AdTechGod Pod

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

In this week’s episode of The Refresh, Kait dives into the wave of major announcements that dominated Cannes Lions 2025 highlighting a shift inadvertising where TV and streaming platforms stole attention from AI. From exclusive inventory deals to AI-powered product placement, the episode unpacks how players like Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and Comcast are racing to transform TV into a full-funnel, performance-driven channel. As advertisers demand better data, measurement, and real-time capabilities, DSPs and media giants are forming strategic alliances to claim their spot at the top. We cover: Amazon and Roku Partner Up: Amazon secured exclusive access to Roku’s logged-in user base via its DSP, and integrated Disney’s Drax exchange to enable commerce-data targeting across Disney+ and Hulu inventory. Disney Expands DSP Access: Disney added 12 new DSPs to its “Disney Live Certified” program and is scaling its Magic Words AI targeting product to enhance live event advertising. Netflix Enters Virtual Ad Placement: Netflix is rolling out AI-driven dynamic ad products, including branded insertions during paused content—mirroring The Trade Desk and Rembrand’s new virtual product placement offerings. Walmart x NBCU and Comcast’s Triple Play: Walmart’s new partnership with NBCUniversal unlocks shopper data for cross-platform targeting, while Comcast announced three major updates spanning outcome-based measurement, dynamic shoppable ads, and identity resolution. Data Becomes the New Differentiator: With premium inventory access now considered baseline, platforms are competing on who can provide better data, targeting precision, and real-time performance insights—especially as programmatic buying expands in live content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Giuseppe La Rocca, VP Global Enterprise at StackAdapt, shares his journey from a blue-collar background to becoming a leader in ad tech. He discusses his experiences at Yahoo, the transition to StackAdapt, and the importance of understanding the differences between mid-market and enterprise clients. Giuseppe emphasizes the significance of customer outcomes and the evolving landscape of digital advertising, particularly in relation to live sports and the integration of AI. He concludes with a reflection on the positivity and innovation within the industry. Takeaways Giuseppe La Rocca's journey reflects the importance of hard work and adaptability. Building relationships and learning from mentors is crucial in career development. Understanding customer needs is key to successful enterprise partnerships. Mid-market clients often face high stakes in their advertising campaigns. The convergence of AdTech and MarTech is shaping the future of digital advertising. AI is becoming essential for improving programmatic trading efficiency. Live sports are transitioning to CTV, presenting new opportunities and challenges. Positivity and gratitude are vital for sustaining a career in ad tech. The ad tech industry is undergoing significant changes, but innovation remains strong. Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork are essential for addressing enterprise challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Giuseppe La Rocca and His Journey 05:52 Transitioning to Enterprise Partnerships at StackAdapt 12:13 Understanding Mid-Market vs. Enterprise Clients 18:11 The Future of StackAdapt and Industry Trends 24:07 The Importance of Positivity in Ad Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Refresh News, host Kait unpacks a headline-heavy week across the advertising industry, setting the stage for big Cannes conversations. From Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategic split to Mark Read’s departure from WPP, and a flurry of pre-Cannes product rollouts, this episode highlights how the future of media, agency relevance, and AI-powered innovation are all colliding in real time.  - Warner Bros. Discovery will divide into two focused businesses—Streaming & Studios vs. Global Networks—with cable taking on the debt burden as the company bets fully on streaming.  -WPP CEO Mark Read is stepping down amid pressure and stock declines, with the holding company finally embracing an ad tech and AI-first future years later than needed.  -WPP’s recent moves—acquiring InfoSum, consolidating under WPP Media, and investing in AI—mark a delayed but necessary transformation for agency survival.  -Multiple vendors including FreeWheel, Mediaocean, The Trade Desk, and Basis Technologies announced major product innovations focused on CTV, retail media, AI, and data integration ahead of Cannes.  -The episode emphasizes that agencies must evolve from service vendors to tech-powered solutions providers or risk becoming irrelevant in a self-serve media world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.