What do toasters have in common with transparency and online advertising standards? Quite a lot, actually, says Ben Hovaness, chief media officer at OMD Worldwide. If you can trust a set of standards – and companies conform to them – the less transparency you need. It’s like when you plug in a new toaster. “You’re not worried that it's going to burst into flames and destroy your home,” Hovaness says.

Performance marketing can become a crutch for some brands, warns Duolingo CMO Manu Orssaud, especially app-based businesses that are under pressure to show rapid growth. That’s why Duolingo makes organic marketing a top priority.

Tune into the first episode of the year with guest Andrew Frank, VP and distinguished analyst at research firm Gartner. We cover a lot of ground, from the impact of multiple major Big Tech antitrust trials to practical AI use cases (minus the BS).

Scott McKinley, CEO and founder of Truthset, and former Olympic cyclist, discusses his journey from sports to data validation. He addresses the critical issue of low data quality in digital advertising, emphasizing its impact on campaigns. McKinley highlights the evolving ad tech landscape, calling for innovation in data integrity and audience insights. He also explores the challenges traditional media faces and the importance of transparency and privacy in data practices, urging a shift towards quality and efficiency in marketing strategies.

Feels like we’ve been waiting for the convergence of ad tech and mar tech forever. But it’s finally starting to happen, and the time couldn’t be more ripe, says Heather Macaulay, president of product-focused consultancy MadTech.

What is incrementality testing? “I’ve been doing more interviews with journalists lately and realize I need a better answer to this question,” says Haus Head of Strategy Olivia Kory.

Jared Belsky, CEO and co-founder of indie digital agency Acadia, needs your help. He’d like someone to please explain to him why media arbitrage isn’t a form of stealing.

JP Jansen, SVP of Marketing and CMO at Mars Pet Nutrition, shares insights on the delicate balance of personalization in marketing. He emphasizes that over-targeting can hinder growth by limiting customer reach. The conversation dives into innovative marketing strategies within the pet care industry, addressing how brands should adapt to evolving consumer data. Jansen also discusses the impact of retail media networks and the importance of maintaining empathy in marketing, particularly during sensitive moments like a pet's passing.

Digital Content Next CEO Jason Kint shares insights from inside the courtroom during closing arguments in US v. Google, ad tech antitrust edition. Plus: Kint noodles on potential remedies in the search antitrust case against Google.

When social media platform Nextdoor launched advertising in 2017, CEO Nirav Tolia declared it would be a $1 billion business by 2020. That didn’t happen. Nextdoor generated $66 million overall in Q3 of this year, and Tolia chides himself for his hyperbole. But Nextdoor has an ambitious plan for advertising growth.