Open Market

Adam Epstein, CEO of Gigi — an ad-tech founder who built Perpetua and now leads a verticalized AI media manager for Amazon DSP. He explains why focusing on Amazon matters. Short takes cover selling agents versus SaaS, framing agents as job-focused tools, pricing and piloting AI, change management for longer pilots, and how account teams and prompting skills enable adoption.

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa dive into the implications of tvScientific's acquisition by Pinterest. They explore the powerful narrative of performance TV and its wide industry appeal. The duo also discusses the significance of CEO evangelism in marketing strategies, highlighting effective thought leadership and distribution methods. They analyze investor insights, emphasizing the potential of non-consensus markets. Lastly, the conversation touches on Pinterest's broader ambitions in the ad space and the strategic fit of tvScientific's leadership.

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa discuss four ideas for how adtech CEOs can crush it in 2026: overcommunicate direction until you’re sick of yourself; tell a story about the industry, not just your company; design the company for AI; and center outcomes in your storytelling. Plus, Joe talks about getting punched in the face, physically and metaphorically.

The conversation explores the often misunderstood role of luck in entrepreneurship, emphasizing that persistence can create your own luck. A case study on Alex Karp highlights the power of charismatic leadership in attracting attention. They discuss how Karp's provocative approach drives customer interest, serving as a blueprint for marketing. Additionally, the hosts outline the three essential conditions for creating a new market category, blending innovation with strategic marketing efforts. Practical advice encourages companies to differentiate or co-create to find success.

Scott Young, Co-founder and CPO of Transmit, dives into the evolving world of streaming and advertising. He explores how live sports stand out in CTV and elaborates on the recent YouTube TV-Disney controversy. The conversation highlights the role of AI in enhancing viewer experiences by detecting high-attention moments. Scott also discusses strategies for publishers to monetize effectively and the importance of adaptive creative in advertising. His insights into the future of streaming and the blending of traditional and digital platforms are both engaging and thought-provoking.

Steven Liss, CEO and co-founder of OpenAds, shares insights on leveraging AI to revolutionize open-web advertising. He discusses the importance of openness in ad tech and how AI can enhance performance through context rather than identity. Liss humorously likens AI's potential in unlocking publisher value to fracking and outlines different sales strategies for SMBs versus large brands. He emphasizes the need for quality in formats and warns of risks for pure-play ad tools as larger platforms emerge. Liss optimistically believes AI can significantly boost ad efficacy and help publishers regain revenue.

In this insightful discussion, Eric Franchi, a seasoned venture investor with a knack for fundraising strategies, shares essential advice for founders. He highlights the importance of warm intros and building a solid reputation to enhance fundraising efforts. Eric emphasizes crafting a concise pitch deck and knowing the right questions to ask VCs. He also warns against strategies like creating false urgency or showcasing premature exit plans that can backfire. Most importantly, he encourages resilience in the face of rejection, framing each 'no' as a learning opportunity.

Jay Friedman, an ad tech and agency executive with deep expertise in AI, discusses essential strategies for CMOs navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of advertising technology. He emphasizes the importance of understanding AI as a 'city' requiring governance and warns against AI vendors who simply repackage existing technologies. Jay advocates for educating brands on building their tech stacks, focusing on brand integrity rather than chasing flashy innovations, and highlights notable AI startups that can drive real value.

Explore the power of Customer Advisory Boards and why they are essential for business growth. Learn how they enhance customer retention by actively engaging your top clients. Discover common pitfalls to avoid and strategic tips for effective meetings. Hear about the importance of diverse perspectives and how CABs can inform your marketing roadmap. The discussion covers practical steps for starting a CAB and highlights the unexpected business benefits, including networking and revenue impact.

Bryan joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to discuss the content-to-commerce phenomenon Shopsense is pioneering, the startup's partnership with The Trade Desk, and leadership lessons from Amazon. Shopsense is an Aperiam portco and Sharp Pen client.