Episodios

  • Ep. 104 Leading with People and Purpose: Dani Mariano on AI, Culture, and the Future of Razorfish

    Ep. 104 Leading with People and Purpose: Dani Mariano on AI, Culture, and the Future of Razorfish
    Oct 28 2025
    In this episode of The AdTechGod pod, host AdTechGod sits down with Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish, to discuss leadership, company culture, and the evolution of marketing in the age of AI. Dani shares her career journey from joining Razorfish 11 years ago to now leading the agency, and reflects on how people, mentorship, and learning have shaped her leadership style. The conversation explores the impact of AI on consumers and brands, generational differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how agencies can maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world. Takeaways The focus is on engaging Gen Z effectively. Generative AI is revolutionizing personalization in marketing. Clients are increasingly demanding personalized communication. There is a need to explore the limits of personalization. Email marketing is a key area for personalized strategies. Understanding client needs is crucial for effective marketing. The conversation highlights the role of technology in marketing. Personalization can lead to better engagement with audiences. Marketers must balance personalization with practicality. The future of marketing lies in adapting to generational shifts. Chapters 00:08 Introduction to Dani Mariano and Razorfish 01:15 Career Growth and Journey at Razorfish 02:41 Building Relationships and Finding Mentorship 03:30 First 100 Days as CEO and the Importance of Listening 05:25 The Human Element in an AI Driven World 06:07 How Clients Are Adopting AI and Facing New Challenges 07:11 Consumer Behavior and the Rise of AI Tools 08:20 Generational Adoption and the Role of Gen Z and Gen Alpha 10:08 Gen Alpha as Third Generation Digital Natives 12:09 Influencers, DIY Culture, and Blending Digital with Physical 15:44 Maintaining Authenticity and Transparency in the AI Era 18:55 Future Outlook and Innovation at Razorfish 21:52 Women in Leadership and Career Advice 24:34 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 m
  • Ep. 103 Legacy Brands, Digital Futures: Brittany Scott on Brand Safety & AI in Advertising

    Ep. 103 Legacy Brands, Digital Futures: Brittany Scott on Brand Safety & AI in Advertising
    Oct 21 2025
    In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod speaks with Brittany Scott, VP of Brand Partnerships at Zefr. Brittany shares her unique journey from working at major brands like Kellogg and SC Johnson to transitioning into the ad tech space at Meta and now Zefr. The conversation delves into the importance of brand safety and suitability in advertising, the impact of legacy brands on current strategies, and the challenges of navigating brand reputation in a digital landscape. Brittany also discusses the cultural shifts she experienced moving from brand to ad tech, and her excitement about the future of AI in advertising. Takeaways Brittany's journey into advertising was unplanned but rewarding. Working at legacy brands shaped Brittany's understanding of brand safety. Brand safety is crucial for maintaining brand reputation. Crisis management is a key aspect of brand partnerships. Cultural differences exist between brand and ad tech environments. AI presents both challenges and opportunities for advertising. Brands need to adapt their strategies to the evolving digital landscape. Building strong partnerships is essential for success in ad tech. Understanding regulatory components is vital for brand safety. Innovation and speed are critical in the ad tech industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brittany Scott and Zefr 01:23 Brittany's Journey in Advertising 05:48 Understanding Brand Safety and Zefr Role 08:29 The Importance of Brand Legacy 11:25 Navigating Brand Reputation in Crisis 14:58 Cultural Shifts from Brand to Ad Tech 22:29 The Future of AI in Advertising AdTech’s New Frontier: OpenAds, AdCP, and the Streaming Power Duo This week’s episode of The Refresh dives into three major developments reshaping the advertising landscape. The Trade Desk takes center stage with its new OpenAds and PubDesk tools, aiming to clean up the programmatic supply chain while stirring industry debate. Meanwhile, the debut of Ad Context Protocol (AdCP) marks a potential turning point for agentic AI in digital media, proposing a standardized framework for AI-driven ad transactions. Finally, Netflix and Spotify join forces to expand video podcast distribution, signaling a shift in how audiences consume and advertisers monetize cross-platform content. 5 Key Highlights: The Trade Desk’s OpenAds and PubDesk Launch: Introduced at the Prebid Summit, these tools aim to bring transparency and auditability to programmatic auctions. OpenAds introduces auction verification features, while PubDesk provides publishers with detailed auction and market insights. Industry Controversy Around OpenAds: Critics argue that The Trade Desk’s approach to transaction IDs and auction control gives it too much influence over publishers, echoing antitrust concerns seen in other major adtech cases. Introduction of Ad Context Protocol (AdCP): Spearheaded by Brian O’Kelley and built on Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, AdCP standardizes communication between AI agents in advertising, with backing from PubMatic, Yahoo, and Scope3. Promise and Challenges of Agentic AI: Supporters see AdCP as the next OpenRTB, enabling seamless AI-to-AI media transactions, while skeptics question its ability to overcome adoption barriers and address critical issues like fraud prevention and payments. Netflix and Spotify’s Video Podcast Partnership: Starting next year, Spotify’s video podcasts will stream on Netflix, enhancing reach for creators and advertisers while positioning Netflix as a new competitor in the video podcast space alongside YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 m
  • Ep. 102 The Evolution of Advertising: Amy Lanzi on Strategy, Creators & Change

    Ep. 102 The Evolution of Advertising: Amy Lanzi on Strategy, Creators & Change
    Oct 14 2025
    In this engaging conversation, Amy Lanzi, CEO of Digitas North America, shares her unique journey from a finance major to a leader in the advertising industry. She discusses the evolution of client needs, the balance between creativity and data, and the impact of AI and synthetic audiences on marketing strategies. Amy also emphasizes the importance of female leadership and the role of creators in brand strategy, providing insights into the future of advertising. Takeaways Amy Lanzi transitioned from a finance background to the advertising industry. Her experience in yield management at American Airlines shaped her understanding of customer experience. The advertising landscape has shifted towards a focus on media investment rather than just creative campaigns. Balancing creativity and data is crucial for modern marketing strategies. AI and synthetic audiences are transforming how agencies approach consumer engagement. Female leaders should embrace their unique qualities and support other women in the industry. Brands need to establish strong connections with consumers through first-party data. Creators serve as personalized concierges for brands, influencing consumer behavior. The future of advertising will require brands to be the answer for consumers' needs. Understanding the creator economy is essential for brands to thrive. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amy Lanzi and Her Journey 05:42 Transitioning from Analyst to Agency Leader 12:18 Balancing Data and Creativity in Marketing 19:45 The Future of Marketing: AI and Consumer Connection 25:06 The Power of Creators in Brand Strategy Adtech Power Moves: Paramount+’s Retro Ad Play, AmEx’s Commerce Media Launch, and Google’s Antitrust Reckoning This week’s episode of The Refresh dives into the evolving strategies shaping the advertising and media ecosystem. Paramount+ brings back a touch of traditional TV nostalgia with a new static ad placement format, while American Express joins the growing commerce media race with a premium, closed-loop offering. Duolingo takes more control over its ad operations by launching its own ads platform, signaling a shift toward in-house monetization strategies. Meanwhile, Google’s adtech antitrust remedies trial wraps up, leaving the industry waiting to see if structural change could finally hit Big Tech’s ad dominance. Paramount+ Launches “Streaming Fixed Units”: The streamer introduces a new ad format that locks an advertiser’s placement into the same slot for a week after an episode airs, recreating traditional TV consistency and offering advertisers more predictability. American Express Debuts “AmEx Ads”: Leveraging first-party data from 34 million cardholders, AmEx enters the commerce media arena with an exclusive network housed on its own properties like AmexTravel.com, focusing on premium and affluent audiences. Commerce Media Competition Heats Up: With networks from Mastercard, Chase, and now AmEx, commerce media spending is projected to reach $170 billion in 2024, pushing companies to differentiate through niche audiences and unique value propositions. Duolingo Builds Its Own Ads Platform: The language-learning app strengthens its advertising business by creating a direct-sales platform that complements programmatic channels, achieving 3% higher CTRs and strong engagement with rewarded video formats. Google’s Antitrust Trial Concludes: The DOJ’s push for structural remedies, including potentially spinning off AdX, faces pushback from Google’s behavioral proposals, setting the stage for potential landmark changes in adtech competition and regulation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 m
  • Ep. 101 The Reach Effect: Inside the Business of Smarter TV

    Ep. 101 The Reach Effect: Inside the Business of Smarter TV
    Oct 7 2025
    In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod speaks with Dan Callahan and Alexander Groysman from Spectrum Reach about the evolving landscape of television advertising. They discuss their backgrounds, the collaboration between product and revenue teams, the impact of technology and AI on the industry, and the importance of networking. The conversation highlights the balance between traditional and streaming TV, the significance of quality content in advertising, and the role of data in targeting audiences effectively. Takeaways Spectrum Reach is innovating in the ad tech space. Collaboration between product and revenue teams is essential. AI and machine learning are transforming advertising solutions. Streaming complements traditional TV advertising. Quality content is more important than quantity in advertising. Networking is crucial for success in the industry. First-party data is a key differentiator for Spectrum Reach. Educating advertisers about streaming is necessary. The industry is evolving rapidly with new technologies. Building relationships can lead to successful partnerships. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Spectrum Reach and Guests 01:06 Backgrounds of Dan Callahan and Alexander Groysman 03:11 Collaboration Between Product and Revenue Teams 04:31 Evolution of Technology in the Industry 06:30 Impact of Streaming on Advertising 08:10 Targeting Audiences: Connected vs Traditional TV 10:08 Hype vs Reality in Ad Tech 13:23 AI and Innovations in Advertising Solutions 17:25 Leveraging Data for Effective Advertising 19:34 The Importance of Networking in the Industry Mastercard, Roku, Spotify, and Amazon Push Forward in Ads, and this week’s Refresh dives into a wave of product updates and partnerships shaping advertising and media. Mastercard is making a bold move into commerce media, Roku and AppsFlyer are enhancing CTV measurement, Spotify expands its ad exchange reach with new DSP integrations, and Amazon rolls out new devices designed for its upgraded Alexa+ experience. Each update underscores how scale, data access, and measurement are driving the next phase of advertising innovation. 5 Key Highlights: Mastercard Commerce Media Launch: Mastercard formally enters the ads business with onsite and offsite media offerings, leveraging transaction insights from 500M cardholders and 159B annual transactions to create scale-driven opportunities for advertisers. Roku & AppsFlyer Partnership: The integration expands into a two-way API connection for stronger cross-channel measurement, giving advertisers tools to validate CTV’s performance impact on mobile and social behaviors. Spotify’s Ad Tech Expansion: Spotify Ad Exchange now integrates with Amazon DSP and Yahoo DSP, boosting inventory accessibility and enabling richer data-driven targeting, while programmatic adoption is already up 142% year-to-date. Amazon Alexa+ Devices: Four new Echo devices debut with chips and sensors tailored for conversational AI, positioning Alexa+ as a more personalized assistant woven into daily routines, from smart home control to wellness nudges. Commerce Media Growth Trend: Mastercard’s move highlights how vertical-specific media networks (financial, travel, retail) are proliferating, with offsite inventory and data governance emerging as key factors for advertiser adoption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 m
  • Ep. 100 The Future of Ad Tech & Agencies: AI, Giving Back, Walled Gardens & People-First Innovation

    Ep. 100 The Future of Ad Tech & Agencies: AI, Giving Back, Walled Gardens & People-First Innovation
    Oct 2 2025
    In our milestone 100th episode of the AdTechGod Podcast, we’re diving into three big themes: the future of ad tech, the power of giving back, and where agencies are headed next. Segment 1 kicks off with industry legends Ari Paparo and Terence Kawaja. They break down how AI, automation, and consolidation are reshaping digital advertising—and what the booming creator economy means for authenticity and growth. Segment 2 takes a different turn, with Tom Deierlein, Heidi Browning, and Peter Naylor sharing the incredible story behind the TD Foundation. It’s a nonprofit supporting families of wounded warriors and fallen heroes, proving how small donations and industry support can drive real impact. Segment 3 looks ahead to the agency world. Lauren Wetzel (Infosum/WPP) and Sam Bloom (PMG) talk about everything from navigating walled gardens and evolving business models to building people-first cultures in an AI-driven era. To my listeners, sponsors, and friends: thank you. Hitting 100 episodes is a huge milestone for me, and I couldn’t have done it without your support. Segment 1 – The Future of Ad Tech 00:00 – Celebrating 100 Episodes of AdTechGod Podcast 01:48 – The Impact of AI on Ad Tech 05:22 – Consolidation in the Ad Tech Industry 08:59 – Challenges for Publishers in the AI Era 12:17 – The Future of Live Advertising 15:25 – Opportunities in the Creator Economy 18:59 – Navigating Authenticity in Content Creation Segment 2 – Giving Back: The TD Foundation 22:21 – Celebrating Milestones and Giving Back 23:53 – The Birth of the TD Foundation 28:22 – Personal Stories and Impact 31:49 – Real-Life Case Studies 36:01 – Challenges and Call to Action 39:05 – Corporate Involvement and Community Support Segment 3 – The Future of Agencies 42:21 – The Future of Agencies 45:40 – Navigating Walled Gardens & Data Challenges 49:55 – Evolving Business Models in Advertising 56:44 – Building a People-Centric Agency Culture 62:21 – Celebrating 100 Episodes & Looking Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 16 m
  • Ep. 99 The CIO Perspective: Kelly Metz from Spark Foundry on AI, CTV, and Simplicity in Media

    Ep. 99 The CIO Perspective: Kelly Metz from Spark Foundry on AI, CTV, and Simplicity in Media
    Sep 30 2025
    In this episode of the AdTechGod pod, host AdTechGod speaks with Kelly Metz, Chief Investment Officer at Spark Foundry. They discuss Kelly's career journey through the advertising and media landscape, the importance of relationships in the industry, and the diverse clientele at Spark Foundry. Kelly shares insights on the evolving role of a CIO, the impact of AI on client expectations, and the shift towards connected TV in media strategies. The conversation also touches on balancing personal and professional life in the fast-paced advertising world. Takeaways Kelly emphasizes the importance of building relationships in the advertising industry. She believes that media is inherently fun and constantly evolving. Kelly's role as a CIO involves navigating both client and media partner relationships. Understanding technology is essential for effective media investment. Clients often expect immediate efficiency from AI, which is a misconception. The shift to connected TV has changed how brands approach media strategies. Kelly advocates for a deeper understanding of audience insights for better outcomes. She highlights the need for simplicity in navigating complex media ecosystems. Balancing work and personal life is crucial for long-term happiness in the industry. Kelly enjoys activities like going to the beach and playing pickleball to unwind. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kelly Metz and Her Journey 03:01 The Importance of Relationships in Advertising 05:33 Understanding Spark Foundry's Diverse Clientele 08:19 The Role of a CIO in Media Investment 11:06 Navigating AI and Client Expectations 14:02 The Shift in Media Strategies with Connected TV 16:34 Balancing Personal and Professional Life in Advertising Google’s Antitrust Remedies, Gemini in Chrome, and IAS’s $1.9B Buyout This week’s episode of The Refresh unpacks major shifts in the adtech landscape. Kait covers the remedies phase of Google’s adtech antitrust trial, Google’s integration of Gemini into Chrome, and Integral Ad Science’s acquisition by private equity firm Novacap. The discussion highlights how legal battles, AI rollouts, and consolidation are reshaping digital advertising. Google entered the remedies phase of its adtech antitrust trial, with the DOJ pushing for structural remedies like divesting AdX and DFP, while Google argues for behavioral fixes such as more transparent auction rules. Judge Brinkema must weigh whether forced divestitures would dismantle Google’s monopoly or risk destabilizing the broader display ad ecosystem. Google integrated its AI assistant Gemini into Chrome, starting on desktop with features like page summaries, live chat, and cross-product task coordination across Maps, YouTube, and Calendar. The move follows the search antitrust trial outcome, where Google avoided severe penalties such as being forced to divest Chrome, maintaining its ecosystem dominance strategy. Integral Ad Science will be acquired by Novacap for $1.9 billion, taking the company private to accelerate AI-driven product innovation and strengthen its role in ad verification amid growing private equity investment in adtech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 m
  • Unlocking the Overlooked 40% with John Piccone from Adform

    Unlocking the Overlooked 40% with John Piccone from Adform
    Sep 29 2025
    In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod interviews John Piccone, the Regional President of Adform Americas. They discuss John's extensive background in the ad tech industry, the importance of addressing the overlooked 40% of audiences, and how Adform's independence and transparency set it apart in a competitive market. John shares insights on the evolving landscape of digital advertising, the significance of data-driven marketing, and the future trends that excite him as they approach the fourth quarter. Takeaways John Piccone has a rich background in ad tech, having worked with major companies. Adform offers a full tech stack, providing various tools for advertisers. Understanding the 40% of users who are often overlooked is crucial for brands. Transparency in the programmatic marketplace is essential for building trust. Brands can achieve more with less by optimizing their advertising strategies. The fragmentation of channels complicates audience targeting for marketers. Adform's independence allows for a focus on brand needs over inventory sales. GDPR compliance gives Adform an edge in understanding privacy regulations. Brands need to adapt to changing dynamics in the advertising landscape. Incremental reach can be achieved without increasing budget size. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Adform and John Piccone 02:55 John Piccone's Journey in Ad Tech 05:45 Addressing the Overlooked 40% Audience 08:23 The Role of Independence in Ad Tech 11:25 Looking Ahead: Innovations and Future Trends Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    13 m
  • Ep. 98 From Standards to Streaming: Hillary Slattery on Programmatic, Curation & AI

    Ep. 98 From Standards to Streaming: Hillary Slattery on Programmatic, Curation & AI
    Sep 23 2025
    In this episode of the Ad Tech Godpod, host AdTechGod speaks with Hillary Slattery, Senior Director of Product Management at IAB Tech Lab. They discuss Hillary's career journey, the differences between IAB and IAB Tech Lab, the rise of programmatic advertising in CTV, challenges in transparency and data sharing, innovations in live event advertising, the role of curation, and the impact of AI on the advertising industry. Hillary emphasizes the importance of transparency, the need for standards in advertising, and her motivation as a female leader in a technical role. Takeaways Hillary Slattery has a diverse background in ad tech. IAB and IAB Tech Lab serve different but complementary roles. Programmatic advertising in CTV is a growing trend. Transparency in data sharing is a significant challenge. Curation is becoming increasingly important in advertising. AI is reshaping the advertising landscape. Hillary values her role as a female technical lead. The conversations in ad tech are always evolving and interesting. There are legitimate reasons for the lack of transparency from sellers. Hillary is motivated by the impact of her work and the people she collaborates with. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hillary Slattery and Her Journey 02:36 Understanding IAB and IAB Tech Lab 05:21 Programmatic Advertising and CTV Trends 07:57 Challenges in Transparency and Data Sharing 10:58 Innovations in Live Event Advertising 13:41 The Role of Curation in Advertising 16:38 AI's Impact on the Advertising Industry 19:18 Motivation and Leadership in Ad Tech TikTok’s Fate, Rembrandt’s Big Bet, and CTV’s Transparency Leap This week’s episode of The Refresh covers three major developments shaping advertising and adtech: the long-awaited resolution of the TikTok U.S. drama, a notable merger between Rembrandt and Spaceback, and Index Exchange’s groundbreaking integration with Grace Note. Host Kate unpacks the details, implications, and what these shifts mean for advertisers, creators, and platforms heading into 2025. 5 Key Highlights: TikTok’s U.S. operations are set to spin into a new company with majority American ownership (80%), including Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz, and Silver Lake, while ByteDance retains 20%. A new TikTok U.S. app is reportedly in testing, requiring users to migrate accounts, raising concerns about logins, content transfers, and algorithm performance. Rembrandt acquired Spaceback, adding scale with 3,000+ advertisers and expanding its AI-driven creative offerings to blend product placements with organic content. The merger reflects broader industry trends: AI-driven “intelligent creative,” creative functions shifting into buying platforms, and the blending of context with content. Index Exchange and Grace Note launched the first integration enabling show-level targeting and reporting in CTV, addressing long-standing transparency challenges for advertisers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 m