Retail Media Unboxed

Advertising Week
  • 3.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Unfiltered conversations, actionable takeaways, and a fresh perspective on the world of retail media.

Episodes

  1. 18H AGO

    Retail Media’s Growing Pains: Steve Biddle on Fragmentation, Merchant Alignment, and the Next Evolution of RMNs

    On today’s episode, we’re joined by Steve Biddle, Chief Commercial Officer at Zitcha. With a career spanning Walmart, Meta, and now one of retail media’s leading orchestration platforms, Steve brings a uniquely deep perspective on how the retail media ecosystem has evolved — and where it still faces major growing pains. In this conversation, we unpack the operational and structural tensions slowing the next phase of retail media growth, including fragmentation across platforms, the disconnect between merchant organizations and retail media teams, and why traditional advertising metrics don’t always reflect real retail outcomes. Steve also shares his thoughts on the future role of AI in simplifying retail media execution, why transparency across networks matters more than ever, and how stronger integration between merchant data and media systems could fundamentally reshape the industry. It’s a thoughtful, candid conversation about where retail media stands today — and what needs to happen next.

    17 min

  2. APR 16

    Beyond the Screen: How Digital Out-of-Home Is Powering Retail Media’s Real-World Moment

    In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, we sit down with Intersection CEO Chris Grosso to explore how digital out-of-home (DOOH) is redefining the path to purchase. From LinkNYC kiosks to transit networks across major U.S. cities, Grosso outlines how location, timing, and real-world context are turning everyday environments into high-intent media channels. We dive into the overlooked power of proximity, the role of experiential in a fragmented media landscape, and why marketers may be over-optimizing for short-term performance at the expense of long-term brand growth. Plus, how advancements in foot traffic attribution, mobile data, and AI-driven planning are finally helping DOOH prove its impact alongside retail media networks.

    21 min

  3. FEB 3

    Beyond First-Party Data: How Experian Marketing Is Powering the Next Phase of Retail Media

    Retail media networks are booming—but they’re also hitting real constraints around scale, signal loss, and measurement. In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, we sit down with Colin Grieves, Managing Director at Experian Marketing Services UK and Ireland, to unpack what’s actually changing beneath the surface of retail media in 2026. We explore why first-party data alone is no longer enough, how privacy-safe third-party insight helps resolve the precision-vs-scale trade-off, and why interoperability and collaboration are becoming essential for retailers, agencies, and brands alike. The conversation also dives into shifting consumer behavior, value-seeking mindsets, and the critical role high-quality data will play as AI becomes embedded across media buying, creative, and measurement.

    18 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    How Amex Ads Connects Brands With High-Spending Consumers in the Moments That Matter

    In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, host we sit down with Jacob King, Senior Vice President of Amex Offers & Digital Media at American Express, for an inside look at how Amex Ads is redefining the commerce media landscape. Building on more than a decade of success with Amex Offers—which drove over $15 billion in global spend last year alone—American Express is now extending its relevance, personalization, and value into a full-fledged media offering.   Jacob explains how Amex Ads leverages the company’s closed-loop network, rich first-party transaction data, and premium digital platforms like AmexTravel.com and Resy to help brands connect with 34 million high-spending U.S. card members in contextual, high-intent moments. He shares early results from pilots with partners like Marriott and Tumi—results that far exceeded benchmarks thanks to precise targeting, full-funnel measurement, and both online and offline spend attribution.

    14 min

  5. 10/01/2025

    Retail Media 3.0: Dave Simon on In-Store Innovation and the Next Wave of Shopper Engagement

    In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, Vibenomics President Dave Simon breaks down why the future of retail media is firmly rooted in the physical store. Drawing from his ad-tech background, Dave compares mobile gaming’s performance marketing to the opportunities retailers have with their rich shopper data, and explains how AI and machine learning can unlock outcome-based advertising at scale. He shares why in-store audio, immersive LED experiences, and scent marketing are key to “Retail Media 3.0,” and offers a forward look at the creative activations that will define 2026 and beyond .

    24 min

  6. 09/24/2025

    From Inspiration to Transaction: Vudoo’s Nick Morgan on the Future of Commerce Media

    In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, Nick Morgan, CEO of Vudoo, reveals how his company is redefining the shopping journey by making every brand touchpoint instantly shoppable. Nick explains why impressions alone no longer cut it, and how commerce media can close the loop between inspiration and conversion. He shares insights on “brandformance,” the importance of real-time shopper data, and how AI and conversational search are reshaping discovery and personalization. From always-on commerce experiences to the evolving metrics of success, discover how Vudoo is building the infrastructure for seamless, 24/7 transactions—and what it means for brands, agencies, and the future of retail media.

    22 min

  7. 03/06/2025

    Unlocking Retail Media: Strategies, Trends, and the UK Perspective with Annie Symonds

    In this episode of Retail Media Unboxed, we sit down with Annie Symonds, Strategy Director at Initials CX, to explore the ever-evolving world of retail media. From breaking down its definition to discussing the latest trends, Annie shares expert insights on how brands can fully leverage retail media to drive conversions, build brand equity, and integrate it into a seamless omnichannel strategy. Annie dives into the do’s and don’ts of retail media, the importance of breaking down internal silos, and why creative execution is just as critical as data-driven targeting. Plus, hear her take on the future of retail media—how AI, off-site expansion, and the consolidation of networks will shape the industry in the coming years. If you’re looking to optimize your retail media strategy and gain a UK perspective on this fast-growing space, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

    19 min

  8. 02/10/2025

    Kroger Precision Marketing & The Future of Data-Driven Advertising

    In the inaugural episode of Retail Media Unboxed, we sit down with Cara Pratt, SVP, Kroger Precision Marketing at 84.51˚, to explore the evolution of retail media and its growing influence on the advertising industry. Cara breaks down how Kroger leverages data from its 96% loyalty-connected sales to create precision-targeted media strategies, why first-party data is becoming the gold standard for marketers, and how brands can drive meaningful engagement with customers. We also discuss the role of trust in loyalty programs, the shift towards channel-agnostic advertising, and the future of data-driven marketing in a privacy-first world. Tune in for an insightful deep dive into one of the most exciting spaces in modern advertising!

    24 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Unfiltered conversations, actionable takeaways, and a fresh perspective on the world of retail media.

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