
Open Market
Open Market is a podcast about building companies in the advertising space. This is not another news podcast. Rather, hosts Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa will dive deep into the stories of successful companies and growth strategies to help listeners understand how to replicate that success. For example, how did Eric build Undertone to a $180M exit? How would you reverse-engineer a $10M adtech exit? Why do you need a chief audience officer? Entrepreneurs, execs, and GTM professionals in advertising should walk away from each week’s episode with new ideas on how to build their companies.
Latest episodes

29 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 43min
Debate! Outcomes Era vs Quality Era with Erez Levin
Dive into a lively debate between the Outcomes Era and the Quality Era in digital advertising. Erez Levin offers insights on what truly defines an outcome, challenging traditional models. The conversation highlights the shift from branding to measurable outcomes, emphasizing the hurdles advertisers face in a changing landscape. Expect a clash of ideas on the importance of media quality versus profit-driven metrics. The hosts spice things up with colorful metaphors, likening the debate to a boxing match, making complex topics engaging and accessible.

46 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 48min
The AI-Inflected Future of Ads with OpenAds Co-Founder Michael Bishop
Michael Bishop, co-founder and CTO of OpenAds, an innovative AI-driven ad tech startup, shares insights on the future of advertising. He discusses how AI can personalize ads in real time, challenging traditional models like Google’s. The conversation highlights the massive opportunity within AI-driven search ads and the critical need for brands to rethink ad metrics. Bishop also explores the entrepreneurial mindset needed to tackle significant opportunities, urging tech founders to embrace bold visions that can create societal change.

20 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 48min
The Future of AI and Customer Experiences with Crosshatch CEO Soren Larson
Soren Larson discusses the future of AI and its impact on customer experiences. The conversation highlights the limitations of first-party data for personalization and the significance of user consent. They explore the evolving role of AI in advertising and the challenges faced by startups in a tech-driven landscape. Humor emerges as they compare Miami and Los Angeles, adding a light touch to their insightful dialogue on data privacy and the transformative potential of AI in enhancing consumer interactions.

27 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 44min
How Adtech GTM Is Changing with Peer39 CEO Mario Diez
Peer39 CEO Mario Diez joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to discuss why publishers banding together failed 11 years ago and still hasn't worked, the advantages of a GTM CEO and the gaps they need to fill, how adtech GTM has changed over the last 15 years, and the future of advertising data companies in an AI-driven world.

Jan 15, 2025 • 23min
Live from CES: What's Next for Viant AI with Viant CEO Tim Vanderhook
Tim Vanderhook, CEO and co-founder of Viant, discusses the transformative power of AI in advertising from CES. He shares insights on ViantAI's innovative features, improving ad management efficiency through automation. Vanderhook highlights the shift toward AI-powered programmatic advertising, enhancing creative and relevant ad campaigns. He also examines the ramifications of Google's dominance in the market and calls for regulatory changes to improve measurement strategies. The conversation wraps up with the evolution of marketing in the social media age, emphasizing authentic engagement.

28 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 39min
Building a Community with AdTech God
AdTech God, a mysterious figure in the ad tech arena known for creative content and community engagement, joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa. They discuss how most ad tech companies are stuck in outdated marketing strategies while emphasizing the importance of emotional engagement. The guest highlights effective ways to build community, navigate content creation challenges faced by executives, and adapt to the evolving media landscape. Tune in for insights on fostering genuine connections in the digital advertising world!

45 snips
Jan 1, 2025 • 47min
Lessons from 2024 and Predictions for 2025
The hosts dive into the powerful role of content in shaping reputations and relationships. They review the major players in adtech from 2024 and highlight those to watch in 2025. The evolving balance of quality and performance in digital advertising is discussed, alongside innovations from companies like Audigent. AI and Connected TV are predicted to revolutionize advertising strategies. Plus, a humorous note: Eric's notorious dislike for dogs adds a quirky touch to the conversation!

Dec 18, 2024 • 43min
Inventing Performance TV with Jason Fairchild
tvScientific CEO and co-founder Jason Fairchild joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to talk about the lessons he brought from OpenX to tvScientific, inventing the performance TV category, and which big players, including The Trade Desk and AppLovin, might get into performance TV (or not).

9 snips
Dec 11, 2024 • 35min
Rising from the Ashes of MediaMath with AdLib CEO Mike Hauptman
Mike Hauptman, CEO and co-founder of AdLib, dives into the dramatic reinvention of his company after the collapse of MediaMath in 2023. He shares the emotional rollercoaster of the shutdown and how AdLib turned adversity into opportunity. Hauptman highlights the launch of Adlet, a revolutionary ad platform for mid-sized marketers, and emphasizes the importance of strong client communication during crises. The conversation also touches on modern visibility strategies for business leaders in ad tech, focusing on personal engagement and effective content marketing.

36 snips
Dec 4, 2024 • 39min
Charting New Territory for DMPs with Permutive CEO Joe Root
Joe Root, CEO and co-founder of Permutive, dives into the evolution of Data Management Platforms and their significance for publishers and advertisers. He discusses the nuances between DMPs and Customer Data Platforms, as well as the importance of redefining marketing strategies in a shifting landscape. The conversation also highlights the move towards audience activation platforms, especially in light of cookie deprecation, and emphasizes balancing privacy with operational efficiency in ad tech.
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