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The Garage: Tools For Retail Media Innovation

Latest episodes

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Jun 18, 2025 • 32min

Leveraging Mobile Apps - Retail Media’s Next Frontier with Brian Quinn

Retailers are increasingly using mobile apps as the primary platform for their loyalty and reward programs and this is revolutionizing the retail media, creating opportunities for a user-centric customer engagement and a concise attribution measurement. Join hosts Dan Massimino and Evan Hovorka as they sit with Brian Quinn, President and General Manager of North America at AppsFlyer.What You’ll Learn:How to unlock the power of apps for loyalty programsWhy mobile apps offer rich customer data and engagement opportunitiesWhy independent measurement platforms are essential for retail media networksHow connecting online and offline attribution can boost campaign measurementWhy standardization across retail media is crucialThe foresight into future of retail media, CTV, and mobile convergence for advertisersTune in for a more robust conversation.From sharing stories about small-town origins to exploring how to turn offline data into actionable insights, this episode of The Garage offers a clear look at how hyperlocal advertising can create new opportunities for brands, agencies, and retailers. It’s a conversation about using data smarter, scaling with precision and ensuring that every advertising dollar works harder in local communities, this episode of The Garage is not one you want to miss. LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jun 11, 2025 • 31min

Beyond The Console: The Art of Enriching The Gaming Experience with Greg Carroll

Gaming is a larger platform compared to films, TV, and music, forming a powerful media channel and opening vast opportunities for retail media and advertising. Join hosts Dan Masamino and Evan Hovorka as they sit down with Greg Carroll, General Manager of Gaming Experiences at Microsoft Advertising to explore the nexus of gaming and retail media.What You’ll Learn:Why gaming represents a larger market than music and film combined.How to incorporate advertising into gaming without disrupting the user experienceHow to create unique opportunities for retail media partnerships through cross-platformsHow important is it to enrich the gaming experience for successful advertisingThe role of gaming in building social connections and community, especially during COVID-19The value of partnerships and experimentation in developing effective gaming advertising strategiesFrom sharing stories about small-town origins to exploring how to turn offline data into actionable insights, this episode of The Garage offers a clear look at how hyperlocal advertising can create new opportunities for brands, agencies, and retailers. It’s a conversation about using data smarter, scaling with precision and ensuring that every advertising dollar works harder in local communities, this episode of The Garage is not one you want to miss. LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jun 4, 2025 • 30min

Breaking the Code: How NBCU's SpotOn Unlocks Retail Media's Next Frontier with Shawn Makhijani

The convergence of retail media and premium CTV content is reshaping how brands connect with consumers through data-driven, targeted advertising across trusted media platforms. And, we’re talking about it all in the latest episode of The Garage. Join hosts Dan Masamino and Evan Hovorka as they sit down with Shawn Makhijani, SVP of Business Development and Strategy at NBCUniversal, to explore the fascinating and powerful intersection of retail media networks and premium television content, particularly through the lens of their strategic partnership.What You’ll Learn: How premium content and engaged audiences drive advertising effectiveness, cutting across traditional and streaming platformsWhy partnerships between retail media networks and content providers require deep collaboration beyond simple programmatic connectionsThe importance of balancing ad load and frequency caps to respect viewer engagement while delivering resultsHow retail media brings closed-loop attribution and ROAS measurement to the CTV ecosystemWhy democratizing access to CTV advertising through self-service platforms is transforming the media landscapeHow localization and relevance in content delivery create stronger connections between brands and consumersThe parallel between trusted consumer brands and evergreen content in building lasting audience relationshipsWhy flexible transaction models (from full-service to self-service) are crucial for meeting diverse advertiser needsTune in to find out how democratizing access to premium content through self-service platforms is reshaping the advertising landscape.From sharing stories about small-town origins to exploring how to turn offline data into actionable insights, this episode of The Garage offers a clear look at how hyperlocal advertising can create new opportunities for brands, agencies, and retailers. It’s a conversation about using data smarter, scaling with precision and ensuring that every advertising dollar works harder in local communities, this episode of The Garage is not one you want to miss. LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 28, 2025 • 33min

Unlocking the Power of Local: Strategies for Growth in Retail Media with James Moore

On this episode of The Garage, we dive deep into the world of hyperlocal programmatic advertising. As the advertising landscape continues to evolve, brands and agencies are increasingly realizing the power of localized campaigns that reach customers right where they live. Listen in as James Moore, Chief Operating Officer at Simplify, joins hosts Dan Massimino and Evan Hovorka at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach during Possible to discuss how Simplify has grown from its early days in search data to a leader in programmatic media buying focused on local audiences.Together, they explore how Simplify uses unstructured data to help advertisers and agencies build highly targeted campaigns tailored to individual ZIP codes and how these local strategies unlock greater value in every market. They discuss how foot traffic attribution and first-party data create a clearer view of how campaigns perform in the real world and why working with local data is crucial for driving better outcomes.The conversation also dives into the challenges of managing thousands of campaigns at once, the importance of automation and near real-time optimization, and how Simplify’s approach has evolved to help agencies and brands navigate the complexities of local advertising at scale.From sharing stories about small-town origins to exploring how to turn offline data into actionable insights, this episode of The Garage offers a clear look at how hyperlocal advertising can create new opportunities for brands, agencies, and retailers. It’s a conversation about using data smarter, scaling with precision and ensuring that every advertising dollar works harder in local communities. This episode of The Garage is not one you want to miss. LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 29, 2025 • 44min

In-store Retail Media is Changing the Game

On this episode of The Garage, we dive deep into the intriguing and ever-important facet of In-Store Retail Media. In an increasingly virtual world, brands may overlook the importance of enhancing and creating powerful in-store experiences to connect with customers.Yet, it remains a critical avenue for brands to make a meaningful impact. Listen in as Todd Hassenfelt, Global Digital Commerce Senior Director at Colgate-Palmolive, along with returning guests Dan Hight, VP of Media Partnerships at Placer AI, and Paul Brenner, SVP of Global Retail Media at Vibenomics, and hosts Dan Massimino and Evan Hvorka, dissect the role of in-store retail media in the industry’s evolving landscape.Together, they explore the latest innovations redefining how brands connect with consumers in physical environments and how this in-store experience allows retailers to understand consumer needs more clearly. They further discuss the changing nature of the in-store experience as more than just product-pushing; it’s now about problem-solving. Unpacking the importance of compelling content in enhancing the in-store experience, the conversation also highlights the need for quality messaging that resonates with shoppers and drives engagement. While the conversation looks at the potential of in-store retail media, it also examines the challenges of measurement and data sharing in retail media, stressing the importance of conversion rate data and actionable insights for brands to optimize their strategies.From industry best practices like collaboration and potential standardization to the need to reimagine the brand-to-consumer connection through in-store experiences, this episode of The Garage is not one you want to miss. LinkedInWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 15, 2025 • 37min

Retail Media in 2025: Google’s Big Bets, New Tech and More with Shawn McGahee

Shawn McGahee, Head of Retail Media Ads at Google, joins fellow expert Dan Massimino and Evan Hvorka to explore the future of retail media. They discuss Google's ambitious strategies for 2025, focusing on AI's role in enhancing consumer engagement. McGahee uncovers the evolving landscape of self-service solutions and the transformative potential of YouTube as a shopping platform. They also dive into the explosive popularity of unboxing and review videos, detailing their power in shaping consumer choices and driving loyalty.
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Dec 11, 2024 • 42min

Greatest Hits: Don’t Touch That Dial: RMN + TV with Sean Muller of iSpot

In this episode of "Exploring CTV and Retail Media Networks," hosts Dan Massimino and Evan Hovorka are joined by Sean Muller, the founder and CEO of iSpot. Join them as they discuss the rapid shift from linear TV to CTV and the rise of ad-supported models in CTV. They also explore the importance of standardization in the industry, integrating with partners, and all things AI. Sean has founded and served as a key executive in half a dozen ventures throughout his career, including Demand Media, MediaNet Digital, eNom and The Wedding Tracker, and brings a real wealth of experience to the show. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sean Muller LinkedIniSpot WebsiteEpisode Highlights:[16:54] Sean discusses the emerging trends in the video and streaming space, noting the rapid shift from linear TV to CTV and the rise of ad-supported models in CTV (as opposed to a subscription-based model). He also talks about the nontraditional TV networks in CTV, such as YouTube (50% of which is viewed on a TV screen) and Amazon (which has a TV network and owns Thursday Night Football)o. Sean then highlights the industry trend towards retail media networks. [23:29] Sean emphasizes the need for standardization in measuring video advertising across platforms, from “traditional linear TV”, to on-demand streaming services, to social media sites such as TikTok. He notes that historically TV ads were measured by overall viewership, rather than the actual reach (ie impressions). Sean’s company, iSpot, has focused on creating a standardized metric for video impressions, meaning that each ad, regardless of platform, is measured equally. While the industry is moving towards this approach, Sean suggests that not every publisher or advertiser has agreed on a standard.[32:35] Sean discusses how iSpot handles integrating data from "walled gardens" (platforms with restricted data access) by using a sophisticated approach based on household and individual identity mapping. He explains that Ispot integrates with partners by starting with their ID spine, mapping out households and individuals across the United States. This approach allows for seamless integration with partners and simplifies the process for advertisers and vendors; it also allows advertisers to understand how their ads perform across different platforms, ensuring accurate deduplication and comparison.[34:48] Sean distinguishes between traditional AI (advanced machine learning) and generative AI, which involves generating different versions of ads or ad components, saying that there is a significant amount of “machine-learning AI that could be done to optimize the media”. He also mentions their investment in AI infrastructure and how they use their rich history of TV ads to generate ideas and speed up the creative process by creating storyboards or scripts. Sean emphasizes that AI won’t necessarily be used to create an entire ad, but could speed up some of the more time-consuming or expensive aspects involved in their creation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 4, 2024 • 50min

Greatest Hits: Creating Space for Innovation

In the inaugural episode, Ben Sylvan, vp of data partnerships at The Trade Desk joins The Garage to discuss how diversity is a key ingredient for inspiration and innovation and the need for complementary skill sets to drive creativity and problem-solving.Introductions 00:00:01 – 00:05:04What is The Garage? 00:05:04 – 00:07:40“Ah ha" moments that lead to bright spot creation? 00:07:50 – 00:17:10Creating space for innovative culture and mindsets 00:17:10 - 00:29:46Jumpstarting change within your organization 00:29:46 – 00:39:13If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? 00:39:13 – 00:42:54What are the next industry buzzwords? 00:42:54 – 00:48:47Closing 00:48:47 – 00:50:21Want to know more about retail media? Learn why ROAS alone is the wrong metric for gauging retail media performance.Follow Albertsons Media Collective on LinkedIn to stay in the loop: www.linkedin.com/company/albertsons-media-collectiveThe views, information and opinions expressed on The Garage podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Albertsons or its employees. The content of this podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute or contain any legal or financial advice, nor does it constitute information provided under any sort of fiduciary relationship. Albertsons is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any of the information, statements or opinions provided during this podcast and it makes no guarantee regarding the outcomes or results you will achieve by using information you received by listening to the podcast. Any product or company names, brands, logos or other trademarks featured or referred to in the podcast are the property of their respective trademark holders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 27, 2024 • 39min

Greatest Hits: Meeting Customers (and Brand Advertisers) Where They Are

In our second special episode from POSSIBLE, our hosts sit down with Albertsons Media Collective VP Harvey Ma and Sherry Smith, Executive Managing Director for the Americas at Criteo where she leads the brand’s commercial and operations teams across enterprise and growth accounts in the region. During the conversation, they discussed how sponsored search and product ads fit into an omni-channel marketing approach, how the retail media boom has changed the sponsored landscape, and what are the next big needs that RMN’s can anticipate coming from brands and how can they support. 00:00:01 - Introductions00:06:24 - Sponsored Search and Product Ads in Omnichannel Marketing Approach00:11:43 - The Role of Sponsored Search in the Funnel00:30:43 - Supporting Brand Safety and Client NeedsFollow Albertsons Media Collective on LinkedIn to stay in the loop: www.linkedin.com/company/albertsons-media-collective  The views, information and opinions expressed on The Garage podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Albertsons or its employees. The content of this podcast is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute or contain any legal or financial advice, nor does it constitute information provided under any sort of fiduciary relationship. Albertsons is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of any of the information, statements or opinions provided during this podcast and it makes no guarantee regarding the outcomes or results you will achieve by using information you received by listening to the podcast. Any product or company names, brands, logos or other trademarks featured or referred to in the podcast are the property of their respective trademark holders.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 21, 2024 • 36min

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Retail Media Networks with Mike McNeeley

In this episode of The Garage, hosts Dan and Evan are joined by Mike McNeeley, Senior Vice President of Product at Index Exchange. Join them as they discuss the importance of supply-side platforms (SSPs) in enhancing revenue transparency for publishers, as well as identity management, closed-loop attribution, and the need for standardization to streamline industry processes. Dan, Evan, and Mike emphasize the importance of flexibility and collaboration for agencies and brands, and look ahead to the future of retail media.If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Mike McNeeley LinkedInIndex Exchange websiteEpisode Highlights:[07:14] Supply-side platforms (SSPs) provide unique advantages to retail media networks (RMNs) when it comes to programmatic advertising (the automated buying and selling of online ad space). Mike highlights how SSPs empower retailers to establish robust and interconnected digital advertising ecosystems from the access provided by a network of publishers and programmatic demand-side platforms (DSPs). This allows retailers to control where and how ads appear, set specific business rules, and maximize ad revenue. Put simply, SSPs help RMNs remain competitive and agile. [09:22] Reflecting on early partnerships, Mike recalls how Index Exchange’s collaboration with Roundel (Target’s in-house media company), was a retail media milestone. This partnership integrated Roundel’s publisher relationships and audience data into a programmatic framework, in one of the first major efforts to harness retail media at scale. Index Exchange and Roundel’s partnership set a precedent in retail media, which demonstrated how SSPs and data-driven partnerships can reshape advertising by concentrating on both consumer behavior and seamless ad delivery. [25:48] Mike believes that standardization is vital for driving industry progress, especially with regards to programmatic advertising. Standardized protocols—such as GDPR compliance frameworks or IAB’s VAST (video ad serving template)—prevent redundancy and promote more seamless partnerships; this benefits the whole ad ecosystem, from publishers to agencies. Mike encourages other ad professionals to get involved with standard-setting efforts. He says that, while they might not be immediately impactful, they will eventually improve customer experiences across platforms.  [33:14] As retail partners began to expand into diverse formats—such as apps, new publishers, and CTV—they realized their technology was restricting innovation. In response, Mike’s team rebuilt their product to be more flexible. Although originally their product only supported web-based advertising within specific frameworks, it was eventually adapted to different formats and partners. This removed integration bottlenecks and minimized the time needed to set up new campaigns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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