Open Market

Exploring the power of authentic marketing, hosts discuss Brian O'Kelley's game-changing LinkedIn strategy. They highlight that frequent, unpolished posts build audience trust better than overzealous perfectionism. Tips for CEOs include establishing brand narratives and using AI to craft engaging content. They argue that marketing should be valued for its strategic role, enhancing founder relationships and sales simplicity. With an emphasis on thoughtful engagement, they suggest avoiding self-serving content while focusing on meaningful interactions to grow visibility.

Anne Coghlan, COO of Scope3 and a leading voice in agentic advertising, joins the discussion to unravel the Ad Context Protocol (AdCP) and its significance for the ad landscape. She highlights how agentic advertising can enhance outcomes on the open internet, contrasting it with traditional programmatic methods. Anne also touches on the evolution of Scope3, the role of AI in their operations, and offers insights on encouraging industry adoption of this innovative approach. Plus, she gets a chance to address the critics of her work!

The discussion covers the acquisition of IAS and its strategic future. They delve into how the company can pivot toward performance-focused advertising using AI. There's a lively debate on the SMB market potential and what it takes to succeed in that space. The surge in AI optimism sparks a conversation on the return of VCs to ad tech, with insights on the impact of generative content tools. They also explore how platforms like OpenAI might dominate the SMB advertising landscape. The energy is palpable, hinting at a transformational shift in the industry.

Shiv Gupta, CEO and co-founder of U of Digital, shares insights on the seismic shift AI brings to adtech. He discusses how sales and marketing are merging in today's landscape, emphasizing the need for consultative selling and industry expertise. Gupta also reveals the importance of modern sales enablement—the critical blend of sales abilities, product knowledge, and industry understanding. Plus, hear about the surprising concept of 'jeans parties' from Gen X lore! It's an enlightening conversation on navigating the evolving world of advertising.

Joe shares a hiring blunder involving an inept project manager, detailing the fallout. Eric introduces a hiring framework aimed at improving interviews and avoiding future mistakes. The duo emphasizes the importance of Q4 planning, suggesting that relationships should be nurtured year-round for successful outcomes. They delve into productivity techniques using deadlines and also consider AI's potential influence on workflows during busy periods. Lastly, Joe and Eric lighten the mood with a fitness challenge involving pull-ups and push-ups.

Discover the ten misconceptions many adtech CEOs have about marketing. Explore the importance of hiring strategic marketers who can drive revenue and position companies effectively. Learn why a dashboard-only mindset can overlook crucial impactful tactics. Joe highlights the need to measure attention and pipeline rather than just metrics and cautions against the misconception that events alone drive success. He emphasizes building an audience from day one and maintaining consistent communication for lasting trust and visibility.

Adam Soroca, CPO of Magnite, and Jonathan Moffie, CEO of Streamr, dive into the exciting world of ad tech after Magnite's acquisition of Streamr. They discuss how this merger is set to revolutionize connected television and the strategies behind fostering growth in SMBs. Moffie shares insights on building an AI-first startup and the key lessons for future founders. The episode also highlights the use of creative automation and the importance of tailored advertising approaches in optimizing marketing in an ever-evolving landscape.

Mike Shields, former Wall Street Journal and AdWeek reporter, shares his insights on the death of traditional PR. He argues that modern communication demands a shift away from outdated marketing strategies. The discussion highlights the changing dynamics of media consumption, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building between journalists and businesses. Mike also critiques how ad tech companies can better engage with media in a digital landscape, underscoring the growing significance of social media in personal branding and effective outreach.

Auren Hoffman, a serial entrepreneur and former CEO of LiveRamp, shares intriguing insights on building effective companies. He reflects on why he shouldn’t have sold LiveRamp and his vision for its future. Auren discusses the evolving adtech landscape and the potential of AI in personalized advertising. He emphasizes the importance of spotting great talent and challenges conventional wisdom about emotional intelligence in business. Tune in for his contrarian views and thoughts on possibly starting another adtech venture!

Universal Ads' James Borow joins Eric and Joe to discuss the key components of the performance TV category, Universal Ads' unique approach, how big an impact performance TV will have on the open web as a whole, and what he's learned from selling multiple companies. Hijinks about corporations ensue.