The Community Exchange Podcast by OpenWeb

In this engaging discussion, Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO at A Place for Mom, shares her journey from marketing at American Express to leading a major company in the caregiver space. She dives into building customer-centric innovation, the evolution of performance marketing, and how AI is reshaping the landscape. Tatyana emphasizes the importance of trust and transparency in brand identity and explores how data and community engagement can propel growth. Don't miss her insights on adapting marketing strategies in a rapidly changing environment!

Jim Daily, CEO of OpenWeb and former leader at Teads, shares his fascinating journey from aspiring golf pro to a global ad tech executive. He discusses scaling businesses and the critical role of hiring the right people. Daily dives into the shift towards decentralized platforms for community engagement and the rising challenge of AI disruption. He addresses the untapped potential of user comments and engagement data, highlighting the need for sustainable publisher practices in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Pam Wasserstein, President and Vice Chair at Vox Media, shares her fascinating journey from Harvard Law to media leadership. She delves into the complexities of navigating AI's impact on the publishing industry and discusses the formidable challenges posed by tech giants in a 'David vs. Goliath' battle. Wasserstein highlights the importance of journalism in combating misinformation and explores the digital transformation of New York Magazine during the pandemic. Personal anecdotes about hobbies add a light-hearted touch to the conversation.

On this episode of The Community Exchange Podcast, we welcome Jessica Giles, Managing Director, Media and Publishing, Code and Theory. In our discussion, MSG and Jess discuss:Jess’s unconventional path from film school to brand strategy leadership via The New Yorker, Vogue, and Condé NastThe early magazine media and leadership lessons from Condé Nast cultureEvolving brand strategy for publishers in the digital age and shifting away from platform dependencyThe role of first-party data, loyalty loops, and closed ecosystems in audience engagement and monetizationCommunity-building and utility-focused product design as under-leveraged assets for publishersThe disruptive impact of AI and LLMs on lifestyle content, content parity, and search behaviorWhat makes a differentiated content experience in a commoditized internetHer outlook on the next generation of creative leadership in media and publishingAnd more.Check out all of our other conversations from Season 3 for great conversations with industry experts.

Louise Story, CEO of Atlas Obscura and former award-winning investigative journalist, discusses her evolution through prominent media roles. She highlights how algorithms altered newsrooms and shares insights on the value of 'new news' in an AI-driven landscape. Challenges in publishing, user behavior shifts, and the necessity for innovation in journalism are central themes. Louise also emphasizes the power of community contributions in storytelling and the importance of authenticity to engage modern audiences.

Bridget Williams, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Hearst Newspapers, has over 20 years of experience in media, including stints at Business Insider and startups. In this discussion, she shares insights on the revival of local journalism and its relevance today. Bridget highlights the integration of AI in reporting, the importance of first-party data for local businesses, and how innovative tools can promote government transparency. She also emphasizes visionary leadership in navigating the evolving landscape of journalism amidst challenges and opportunities.

Lindsay Van Kirk, SVP and General Manager of Decipher at People Inc., shares her journey from AppNexus to innovating in ad tech. She discusses the importance of mentorship and personal growth in her career. The conversation dives into Decipher's cookieless targeting strategies and the critical role of AI in content creation. Lindsay emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human-generated content in a tech-driven landscape and advocates for a future where publishers thrive on first-party data, balancing technology with human creativity.

This is The Community Exchange Podcast, brought to you by OpenWeb: an interview podcast series featuring the leaders building the media ecosystem of the future.This season, our host is industry veteran Matthew Scott Goldstein (a.k.a. MSG). Each episode, he explores our guests’ journeys through the media world, the work they are currently doing, and how they’re shaping the media and publishing industry.Learn more about OpenWeb at ⁠http://www.openweb.com⁠

Jennifer Salant, VP of Global Partnerships & Business Development at Condé Nast, shares her journey through the media landscape. She discusses the evolution of digital media from blogs to influencer content and how Condé Nast has navigated YouTube and FAST channels. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities AI presents for publishing, innovative content strategies, and the importance of audience engagement. Salant also emphasizes the need for publishers to adapt and future-proof their strategies in a rapidly changing media environment.

In this discussion, Will Lee, CEO of Adweek and former finance executive, shares insights from his journey into media leadership. He discusses the digital transformation of journalism and how AI is reshaping advertising strategies. Will highlights the importance of first-party data for audience engagement and reflects on the evolving dynamics between agencies and marketers. He also recalls nostalgic moments from the 1980s advertising scene, emphasizing the lasting impact of iconic ads and the shift towards data-driven decision-making in modern media.