AdTechGod Pod

Austin Scott, CCO and founder of Bedrock Platform, brings a wealth of experience from giants like Microsoft and TubeMogul. In this chat, she dives deep into the evolution of connected TV and emphasizes the necessity of redefining the marketing funnel for today’s digital landscape. Austin discusses the challenges of data control in ad tech and highlights the importance of collaboration to meet buyer needs. She also contrasts U.S. and European business cultures, offering insights into adapting strategies across markets for sustainable programmatic advertising.

This week’s episode of The Refresh skips the usual industry drama to spotlight three major developments in advertising and media. Host Kait walks through The Trade Desk’s milestone entry into the S&P 500, NBCUniversal’s record-setting upfront performance, and Delta’s bold use of AI for personalized airfare pricing. From validating independent ad tech to the future of programmatic sports buys and the controversy surrounding dynamic pricing, the episode unpacks where innovation is winning, and where it’s raising eyebrows. The Trade Desk Joins the S&P 500: The Trade Desk became the first pure-play ad tech company in over 20 years to join the S&P 500, a sign of its financial strength, consistent profitability, and key role in the digital advertising ecosystem. Stock Surge Following Announcement: Following news of its inclusion, The Trade Desk’s stock jumped 14% on July 14. Historically, companies newly added to the index see a 13–14% gain over the next year. NBCUniversal’s Best Upfront Ever: NBCU reported a 15% YoY increase in total upfront commitments, with a 45% spike tied to sports. One-third of upfront spend went to Peacock, marking its largest digital upfront to date. Programmatic Drives New Advertiser Growth: NBCU attracted more small and midsize advertisers this year, many of whom used programmatic buying. Their programmatic revenue alone reached $1 billion in this cycle. Delta’s Controversial AI Pricing Rollout: Delta plans to use AI to set prices for 20% of domestic tickets by the end of 2025. While positioned as innovation, critics have raised concerns over potential bias and lack of transparency in AI-driven fare models. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lain, Director of Global Data Partnerships at PepsiCo, shares insights from his unique journey through law and data strategy in marketing. He emphasizes the shift from vanity metrics to meaningful outcomes in advertising. Lain discusses the transformative role of clean rooms in data collaboration and how AI can spark creativity, turning errors into innovation at events like Cannes. He also raises awareness about the growing threat of CTV ad fraud, reinforcing the vital need for integrity in digital advertising.

In this July 14th edition of The Refresh, host Kait recaps a whirlwind week in advertising marked by major leadership changes, surprising earnings news, and critical shifts in the social media and AI sectors. From Linda Yaccarino's headline-making exit at X to the rise of Threads and AI-powered browsers challenging Google, this episode covers the most important updates marketers need to know. With WPP's new CEO pick and YouTube's monetization policy pivot, it's clear the industry is evolving rapidly, both in people and platforms. Linda Yaccarino Exits X (0:38): After a tumultuous tenure trying to stabilize X’s advertiser relations post-Elon Musk acquisition, Yaccarino stepped down, raising fresh concerns over the platform’s future ad revenue and signaling a deeper pivot toward AI integration via XAI. WPP Names Cindy Rose as Next CEO (2:11): With a background at Microsoft, Virgin Media, and Disney, Rose’s appointment signals WPP’s strategic shift toward becoming a more AI- and tech-centric organization amid falling revenue forecasts and mounting competitive pressure. WPP Cuts 2025 Revenue Guidance (3:15): In an unscheduled earnings update, WPP downgraded its 2025 outlook to a 3–5% decline, citing macroeconomic headwinds and major client losses including Coca-Cola and Paramount. Threads Closes in on X (4:06): Threads hit 115 million daily mobile users in June, up 128% year-over-year, while X saw a 15% drop. The user shift, particularly in the U.S., signals growing momentum for Meta’s Twitter alternative. AI-Powered Browsers Challenge Google (6:13): Perplexity released its new Comet browser and OpenAI’s rumored offering aims to make browsing fully conversational. Both aim to reshape search and ads with real-time, assistant-driven experiences that could threaten Google’s dominance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Taylor Simons, founder of TCHT and former MediaMath executive, shares his intentional journey into ad tech. He reflects on the painful lessons learned from MediaMath's bankruptcy and the current trends reshaping the industry, such as the dynamics of SSPs versus DSPs. Taylor sheds light on the complexities of bid duplication and advocates for Supply Path Optimization. He emphasizes the limits of the open exchange and reveals how AI could revolutionize programmatic advertising, creating new opportunities in the process.

In this week’s episode of The Refresh (July 7, 2025), Kait breaks down the top stories reshaping advertising and media. Apple’s massive push into theatrical releases hits a milestone with F1, raising questions about the long game for Apple’s entertainment ambitions. Meanwhile, Google launches OfferWall, a monetization tool built for the post-cookie, AI-dominated internet. And on Wall Street, Barclays delivers a sobering forecast for holding companies despite their AI investments. It’s a week that highlights how media, monetization, and market pressure are colliding across the ecosystem. 5 Key Highlights:  Apple’s F1 film makes a strong debut, grossing $144 million globally in its opening weekend, but with production and marketing costs over $375 million, profitability is still uncertain. Apple’s aggressive marketing strategy for F1 leveraged its entire ecosystem—from WWDC tie-ins and haptic trailers to in-phone ticket discounts via Apple Wallet—sparking debate over consumer boundaries.  Google launches OfferWall, a new feature within Google Ad Manager allowing users to unlock premium content through ads, surveys, payments, or newsletter opt-ins, aiming to help publishers recover lost revenue in the AI-search era.  OfferWall signals a move toward an incentivized internet, where users explicitly trade data, time, or small payments for content, though infrastructure and behavioral shifts are still major hurdles. • Barclays downgrades major ad holding companies (IPG, Omnicom, WPP), citing slow growth and AI disruption to traditional business models—but notes their current AI product launches and scale could pay off long-term.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fariba Zamaniyan, Global Vice President of Data Monetization at TiVo, shares her inspiring journey from immigrant to AdTech leader. She discusses TiVo's transformation from a simple DVR to a data powerhouse, showcasing how they adapt to the streaming revolution. The conversation dives into the vital role of metadata in a cookie-less world and the industry's shift towards alternative currencies for audience measurement. Fariba expresses her passion for the creative aspects of advertising and the exciting trends shaping its future.

In this week’s episode of The Refresh, Kait unpacks a surprisingly calm post-Cannes news cycle, headlined by the FTC's conditional green light of the $13.5 billion Omnicom-IPG merger. She also breaks down the continuing slide in CTV CPMs despite a booming supply of inventory, and confronts the ongoing issue of harassment at the Cannes Lions festival, spotlighting industry efforts, shortcomings, and calls for real accountability. 5 Key Highlights: Omnicom-IPG Merger Approved (with Conditions): The FTC conditionally approved the \$13.5B merger via a consent decree that prohibits coordinated ad boycotts based on political or ideological views. The approval remains subject to a 30-day public comment period and ongoing international regulatory review. CTV CPMs Drop Sharply: CTV ad prices are down 10–30% year-over-year due to a surge in inventory, performance-driven buying, and broader programmatic access. Industry insiders expect a pricing divide between mass reach and outcome-driven premium inventory. CTV’s Full-Funnel Evolution: Despite price drops, CTV is moving beyond awareness into full-funnel performance territory, supported by clean room integrations, data partnerships, and sharper buying strategies. Cannes Harassment Issues Persist: Despite new safety measures like safe zones and panic buttons, reports of harassment at Cannes continue. Industry voices are pushing for broader, more systemic change and ongoing dialogue. Industry Speaks Out: Public figures like Brian O’Kelley, Mike Brooks, and Emily Roberts have helped spotlight Cannes' darker undercurrents. Emily Roberts launched a petition for reform, urging the industry to prioritize safety and accountability beyond LinkedIn posts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the AdTechGod pod, host AdTech God engages in a deep conversation with Matthew Black, exploring his unique journey in the advertising industry. Matt shares insights into his diverse background, the evolution of ad tech, and the impact of AI on advertising. He discusses his career aspirations, the importance of gut instinct in ad operations, and the need for a supportive work environment. The conversation highlights the significance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the ever-evolving landscape of advertising. Takeaways Matt Black's career began in 3D animation before transitioning to ad tech. He emphasizes that a resume cannot capture the full picture of a person's capabilities. Matt's curiosity about ad tech led him to explore various roles in the industry. He believes that AI will bring efficiencies but won't replace the need for human insight. Gut instinct plays a crucial role in ad operations, sometimes leading to successful outcomes. Matt's experience in the industry has shaped his desire to help others succeed. He is open to various career opportunities, including agency and publisher roles. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential for growth in the ad tech industry. Matt values a work environment where his opinions and insights are respected. The ultimate goal is to support families through meaningful work in the ad tech space. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Matt Black and His Journey 05:01 Exploring the Evolution of Ad Tech 10:00 The Role of AI in Advertising 15:00 Navigating Career Aspirations in Ad Tech 19:57 Closing Thoughts and Future Opportunities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, I’m joined by Tom Goodwin for a no-holds-barred conversation about the gap between marketing hype and real consumer experiences. We dive into the current state of advertising from the pitfalls of performance obsession to the urgent need for brand building and creative reinvestment. Tom shares his take on AI’s growing role, why consumer sentiment around ads matters more than we admit, and how over-reliance on metrics can misguide strategy. His message is clear: the future belongs to brands that balance loyalty with results. Takeaways Tom Goodwin's journey into advertising was accidental and driven by curiosity. There is a significant disconnect between marketing promises and consumer experiences. Brand building is becoming increasingly important in a world of abundance. Modern advertising has become overly focused on metrics and short-term results. AI in advertising may not deliver the emotional connection needed for brand loyalty. Consumer attitudes towards advertising have shifted to a disdainful view. The need for creative investment in advertising is critical for long-term success. Balancing brand and performance is essential for CMOs today. Metrics can distract from the true value of brand building. The time scale for brand loyalty is often much longer than immediate conversions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tom Goodwin and His Journey 03:01 The Disconnect in Modern Advertising 05:49 Brand Building vs. Performance Marketing 08:58 The Evolution of Marketing Strategies 12:05 The Role of AI in Advertising 14:55 Consumer Experience and Advertising Impact 17:49 The Need for Creative Investment 21:07 Balancing Brand and Performance 23:55 The Role of Metrics in Advertising 27:03 Consumer Attitudes Towards Advertising 30:10 The Future of Advertising Strategies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices