AdTechGod Pod

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

Matt Black, an ad operations expert with a background in 3D animation and visual effects, shares his insights into the dynamic world of ad tech. He discusses the significant role of gut instinct in advertising, balancing intuition with data for better outcomes. Matt believes AI will optimize processes, yet human insight remains irreplaceable. His passion for collaboration shines through as he emphasizes creating supportive environments that value diverse perspectives, ultimately aimed at helping families through meaningful work in the industry.

Tom Goodwin, a seasoned marketer and public speaker, dives deep into the advertising landscape, revealing the chasm between marketing hype and consumer reality. He argues for the necessity of brand building in an age obsessed with metrics and immediate results. The discussion highlights the emotional disconnection caused by AI in advertising and the critical need for creative investment. Goodwin emphasizes balancing loyalty and performance, advocating for a shift toward authentic storytelling that resonates with consumers and fosters genuine connections.

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

Giuseppe La Rocca, VP Global Enterprise at StackAdapt, brings over a decade of experience from Yahoo and Verizon Media. He discusses his ascent in ad tech, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse client needs, particularly between mid-market and enterprise sectors. Giuseppe highlights how AI is transforming programmatic trading and the advertising landscape, especially with the rise of live sports on streaming platforms. He passionately advocates for innovation and maintaining a positive mindset amidst industry challenges.

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.

In this episode, AdTechGod interviews James Rosewell, co-founder of Movement for an Open Web, discussing the evolution of the open web, the implications of the Privacy Sandbox, the importance of web browsers, and the future of regulation in the digital advertising landscape. They explore the impact of political changes on antitrust initiatives and the need for market certainty, while also providing resources for listeners to stay informed about these developments. Takeaways James Rosewell founded Movement for an Open Web to address concerns about the Privacy Sandbox. The open web must offer advertisers a good return on investment and protect content rights. Privacy Sandbox can now compete on its merits without coercion from Google. Web browsers play a crucial role in the digital advertising ecosystem. Regulation is needed to ensure fair competition in the browser market. Political changes are influencing antitrust motivations in the US. Market certainty is essential during the appeal process for Google. The European Commission is taking steps towards divestiture of Google. Funding models for web browsers need to be reevaluated. Resources are available for those wanting to learn more about the open web movement. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Open Web Movement 01:29 The Birth of Movement for an Open Web 04:09 Antitrust and Privacy Sandbox Insights 06:02 The Role of Web Browsers in Advertising 10:00 Regulation and the Future of Browsers 12:10 Political Changes and Their Impact 14:00 Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges 16:33 Resources for Further Learning AI Anxiety, Media Shakeups & the Social Disconnect In this episode of The Refresh, Kait breaks down a pivotal week in Adland marked by existential questions around AI, massive corporate restructuring, and the steady evolution of streaming. From WPP's dramatic rebrand and layoffs to the Meta antitrust trial's conclusion and fresh Nielsen numbers, the episode weaves together the mounting pressure of rapid technological change and its human cost. Key Discussion Points: WPP rebrands Group M as “WPP Media” under an AI-first strategy, but the move triggers confusion and layoffs impacting up to 45% of staff. The broader advertising industry is facing an AI reckoning, as companies move faster than ever with minimal oversight or infrastructure for displaced workers. Meta’s antitrust trial wraps, with the FTC accusing the company of a “buy or bury” strategy—highlighting internal emails and challenging definitions of competition. Despite social media’s waning ability to foster community, creator marketing continues to boom—but may need reevaluation for long-term brand building. Nielsen’s April report shows streaming now holds 44% of total TV usage, with ad-supported content making up 72% of viewership; Grey’s Anatomy tops the charts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices