Signal & Noise

Signal & Noise

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Join advertising industry veterans Brett House and Rio Longacre as they share regular updates and analysis on the changing world of data, tech, and AI. You’ll hear real talk from thought leaders across industries about the latest trends having the biggest impact on our jobs… and lives. Signal & Noise means no BS - only straight talk and first-hand insights from leading operators, creators, and founders.

2D AGO

Referee to Co-Pilot: Ad Verification in the Age of AI with Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify

Ad verification is no longer just about blocking bad ads—it’s becoming a core input into how media is planned, optimized, and measured. In this episode of Signal & Noise, hosts Rio Longacre and Brett House sit down with Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify, to unpack how verification is evolving in the age of AI.Mark brings a rare perspective, having led multiple AdTech companies across market cycles—from building and selling eXelate to Nielsen, to turning around Telaria, and now steering DoubleVerify as a public company. We discuss how that background shapes his philosophy as DV moves from being the industry’s “referee” to a more active co-pilot for marketers focused on outcomes.The conversation covers a wide range of timely topics: DV’s strong recent performance and what’s driving it, the shift from protection to performance and attention, and how acquisitions like Scibids AI and Rockerbox signal a tighter connection between media quality and business results. We also tackle some of the industry’s toughest debates—over-blocking and its impact on quality news, the role of AI in verification and optimization, CTV fraud and measurement gaps, sustainability and carbon signals, and how brands can invest confidently in credible journalism without sacrificing suitability.This is a candid, operator-level discussion about trust, transparency, and accountability in modern media—and what it really takes to connect quality signals to outcomes in a rapidly changing ecosystem.

47 min
JAN 20

CES 2026: The Signal Clearly — Special Episode, Live from Las Vegas with Rio Longacre & Brett House

From the show floor to the executive suites, CES 2026 wasn’t just another technology expo — it was a global turning point for AI, media, data, and the future of digital experiences. In this special edition of Signal & Noise, co-hosts Rio Longacre and Brett House bring you their top takeaways, on-the-ground interviews, and operator-first analysis straight from Las Vegas. In this finale episode of our CES series, Rio and Brett break down how AI has moved from feature to foundation — reshaping go-to-market strategies, content ecosystems, and the connective tissue between brands, agencies, and consumers. They dive into why AI isn’t just automating yesterday’s playbook but reinventing how decisions get made and value gets created. Along the way, you’ll hear candid field notes and executive voices from across the ecosystem — from founders and technologists to data leaders — illuminating what matters most heading into 2026 and beyond. Whether it’s AI infrastructure, data ontology, media activation, or the renewed energy of in-person connections after years of remote events, this episode captures the signal above the noise.Hit play to learn:- Why AI is now the operating system of modern business- How semantic layers and probabilistic data are reshaping media performance- What executives are prioritizing in a future where trust and context matter more than ever- Real talk on the return of deep human interaction in a digital worldThis is Signal & Noise CES 2026 — an operator’s view on what’s next. Tune in.

1h 17m
JAN 19

CES 2026–"This is 1942": Brett and Rio Have a Candid Conversation with Lou Paskalis

Recorded live in Las Vegas during CES 2026, this special Signal & Noise conversation brings together Rio Longacre and Brett House with one of the industry’s most trusted—and outspoken—voices: Lou Paskalis. In this wide-ranging discussion, Lou digs into the future of the industry in light of the rise of a tidal wave of AI-generated content, synthetic versus authentic signals, regulatory changes versus human discernment, and how trust is shifting from institutions to people. Given these dynamics, we dig into the role of creative and how content creators will play an outsized role in the future of the industry—exploring the evolving roles of platforms, advertisers, and agencies in a future that's increasingly fractured and AI-driven. As always, Lou doesn’t pull punches, ending on an surprisingly optimistic note for the industry, especially beleaguered news publishers. "For the industry, this is 1942," he quips. The year 1942, if you'll recall, is when the allies began to turn the war around. This is a candid, no-holds-barred conversation about the future of the industry—and our society.

19 min
JAN 16

AWS re:Invent 2025: Beyond the Hype—Agentic AI, Interoperability, and the Return of IRL

What actually mattered at AWS re:Invent 2025—once the keynotes ended and the hype faded? In this belated, boots-on-the-ground debrief from Las Vegas, Signal & Noise hosts Brett House and Rio Longacre break down the real signals from re:Invent 2025, drawing on executive conversations, daily floor recaps, and firsthand time with partners and practitioners across the ecosystem. Joined throughout by Credera's Alyssa Furth, the episode focuses less on announcements, and more on what’s actually changing inside modern data, marketing, and AI stacks. Across conversations with partners including Databricks, Tealium, Treasure Data, Claravine, and Jasper, a few themes came through loud and clear: Agentic AI is real now — moving from buzzword to builder toolkit with services like Nova, Bedrock, Transform, and MCP Interoperability matters more than ever — as brands struggle to connect fragmented MarTech and AdTech stacks without massive re-platforming Data foundations are non-negotiable — governance, consent, metadata, and taxonomy are still the gating factors for everything AI promises IRL is back — re:Invent proved that real relationships and in-person collaboration are accelerating progress faster than months of remote meetings ever could Rather than chasing shiny objects, this episode surfaces a more grounded truth: AI doesn’t replace fundamentals—it exposes where they’re broken. And the organizations making progress are the ones investing in connective tissue, not just new tools. If you’re navigating agentic AI, modern data stacks, or the future of marketing and analytics—and want to know what actually changed at re:Invent—this episode separates signal from noise. Enjoy!

1h 8m
11/05/2025

Signal & Noise Special Edition: Advertising Week 2025

Signal & Noise: Live from Advertising Week 2025 dives into the most urgent conversations shaping modern advertising — from AI enablement and data transparency to the evolution of streaming, publishers, and the creator economy. Hosts Rio Longacre and Brett House speak with industry leaders to unpack how technology, innovation, and authenticity are redefining outcomes and quality in media. Tune in for fresh insights from the front lines of ad tech’s most transformative moment. Featured Interviews for AdWeek 2025: Johnathan Barnes, Founder & CEO, Population Science; Alyssa Furth, Senior Manager, Credera; Tim Rowe, Curator, State of Streaming; Scott Messer, Principal & Founder, Messer Media; Krish Raja, Founder, Mindmaker AI; Alexis Hochleutner, Founder, Arc Digital; Shiv Gupta, Founder, U of Digital; Karsten Weide, Principal & Chief Analyst, W Media Research; Ethan Steininger, Founder & CEO, Mixpeek; Erez Levin, Principal, Emet Advisory; Anne Thiel, Senior Director Ad & RevOps, Cox Automotive; and Bob Walczak, Founder & CEO, MadConnect

49 min
09/17/2025

Publisher Monetization Woes: Is the News Media in Jeopardy? with Jessica Hogue

Hearst Consumer Media Chief Data Officer, Jessica Hogue, joins us to unpack how a 137-year-old publisher is rebuilding its data foundation—linking first-party identity, contextual intelligence, and tighter supply paths—to grow revenue beyond the open auction. We tackle AI’s “zero-click” squeeze, brand-safety overblocking, and the push for outcomes without backsliding into last-click. Enjoy!

1h 10m
09/05/2025

Stop Blocking the News: Brand Safety, Performance, and the Case for Journalism

This episode of Signal & Noise features industry veteran and well-known personality Lou Paskalis in a wide-ranging conversation on the state of advertising, brand safety, and the future of news media. The discussion explores why marketers have historically avoided advertising in news, the misguided reliance on keyword and domain blocking, and new research showing ads next to quality journalism don’t harm brand perception. Paskalis also dives into how AI, programmatic buying, and publisher data strategies are reshaping the economics of journalism—and why supporting trustworthy reporting is both a civic duty and a smart business move

1h 17m
08/06/2025

Rise of the Machines: Is the Media Buying FTE Model DOA

In this episode of Signal & Noise, Brett, Rio, and special guest Shiv Gupta (Founder & CEO of U of Digital) dive into the seismic impact AI is having on the advertising industry. Listen as they explore Meta’s bold push toward fully automated media buying, question the future of the agency FTE model, and examine how AI could upend traditional workflows while opening the door for new roles, business models, and human-centered strategy.

1h 13m
07/01/2025

Ad Fraud: Are the Bad Guys Winning with Dr. Augustine Fou

In Episode 3, Brett and Rio take aim at a problem that quietly siphons billions of dollars and erodes trust every single day: digital ad fraud. The question is neither theoretical nor hyperbole: for many brands, it genuinely feels like the bad guys are winning. Bot farms masquerade as premium publishers, MFA sites inflate metrics, and even “safe” channels like CTV are showing cracks with pervasive illicit activity. No one agrees on exactly how much ad fraud is out there – but everyone agrees there is a lot. Most estimates say it amounts to multiple billions of dollars annually, a staggering total.With the stakes so high, this is an important topic. That’s why we invited Dr. Augustine Fou, one of the industry’s most relentless fraud hunters, to cut through the noise. Over the next hour we confront the uncomfortable truths, expose the latest tactics, and—crucially—outline concrete steps you can take before your next media plan goes live. Let’s roll up our sleeves and see who’s really winning.

1h 13m
06/05/2025

Agentic AI and the Future of SaaS with Ben Wilde

In episode 2, we dive deep into Georgian's research on AI adoption across marketing and technology teams, the opportunities and challenges associated current agentic and generative AI solutions, and potential impacts across industries. While we believe AI augments existing software rather than replaces it, there will be impacts on specific job functions and work streams critical to marketing and advertising transformation. Learn what organizational changes are needed for effective AI integration, how to get started, and the challenges you'll likely face as AI adoption increases across your organization.

1h 22m
05/19/2025

Revenge of the Publishers: The Great Replatforming with Stephanie Layser

In this episode of Signal & Noise, Stephanie Layser (AKA, Google-slayer) joins hosts Brett and Rio to discuss how publishers can adapt in a digital landscape dominated by tech giants. She explores the role of AI in improving monetization, the shift toward direct ad sales, and the need for innovation to stay competitive. The episode covers brand safety, content control, and changing consumer habits—especially among younger audiences. Stephanie also highlights the importance of streamlining ad sales and using data to drive engagement and revenue.

1h 12m

11 Episodes

Join advertising industry veterans Brett House and Rio Longacre as they share regular updates and analysis on the changing world of data, tech, and AI. You’ll hear real talk from thought leaders across industries about the latest trends having the biggest impact on our jobs… and lives. Signal & Noise means no BS - only straight talk and first-hand insights from leading operators, creators, and founders.

Creator

Signal & Noise
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Signal & Noise
Show Website

Signal & Noise