AdTechGod Pod

AdTechGod, The AdTech God

A Podcast For The People About The People. The AdTechGod ® Pod celebrates the Minds Behind Adtech and offers an engaging platform where listeners can discover the stories and insights of the individuals driving the advertising technology industry. This podcast shines a spotlight on the creative and innovative minds that make adtech great, providing a unique perspective on the people behind the technology that shapes our digital advertising experiences. All guests appearing on the adtech god podcast are invited participants; they do not provide compensation to AdTechGod for their appearance. The podcast's funding is provided through preroll and midroll advertisements, which are sponsored by various companies. If you are interested in being a guest or advertising on the AdTechGod Pod (The Adtech God Podcast) please visit https://www.adtechgod.com/adtechgod-pod.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Ep. 102 The Evolution of Advertising: Amy Lanzi on Strategy, Creators & Change

    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

    37 min
  2. 7 OCT

    Ep. 101 The Reach Effect: Inside the Business of Smarter TV

    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

    36 min
  3. 2 OCT

    Ep. 100 The Future of Ad Tech & Agencies: AI, Giving Back, Walled Gardens & People-First Innovation

    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

    1h 16m
  4. 30 SEPT

    Ep. 99 The CIO Perspective: Kelly Metz from Spark Foundry on AI, CTV, and Simplicity in Media

    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

    31 min
  5. 29 SEPT

    Unlocking the Overlooked 40% with John Piccone from Adform

    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

    13 min
  6. 23 SEPT

    Ep. 98 From Standards to Streaming: Hillary Slatery on Programmatic, Curation & AI

    In this episode of the Ad Tech Godpod, host AdTechGod speaks with Hillary Slatery, 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 Slatery 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 Slatery 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

    34 min
  7. 16 SEPT

    Ep.97 Agents, Not People: How AI is Rewriting Ad Operations with Joe Hirsch

    Joe Hirsch the CEO of Swivel and former CEO of SpringServe, shares his journey through the ad tech industry, discussing his experiences with affiliate marketing, ad serving, and the evolution of ad operations. He emphasizes the importance of operational efficiency and the role of AI in optimizing ad campaigns, while also addressing the future of AdOps and the integration of technology in the advertising space. Takeaways Joe Hirsch has a long history in ad tech, starting from affiliate marketing. He co-founded multiple companies, including Spring Serve, which was acquired by Magnite. Swivel aims to automate repetitive tasks in ad operations to improve efficiency. The ad server business model requires scaling operations without increasing labor costs. Swivel integrates AI to replicate and scale human decision-making in ad operations. AI is not meant to replace humans but to augment their capabilities. The future of AdOps will see agents as primary users of ad platforms. Precision in ad operations is crucial to avoid costly mistakes. AdOps professionals should embrace AI technologies to enhance their skills. The ad tech industry is evolving rapidly, with AI playing a significant role. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Joe Hirsch and His Journey 04:48Transitioning from Spring Serve to Swivel 10:58Understanding Swivel's Operational Efficiency 16:07The Future of AdOps and AI Integration The Refresh News: September 15:Google’s AdTech Filing, Magnite’s AI Bet, and YouTube’s NFL Debut This episode of The Refresh covers three major stories shaping advertising this week: Google’s eyebrow-raising statements in its AdTech antitrust remedies filing, Magnite’s acquisition of creative production platform Streamer AI, and YouTube’s first-ever exclusive NFL broadcast. Host Kate breaks down the implications of each development for advertisers, publishers, and platforms in the evolving digital ecosystem. Google’s court filing revealed open web display ads purchased through AdWords dropped to 11% in January 2025, down from 40% in 2019, sparking concerns over the open web’s decline. Google defended itself by attributing ad spend shifts to CTV and retail media, while critics highlighted its dominance in directing referral traffic through AI-driven search changes. Magnite announced the acquisition of Streamer AI to help small and mid-sized businesses overcome creative production hurdles in connected TV advertising. The CTV market is expanding rapidly, with Nielsen reporting 75% of TV viewing is ad-supported and eMarketer projecting $33B in CTV ad spend for 2025, though measurement challenges remain. YouTube’s first free exclusive NFL broadcast drew 17.3M viewers globally, surpassing Amazon’s 2024 averages but raising questions about sustaining viewership once games move behind a paywall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  8. 9 SEPT

    Ep. 96 Inside United Airlines’ Journey with Mike Petrella from Kinective Media

    In this conversation, Mike Petrella, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kinective Media by United Airlines, discusses his journey in the advertising and media industry, the establishment of Kinective Media, and its role in transforming traveler commerce. He highlights the importance of partnerships, customer choice, and the use of data and AI to enhance the travel experience. The discussion also covers the unique aspects of the commerce media network and how it engages with affluent travelers. Takeaways Mike Petrella has a rich background in media and advertising.Connective Media is the first traveler media network. The network aims to enrich traveler journeys through personalized experiences. Partnerships are crucial for expanding the offerings of Mileage Plus. Data privacy is a top priority in handling traveler information. AI is being utilized to enhance customer interactions and experiences. The average traveler spends significant time engaging with content during their journey. Kinective Media targets affluent individuals with tailored advertising The platform offers omnichannel access to travelers across various touchpoints. Creating a personalized journey is essential for customer loyalty. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kinective Media and Mike Petrella 02:03 Mike's Journey to United Airlines 04:55 Building Kinective Media from Scratch 06:09 Understanding the Commerce Media Network 08:43 Engaging Advertisers and Brands 11:21 Partnerships and Customer Choice 13:56 Loyalty Programs and Consumer Journey 15:10 Utilizing Data for Targeting 18:39 The Role of AI in Enhancing Travel Experience The Refresh News: September 8:Google’s Antitrust “Win,” Epsilon SSP Backlash, and Perplexity Pauses Ads This episode of The Refresh breaks down the week’s biggest stories in advertising and tech regulation. Google escaped the harshest remedies in its long-running search antitrust trial, with the court declining to force a Chrome or Android spinoff or ban payments to partners like Apple and Samsung. Meanwhile, media buyers are taking a closer look at Publicis-owned Epsilon SSP, with some blocking it entirely due to transparency concerns. And in the AI space, Perplexity has pulled back on its ad experiments, raising bigger questions about how generative search can—or should—be monetized. Judge Mehta’s ruling spared Google from structural breakups or bans on partner payments, requiring only limited data sharing and oversight for six years. Generative AI competition from OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, and Perplexity influenced the court’s belief that search competition is evolving without harsher remedies. Google maintains dominance with 65–70% of global browser share and around 40% of ad spend coming from paid search. Media buyers discovered they were funneling spend through Publicis-owned Epsilon SSP via reselling, sparking data leakage and conflict-of-interest concerns. Perplexity scaled back its ads after advertiser pushback, highlighting the lack of clear value, measurement, and final product structure in AI-driven ad formats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

About

A Podcast For The People About The People. The AdTechGod ® Pod celebrates the Minds Behind Adtech and offers an engaging platform where listeners can discover the stories and insights of the individuals driving the advertising technology industry. This podcast shines a spotlight on the creative and innovative minds that make adtech great, providing a unique perspective on the people behind the technology that shapes our digital advertising experiences. All guests appearing on the adtech god podcast are invited participants; they do not provide compensation to AdTechGod for their appearance. The podcast's funding is provided through preroll and midroll advertisements, which are sponsored by various companies. If you are interested in being a guest or advertising on the AdTechGod Pod (The Adtech God Podcast) please visit https://www.adtechgod.com/adtechgod-pod.

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