The FPC Podcast

Paul Kang, Head of Alternative Investments at Amplifi Global (Dentsu), dives into the dynamic world of ad tech and corporate venture investing. With a background in law and a keen eye for strategic investments, he discusses the significant recent M&A activity, including the Omnicom and IPG merger. Paul emphasizes how technological advancements, especially AI, are reshaping corporate venture investment. He highlights the importance of integrating innovative technologies to enhance client experiences and adapt to the evolving landscape of advertising.

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Buckman, VP of Marketing and Investor Relations at Azerion, shares his extensive experience in ad tech and M&A. He discusses Experian's strategic acquisition of Audigent and its implications for the ad space. Andrew dives into the recent Omnicom and IPG merger, analyzing its impact on agency-client dynamics. He also highlights Azerion's Goldbach acquisition, emphasizing the importance of partnerships for growth in the competitive DACH market.

Alvaro del Castillo, CEO and founder of TapTap, shares his journey of scaling the company and navigating the evolving ad tech landscape. He discusses the surge of interest from private equity firms and the growth in M&A activity since 2021. Alvaro explores challenges and opportunities faced by European companies, along with strategies for expanding into Latin America. He also reflects on fundraising experiences during Spain's economic downturn and emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in today's competitive market.

The latest trends in ad tech reveal significant M&A activity, with Bending Spoons acquiring Brightcove and MediaOcean taking over Innovid. These moves spotlight the evolving landscape and the potential rise of Bending Spoons as a major player. Additionally, Zeotap’s $25M Series D funding raises questions about profitability in this competitive market. The podcast also discusses how cloud computing is reshaping advertising dynamics, and highlights innovative approaches to curation that emphasize efficiency and the use of first-party data.

In this engaging discussion, Mike Follett, CEO & Co-founder of Lumen, dives into the innovative world of attention technology and eye-tracking data to transform advertising. He emphasizes how simplicity is crucial in ad tech and how attention metrics can directly link to brand uplift and profit. The conversation also covers the rise of Super Signal Aggregators and the future of AI in enhancing creative capabilities. Mike shares insights on navigating challenges in valuations while fostering sustainable partnerships in the evolving B2B marketing landscape.

Alex Powell, CEO and co-founder of Pixels, discusses the cutting-edge intersection of ad tech and video content. He highlights the increasing wave of mergers and acquisitions in the sector and the rise of super signal aggregators. The podcast dives into the booming market for vertical video, emphasizing its impact on digital advertising and potential revenue, as well as the importance of innovative marketing strategies. Powell shares insights on how Pixels aims to revolutionize vertical video for premium publishers, paving the way for new opportunities in the digital landscape.