AdTechGod Pod

Jeremy Bloom and Scott Hess, Chief Marketing Officer of Starcom and Chief Marketing Officer of Publicis Media, discuss the significance of the Chicago Advertising Federation's Career Day, the importance of mentorship and networking in the advertising industry, and personal experiences that shaped their careers. They reflect on the joy of working in advertising and the opportunities available for young professionals entering the field. Takeaways Scott Hess is the Chief Work Officer of Publicis Media. The Chicago Advertising Federation's Career Day is crucial for networking. Mentorship can significantly impact career paths in advertising. Career Day demystifies the advertising industry for young people. Networking events provide access to industry leaders and opportunities. Scott's son found joy in advertising after initially pursuing engineering. The advertising industry offers diverse career paths and opportunities. Personal connections can lead to job opportunities and mentorship. The excitement of young professionals can reinvigorate seasoned veterans. Chicago's winter can be a downside, but the city has much to offer.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:43 The Importance of Career Day 05:37 Mentorship and Networking in Advertising 08:50 Personal Experiences and Career Paths 11:38 The Joy of Working in Advertising 14:37 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Louie Oon, Senior Vice President, Sales at DAX United States, shares her non-linear career path, why audio remains underfunded, and how premium ad-supported audio can unlock scale, measurement, and growth for brands and publishers. Takeaways Audio is underfunded largely due to education gaps and outdated measurement models. The missing middle in audio leaves key demos and local markets underserved. Host-read ads remain valuable because trust and opt-in listening drive attention. Expanding audio reach improves effectiveness beyond a few major streaming platforms. Better measurement will push audio spend closer to its share of daily consumer time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Louie Oon and her background in audio 02:20 Building a career by prioritizing learning over titles 07:50 The missing middle problem in audio advertising 11:30 Why audio budgets lag behind TV and social 14:50 Why host-read ads continue to perform 18:00 Programmatic audio and reducing friction for creators 21:30 What measurement changes mean for audio’s future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Thomas, Principal at Thomas Media Consulting and former Playwire leader, joins the AdTechGod Pod to unpack his 16-year journey across publisher ops, programmatic sales, and data partnerships, plus his take on where the open web, CTV pricing, digital out-of-home, and publisher data control are heading next. Takeaways Nathan Thomas transitioned from a long career at Playwire to consulting. The publishing industry has become increasingly complex and challenging. Digital out-of-home advertising presents unique opportunities for engagement. Monetization pressures are mounting for publishers due to rising content costs. The open web is facing significant challenges with traffic decline. Data management and privacy are critical for publishers moving forward. AI is rapidly changing the landscape of advertising and content creation. Gaming advertising is underutilized and has potential for growth. Curation in advertising can be beneficial if managed properly. Future trends in advertising will focus on innovation and data-driven strategies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Thomas and His Journey 04:05 Transitioning to Consulting: A New Chapter 06:24 The Evolution of the Publishing Industry 09:18 Challenges in Monetization and Supply Chain 12:54 The Rise of Digital Out of Home Advertising 16:56 The Future of Open Web and Data Management 20:31 Navigating the Data Landscape in Advertising 24:14 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions for 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Cohen, CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, leads industry innovations in advertising standards and technology. He explores how AI has evolved from buzzwords to actionable strategies, reshaping the advertising landscape. Cohen discusses the fading cookie narrative and the dual challenges of opportunity and risk faced by publishers. He highlights the importance of effective data frameworks and urges a shift from efficiency to effectiveness in advertising metrics. With CTV and commerce poised for growth, Cohen shares insights on guiding the industry through rapid transformation.

Join us on the AdTechGod Pod as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Julie Van Ullen, President and CRO at iSpot. Discover her journey through leadership roles at IAB, OpenX, Freewheel, Rakuten Advertising, and Rakuten Rewards. Julie shares her insights on maintaining authenticity, the importance of mentorship, and navigating the evolving landscape of digital advertising. Tune in to learn from her experiences and gain valuable advice for aspiring leaders. Takeaways Julie's career has been fueled by authenticity and mentorship. Trust is essential in leadership and team dynamics. Change is a constant in the tech industry, requiring adaptability. Measurement in advertising must evolve to keep pace with consumer behavior. The future of advertising is promising, with a focus on data-driven insights. Women in tech face unique challenges but can overcome them with support. Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional development. Authenticity in leadership fosters a positive work environment. The advertising industry is ripe for innovation and change. Building trust with teams leads to better outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Van Ullen 01:04 Julie’s Career Journey and Mentorship 04:01 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 08:38 Transitioning from Traditional to Connected Television 11:37 The Role of Measurement in Advertising 14:05 Positive Outlook for the Future of Advertising 15:33 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Ad Tech 19:55 The Power of Mentorship and Support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Al Kallel, founder and CEO of Nativeads.AI, shares insights from his extensive experience in the advertising technology space. The conversation explores the evolution of consumer experiences in advertising, the transformative role of AI, and the importance of personalization and data collaboration. Al discusses the challenges of maintaining quality in AI-generated content and navigating privacy changes in the advertising landscape. He also highlights future trends in advertising and the potential of agentic commerce. Takeaways Al Kallel has over 20 years of experience in advertising technology. The consumer experience in advertising has shifted significantly with the rise of mobile and streaming. AI presents opportunities for creating native advertising experiences without compromising brand integrity. Quality control is crucial when using AI for content generation. Personalization in advertising requires deep collaboration between brands and publishers. The advertising landscape is evolving with increasing privacy concerns and the decline of cookies. Future advertising strategies must embrace agentic experiences to engage consumers effectively. AI can help scale personalized advertising solutions for better engagement. The shift to agentic commerce will vary across different product categories. 2026 and 2027 will see rapid advancements in advertising technology and consumer behavior. Chapter 00:00 Introduction to Ad Tech and Al Kallel’s Background 02:32 Evolution of Consumer Experiences in Advertising 05:13 The Role of AI in Advertising 07:45 Quality Control in AI-Generated Content 10:10 Personalization and Data Collaboration in Advertising 12:53 Navigating Privacy Changes in Advertising 15:31 Future Trends in Advertising and Consumer Behavior 17:42 Agentic Commerce and Its Viability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AdTechGod and Anthony Katsur discuss the evolving landscape of the advertising industry, particularly focusing on the concept of Agentic AI. They explore the current hype surrounding Agentic AI, its potential impact on digital media buying and selling, and the challenges related to privacy and measurement. The discussion also touches on the future of ad operations, the implications of AI browsers, and the strategic planning necessary for navigating these changes. Katsur emphasizes the need for foundational work in the industry while acknowledging the innovative potential of Agentic AI. Takeaways The advertising industry is experiencing unprecedented changes, particularly with the rise of Agentic AI. Agentic AI has the potential to introduce efficiencies in digital media trading, but it's still in early stages. There's significant hype around Agentic AI, but tangible results are yet to be seen. Privacy challenges remain a critical concern as AI technologies evolve. The future of ad operations will likely see a slowdown in hiring due to the automation capabilities of AI. AI browsers may change how content is presented and consumed online. Strategic planning is essential for navigating the evolving landscape of advertising technology. The industry must focus on foundational issues like supply chain transparency and measurement challenges. Agentic AI may not replace existing protocols, but can enhance them. The future of AI in advertising will involve a mix of successes and failures as the technology matures. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Agentic Era 02:14 Understanding Agentic AI in Digital Media 05:57 The Hype Cycle of Agentic AI 08:51 Challenges in Privacy and Measurement 10:47 The Future of Ad Operations 12:02 The Concept of Agentic Interfaces 14:39 Impact on Hiring and Talent Dynamics 19:04 AI Browsers and Their Implications 22:04 Strategic Planning and Industry Trends 24:51 The Future of Agentic AI and Potential Failures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Goldman, CMO at Mediaocean, is a veteran of adtech focused on media ops. Tony Marlowe, CMO at LG Ads, excels in connected TV strategies. Jackelyn Keller, a marketing executive at Jackwell Partners, brings deep insights on ad measurement. They dive into AI's overhype, unpack the complexities of attribution, and emphasize the need for creativity in marketing. Expect quirky anecdotes about future meetings and a fresh outlook on the evolving landscape of advertising. Laughter ensues in their rapid-fire responses!

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.