AdTechGod Pod

Hillary Slattery, Senior Director of Product Management at IAB Tech Lab, brings a wealth of experience from various ad tech roles. She dives into the explosive growth of programmatic advertising, especially in CTV, while highlighting the critical challenges of transparency and data sharing. Hillary discusses innovative strategies for live event advertising and the rising importance of content curation. Additionally, she elaborates on how AI is transforming the advertising landscape and her passion as a female leader in tech.

In this engaging discussion, Joe Hirsch, CEO of Swivel and former leader at SpringServe, shares his extensive ad tech journey. He highlights the shift from affiliate marketing to AI-driven ad optimization. Joe explains how Swivel aims to automate tedious tasks, enhancing operational efficiency. He emphasizes AI's role in ad operations, not as a replacement for humans, but as a tool to augment decision-making. He discusses the evolving landscape of AdOps and the growing necessity of precision to avoid costly mistakes—all while embracing new technologies.

Mike Petrella, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kinective Media by United Airlines, shares insights from his extensive career in advertising and media. He delves into the establishment of Kinective Media as a pioneering traveler media network, emphasizing the role of personalized experiences and strategic partnerships in enhancing traveler journeys. The conversation highlights how data and AI are transforming customer interactions, focusing on affluent travelers and the importance of privacy in handling their information.

In this engaging discussion, Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital, shares her insights on the evolving audio landscape. She highlights the varying growth of podcasting globally, emphasizing the low barrier for entry that allows diverse voices to thrive. The intimate nature of podcasting offers advertisers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with audiences. Sharon also discusses the challenges of audio metrics and the emerging role of programmatic advertising, alongside the soothing escape podcasting provides from social media noise.

In this episode of the AdTechGod pod, Elizabeth Donovan, SVP Global Head of Commerce and Retail Media Networks at Kinesso/Acxiom/IPG , shares her journey into the retail media space, discussing her experiences at Marriott Media Networks and AccuWeather. She emphasizes the importance of first-party data, the transformation in retail media, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a predominantly male industry. Elizabeth also highlights the significance of work-life balance and her aspirations for the next generation in the advertising industry. Takeaways Elizabeth Donovan has a rich background in retail media, having worked at Marriott Media Networks and AccuWeather. She emphasizes the importance of first-party data in enhancing customer experiences. Kineso positions itself as a leader in retail and commerce networks, focusing on data-driven strategies. The retail media landscape is rapidly evolving, with a focus on personalization and customer engagement. Elizabeth believes in meeting clients where they are in their retail media journey. She highlights the importance of collaboration and support within the industry, especially for women. Work-life balance is crucial, and Elizabeth dedicates time to self-care amidst her busy schedule. She encourages the next generation to pursue their passions, regardless of industry. Elizabeth's journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership roles in ad tech. The conversation underscores the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced advertising landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Retail Media Expertise 01:08 Elizabeth's Journey into Retail Media 04:44 Kineso's Positioning in the Market 07:07 Transformation in Retail Media 09:52 The Role of First-Party Data 14:02 Challenges and Triumphs as a Woman in Ad Tech 19:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life 22:14 Future Aspirations for the Next Generation On Today's The Refresh News: Walmart, Google, and the Shifting Ad Market The Refresh breaks down three of the week’s biggest stories in advertising: Walmart opening up its relationship with The Trade Desk, Google’s use of advanced AI to combat ad fraud, and a recap of Upfront ad commitments that reveal the growing dominance of streaming. The conversation touches on the challenges facing independent DSPs, how advertisers continue to chase performance-driven platforms, and why streaming continues to pull dollars away from broadcast and cable. 5 Key Highlights: Walmart and The Trade Desk’s partnership, once exclusive, is now open—raising questions about Walmart’s long-term retail media strategy. The Trade Desk faces pressure from big tech platforms like Amazon and Google, who offer first-party data and vertically integrated capabilities independent DSPs can’t match. Google has been quietly using multimodal large language models to reduce invalid traffic, achieving a reported 40% drop in mobile ad fraud. Variety reports that primetime TV ad commitments declined again in 2025, while streaming saw nearly an 18% increase in ad spend. Advertisers are chasing targeted audiences and programmatic opportunities in streaming, while networks push premium primetime content—including live sports—onto digital platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Ari Stein, Senior Director of Programmatic Sales at SiriusXM Media, shares insights into the evolution of audio streaming, the growth of podcasting, and the changing landscape of audio advertising. He discusses his journey in the audio industry, the importance of company culture, and the future of audio in relation to AI. Ari emphasizes the growing demand for audio content and the unique opportunities it presents for marketers. Takeaways Ari Stein has been with SiriusXM Media for over 13 years, evolving from an account executive to a senior director. The audio industry has seen tremendous growth, particularly in podcasting and streaming. Audio advertising is becoming more recognized for its impact on both upper and lower marketing funnels. The shift from traditional media buying to digital audio is happening, but at a slower pace than desired. Smart speakers have significantly contributed to the growth of audio consumption. Audio provides a unique opportunity for brands to connect with consumers in a personal way. Company culture plays a crucial role in employee satisfaction and retention. The demand for audio content continues to grow, presenting opportunities for marketers. Ari believes in the importance of education in the audio space to drive recognition and investment. Balancing work and personal life is essential, and Ari finds motivation in his family and team. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Audio Streaming 02:48 Ari's Journey in the Audio Industry 05:19 The Growth of Podcasting and Its Impact 08:07 Understanding Audio Advertising 10:47 The Shift in Media Buying Behavior 13:41 The Power of Audio in Marketing 15:41 The Importance of Company Culture 18:02 The Future of Audio and AI 20:25 Balancing Work and Personal Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode of The Refresh dives into Walmart’s evolving partnership with The Trade Desk, signaling potential changes in retail media alliances. We explore Google’s use of large language models to combat ad fraud, achieving significant reductions in invalid traffic. Finally, we break down Variety’s latest upfronts report, showing a continued decline in primetime TV ad commitments and notable growth in streaming investment. This week we cover: Walmart and The Trade Desk’s relationship is moving from exclusive to open, raising questions about Walmart’s retail data strategy and potential in-house platform development. The Trade Desk faces growing competition from vertically integrated giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, which benefit from owned inventory and rich first-party data. Google’s traffic quality team, in collaboration with Google Research and DeepMind, deployed large language models to detect and reduce mobile invalid traffic by 40%. Variety reports primetime TV ad commitments fell for the third consecutive year, with broadcast down 2.5% and cable down 4.3%. Streaming ad commitments surged nearly 18% year over year, driven by advanced targeting, programmatic buying opportunities, and high-value live sports content moving to digital platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rachael Savage, Senior Vice President of Ad Revenue Operations at Hearst Magazines, shares her extensive background in the publishing industry, discussing her journey from early experiences in computer camp to her current role overseeing revenue operations for various media brands. She highlights the transition from traditional news publishing to lifestyle content, the challenges and opportunities in revenue operations across print and digital, and the impact of AI on advertising and content creation. Rachael also reflects on the importance of collaboration, personal happiness, and maintaining a sense of humor in a fast-paced industry. Takeaways Rachael's career began unexpectedly at a computer camp in seventh grade. She transitioned from the New York Times to Hearst, focusing on lifestyle brands. The shift to mobile has changed how news is consumed and monetized. Revenue operations are evolving, with a focus on both print and digital. AI is becoming increasingly important in advertising and content creation. Collaboration across teams is essential for successful revenue operations. Rachael emphasizes the need for creativity in engaging audiences. The upcoming fashion month in September is a critical time for revenue generation. Maintaining personal happiness is crucial in a demanding industry. Building a supportive network helps navigate challenges in the ad tech space. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rachael Savage and Her Background 01:02 Career Journey: From Computer Camp to Ad Operations 04:40 Transitioning from News to Lifestyle Publishing 08:51 Revenue Operations: Print vs. Digital 11:08 Opportunities in the Second Half of the Year 18:28 The Role of AI in Advertising and Content Creation23:32Personal Insights: Balancing Work and Happiness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of The Refresh, Kait breaks down one of the biggest sports media deals in years: Disney’s ESPN has struck a landmark agreement with the NFL to take full control of the NFL Network, expand access to RedZone, and launch its long-awaited direct-to-consumer app. The episode also unpacks Instagram’s latest copycat features, Meta’s shifting engagement strategy, and a series of high-impact headlines from across the advertising and tech space, including lawsuits, mergers, and AI transparency battles. Disney’s Massive NFL Deal: ESPN will gain operational control of the NFL Network and distribution rights to RedZone, while the NFL secures a 10% stake in ESPN, valued between $2.5 and $3 billion. ESPN's Streaming Leap: The new ESPN standalone app launches August 21 for $29.99/month, offering 47,000+ live events annually, betting features, and personalized content — a key move amid declining cable economics. Instagram’s TikTok Dupes: Instagram launched a repost tool, Snapmap-style location sharing, and a visibility control feature for Reels, all met with mixed reactions and privacy concerns. Meta's Monetization Playbook: Zuckerberg emphasizes “engagement” as Meta’s primary revenue driver, while critics say the company’s product strategy feels increasingly erratic and creator-hostile. Industry Roundup: Omnicom-IPG merger clears another hurdle; OpenX sues Google post-DOJ loss; Cloudflare accuses Perplexity AI of stealth scraping; ChatGPT adds mental health features for user well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walt Dublin, Vice President of Enterprise Publisher Development at Raptive, shares his dynamic journey through the ad tech landscape. He discusses the evolution of publisher partnerships and the pressing challenges posed by AI on content monetization. Walt emphasizes the importance of protecting publishers while championing diversity in tech, highlighting how varied perspectives enhance problem-solving. Passionate about education and mentorship, he underscores the need to prepare the next generation for success in this rapidly changing industry.