise Sales at Xumo, shares his wealth of experience in the advertising and media industry. He delves into the explosive growth of FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) and its impact on content accessibility. Bill highlights how streaming is reshaping consumer habits and becoming a major player for advertisers, especially with live sports. He emphasizes the evolving economic models in digital advertising and the wealth of opportunities for innovation as the industry continues to mature.

Christian Muche, CEO of Beyond Ordinary, shares insights from the Possible event in Miami, which aims to redefine traditional conferences by enhancing networking and fostering creativity among senior decision-makers. He discusses the role of AI in shaping conversations without dominating them, and highlights a curated speaker lineup that brings fresh perspectives. The chat also touches on emerging trends in advertising, like shoppable video and innovative content strategies, ensuring a vibrant future for media and engagement.