AdTechGod Pod

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.

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.