ADSN

ADSN Shows

ADSN (The Ads Network) is a weekly show for people building and investing in Big Tech. The show covers it all: ads, AI, media, monetization products, and the latest updates from the biggest companies in tech. Every week, join James Borow and Daniel Druger as they bring over 30 years of experience to discuss the headlines and the why and how behind them. They also welcome industry leaders to go deep on topics in a fun and approachable format. Join the ADSN crew every week.

  1. 2d ago

    Knowledge Creators, New Media Business, and Going Beyond Brand Deals With Jenny Rothenberg | 30 Minutes

    “To treat all creators as like a monolith is crazy.” Jenny Rothenberg, co-founder and COO of Smooth Media comes on 30 Minutes to share how knowledge creators are building real media businesses, not just chasing the next brand deal. Drawing on her experience at Morning Brew and Industry Dive, Jenny describes the operating needs of of creators across content strategy, hiring, products, events, and growth. She explains why a creator's understanding of their audience is a major part of what brands are buying, and how overly restrictive briefs can undermine that value. Jenny also explains how Smooth evaluates talent without a fixed follower threshold, why a distinctive point of view matters in crowded categories, and why creator-management and brand-partnerships teams should work separately. The conversation covers platform dependence, the challenges of long-form YouTube, why newsletters aren't mandatory for every creator, and Jenny's case for specialized infrastructure. And it's time to kill the creator economy, it's all about the “creator industry.” Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.comSharp Pen Media — Marketing and communications for adtech and martech companies, from positioning and PR to demand generation. ⁠sharppenmedia.com STAY CONNECTED James on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborow Daniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger Subscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    Knowledge Creators, New Media Business, and Going Beyond Brand Deals With Jenny Rothenberg | 30 Minutes

  2. 6d ago

    X's New Product Chapter, YouTube's Moat, and Creator Pay | ADSN Rundown

    Daniel and James open with ADSN's reported scoop on Peter Sellis' move to lead product at X and discuss what his advertising and consumer-product experience could mean for the platform. The conversation then turns to the earnings debate: Google's search business faces pressure from AI, while James sees YouTube as its strongest defensive asset. They examine the difference between attracting usage and monetizing it, including potential advertising surfaces in AI products and the challenges Reddit could face as answers move away from its own pages. The guys also compare Meta's and Amazon's advertising models, share how agent access can influence where a purchase happens, and debate the opportunity and risk for creators adopting Instagram's discussed long-form format before revenue sharing is clear. They make their case for technology's benefits while acknowledging the need for accountability. Tech Trades covers the Similarweb leadership announcement discussed in the recording, and Primary Posts closes with a SpaceX/Boost Mobile rumor and a resource intended to separate Instagram guidance from algorithm folklore. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.comSharp Pen Media — Marketing and communications for adtech and martech companies, from positioning and PR to demand generation. sharppenmedia.com STAY CONNECTEDJames on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborowDaniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldrugerSubscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

  3. Nov 4

    SPECIAL: ADSN + Unharnessed | Muse, AI Shopping, and the Future of Ads

    "If agents don't give us more time to interact with humans, then the agents are failing" ADSN joins up with Unharnessed pod's Jonathan Moffie and Joseph Hirsch for a special crossover episode on AI agents, shopping, and what it all means for advertising. A debate quickly ensues over Muse and how Joe intends to buy a vintage Bronco using it, while James and Moffie are all in letting Muse take over purchases. This all leads to a bigger question: will agents become the next feed, or will they weaken the websites and publishers that people still want to visit? The one thing Meta's Muse can't do very well? Buy Meta ads. And why enterprise relationships still matter when software is easier to build, plus the potential for TV ads to connect with shopping agents. It's not just bout AI for the sake of it, we even tackle how Joe is using AI to have a stronger marriage and more phone-free time with his family. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.comSharp Pen Media – Marketing and communications for adtech and martech companies, from positioning and PR to demand generation. sharppenmedia.com STAY CONNECTEDJames on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborowDaniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldrugerSubscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    SPECIAL: ADSN + Unharnessed | Muse, AI Shopping, and the Future of Ads

  4. Oct 27

    Netflix's Ad Strategy and Why Vibe Coding May Not Kill SaaS | ADSN Rundown

    Daniel and James debate where the next durable technology businesses will come from, starting with their enterprise thesis for Anthropic and Meta's combination of AI products and distribution. A public exchange over a vibe-coded beehiiv alternative becomes a discussion about what customers actually pay for: dependable email delivery, continued development, and a team that stays focused after the first demo. They also discuss Thrad's reported $1 million monetization fund for consumer AI apps and challenge Netflix's approach to building its advertising business. Tech Trades introduces Chloe and Mary's Ladies Who Launch, followed by a speculative Kevel exit over-under around a $1 billion line. Primary Posts closes with a marketplace for attending strangers' weddings and a Shopify milestone that prompts a conversation about more people starting businesses. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.com STAY CONNECTEDJames on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborowDaniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldrugerSubscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    Netflix's Ad Strategy and Why Vibe Coding May Not Kill SaaS | ADSN Rundown

  5. Oct 22

    Will Shopping Agents Break Retail Media? ft. Ari Paparo | 30 Minutes

    Daniel and James welcome back Ari Paparo, author of Yield and host of Marketecture, to debate where advertising and commerce go next. Ari shares his impressions of Amazon's combined retail-media and DSP buying experience, explains why purchase signals can be more useful than broad search histories, and makes the case for Walmart's advertising ambitions. As an early Vibe investor and board member, he discusses how retail data, television distribution, and tools for advertisers outside Walmart's stores could work together. The conversation gets sharper when Ari challenges James's enthusiasm for consumer agents: after two weeks and roughly 10 projects, is Muse delivering lasting value or just entertaining experiments? They explore whether agents undermine retail media by skipping browsing, where sponsored recommendations belong, and why affiliate fees could become a major battleground. Daniel adds a retailer's concern about agents failing to build coordinated multi-item carts. Ari closes with his account of the Google ad-tech remedies discussion and his ambition to write more explanatory business books. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.com STAY CONNECTED James on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborow Daniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger Subscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    Will Shopping Agents Break Retail Media? ft. Ari Paparo | 30 Minutes

  6. Oct 20

    Run-on-Ones, Career Advisors, and Unlimited PTO | Ladies Who Launch

    Pinterest and Crexi Executives Chloe Wix and Mary Bloom introduce Ladies Who Launch, a new ADSN conversation about the products, careers, and friendships people build along the way. They revisit their early Snapchat days, how a connection through Mary's future husband became a working relationship, and why moving their meetings outside helped them solve problems. Their “run-on-ones” along Venice Beach became both a brainstorming ritual and the foundation of a friendship that still serves as a trusted sounding board for career decisions. In their first “Kill, Launch, or Iterate” segment, they weigh Spectacles, flavored Philadelphia cream cheese, and unlimited PTO. Chloe explains why a defined vacation allowance helped her take more time off, while Mary argues that unclear expectations make unlimited leave harder to navigate. Alongside stories about wearables and wedding footage, they return to a practical theme: strong relationships and clear agreements help turn good ideas into action. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.com Subscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    Run-on-Ones, Career Advisors, and Unlimited PTO | Ladies Who Launch

  7. Oct 16

    Dorm Room Ads, Consumer AI Economics, and Apple's Big Opportunity | THE RUNDOWN

    Daniel and James start with a student selling ad space on her wall to pay tuition, then take the idea of “everything is an ad network” straight to James's hat and Daniel's family-photo background. They discuss an X Money appeal that reportedly raised more than $10,000 toward a Cybertruck and debate a cited figure showing only 2.2% of US households paying for AI. Daniel sees a promising starting point; James sees a consumer market that will largely be funded by ads and commerce. The conversation moves into reported visual ad tests in ChatGPT, why advertising can be relevant to the person without matching the surrounding content, and whether AI generation wait time creates a new placement opportunity. They also debate TikTok's off-platform expansion and argue that Apple could build an advertising business connected to payments. The episode closes with a discussion of food-industry concentration, a speculative Tech Trades segment, James's account of a Dallas conference, and Primary Posts about collaboration and a stadium singing Blink-182 to Tom DeLonge. Thank you to our sponsors: AdQuick – Making OOH advertising as easy to plan, buy, and measure as digital. adquick.comThrad.ai — Building the advertising infrastructure for AI. thrad.aibeehiiv — The all-in-one platform for newsletters, websites, and every tool you need to grow and earn. beehiiv.comThe Farm — Fraction commercial legal with an in-house approach to outside counsel. thefarmllp.com STAY CONNECTED James on Twitter & LinkedIn – /jamesborow Daniel on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger Subscribe & leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

    Dorm Room Ads, Consumer AI Economics, and Apple's Big Opportunity | THE RUNDOWN

  8. Oct 15

    Alex Hormozi, Shelby Sapp, and Noah Kagan All Have This One Things in Common | SPECIAL EPISODE w/ Jay Yang

    "Volume negates luck." That is one of the many Jay-"isms" we get into on this episode of No Permission. Jay Yang is the author of You Can Just Do Things and the upcoming Work With The Best. He's on a mission to show people they can create their own opportunities through permissionless action (No Permission!!!). And it's not just his mission, it's also how he lives his life. Jay cold emailed Tyler Denk at Beehiiv at 16 and landed an internship while still in high school. At 17, he spent 50 hours building a pitch deck for Noah Hagan and became his head of content. At 18, he built a six-figure ghostwriting agency. At 19, he dropped out of college, joined Alex Hormozi's ⁠acquisition.com⁠, helped set a Guinness World Record for their book launch, and published his own bestseller, You Can Just Do Things. Now at 20, he has 500,000 followers across platforms, a newsletter with 50,000 subscribers, 55,000+ tweets, and a second book dropping September 30, 2026. Links from the episode: ⁠Amazon: You Can Just Do Things (Book)⁠⁠Amazon: Work With The Best (Book)⁠⁠https://jayyanginspires.com/⁠⁠Jay's YouTube⁠ 🤝 Partner with No Permission: ⁠daniel@nopermissionpodcast.com⁠ 🎤 Your host: Daniel Druger – 3x exited founder / operator, Fortune 50 product exec, ex-Snapchat, startup investor. 15+ years working as a founder and with founders. 📫 STAY CONNECTED Instagram: /danieldruger TikTok: /danieldruger LinkedIn: /danieldruger Newsletter: ⁠theadsn.com⁠ 👉 Hit Subscribe & tap the 🔔, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. This only takes seconds and helps more people discover No Permission and the this generation of great builders.

    Alex Hormozi, Shelby Sapp, and Noah Kagan All Have This One Things in Common | SPECIAL EPISODE w/ Jay Yang
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4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

ADSN (The Ads Network) is a weekly show for people building and investing in Big Tech. The show covers it all: ads, AI, media, monetization products, and the latest updates from the biggest companies in tech. Every week, join James Borow and Daniel Druger as they bring over 30 years of experience to discuss the headlines and the why and how behind them. They also welcome industry leaders to go deep on topics in a fun and approachable format. Join the ADSN crew every week.

Information

  • Creator
    ADSN Shows
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © ADSN Shows
  • Show Website
    ADSN

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