The Digiday Podcast

Rachel Lindsay, former Bachelorette and co-host of the Higher Learning podcast, shares her journey as a content creator and emphasizes the need for genuine connections at events like Cannes. Roman Wasenmüller, Spotify's head of podcast business, discusses the platform's support for creators and the importance of diverse revenue streams. They delve into the evolving monetization landscape, the transition from audio to video content, and how collaboration can enhance the creative experience while building trust within the community.

A few years ago, Twitter Beach was one of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity places to be. Nowadays, the beach and Twitter execs are harder to find. Instead of the flashy fireside chats and branded lounges, X’s execs are found behind closed doors, quietly courting marketers and media buyers against a backdrop of lawsuits, Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM)’s disbanding and political crosshairs. It’s a clear sign that the platform’s role in the ad ecosystem– and culture overall–has dramatically shifted. In this episode of the podcast, platforms reporter Krystal Scanlon joins host Kimeko McCoy about Twitter, now X, and what its retreat from the Cannes beachfront says about its relationship with advertisers, as well as TikTok’s head in the sand mentality around the ban.

Peggy McCann, Chief Media Officer at GSD&M, dives into the vibrant world of retail media networks at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. She highlights their rise, emphasizing how they’ve evolved from mere conversion tools to key players in the entire marketing funnel. McCann discusses the importance of first-party data and emotional connections with consumers. As advertising faces economic challenges, she underscores the need for flexible strategies and collaboration between brands and retail partners to truly drive engagement.

Patricia Corsi, the Chief Growth Officer at Kimberly-Clark, shares her insights on navigating the buzz of AI at Cannes Lions 2025. With a background at Bayer, she emphasizes the importance of cutting through the hype to focus on impactful marketing. Corsi discusses innovative strategies for brand messaging, particularly for Kimberly-Clark's adult care brand Poise, and reflects on the festival's evolution as a business hub for creativity and collaboration. Her perspectives on networking and the transformative role of AI in marketing are particularly engaging.

Jim Cooper, Editor-in-chief at Digiday, offers insights from his Cannes Lions experiences, sharing tips for surviving the festival's blend of glam and networking chaos. He discusses crucial strategies for balancing professional commitments with social events, cautioning on the importance of self-care. The conversation also touches on Warner Bros. Discovery's split, an optimistic outlook for ad spending, and WPP’s ambitious plans for AI in advertising. Prepare to navigate Cannes with style, hydration, and savvy!

In this engaging discussion, Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire, shares insights on her daily routines and the challenges of leading a fashion magazine in today's digital landscape. The conversation dives into AI's transformative impact on the media industry, including Amazon's new content licensing deal and recent layoffs at Business Insider due to AI advancements. Nikki also emphasizes the importance of mindful mornings and work-life balance, highlighting how personal routines can foster creativity and well-being.

Dan Taylor, VP of Global Ads at Google, shares insights on the tech giant's shift to AI-driven advertising in search. He discusses how this transformation enhances user engagement through dynamic ad placements tailored to individual queries. The conversation also touches on the impacts of OpenAI's hardware ambitions and Publicis's acquisition of Captiv8 in the influencer marketing landscape. Taylor emphasizes the balance between monetization and user experience, as Google navigates the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into its advertising ecosystem.

David Campanelli, President of Global Investment at Horizon Media, shares his insights on the TV and streaming upfront ad marketplace. Sam Bradley, a senior reporter at Digiday, provides a European perspective on the upfront market. They discuss the recent Charter-Cox merger amidst declining pay-TV audiences and Microsoft's shutdown of its demand-side platform. The duo sheds light on the challenges in ad tech, the evolving dynamics of advertising measurement, and the urgent need for brands to adapt their strategies in a fast-changing landscape.

Elena McGurn, SVP of Search at Digitas and an expert in AI-driven search strategies, dives into the evolving landscape of SEO. She discusses how AI is reshaping traditional search behaviors and the implications for brands. OpenAI's recent talent acquisition is explored, highlighting its impact on the advertising landscape. Additionally, the redesign of Netflix's home screen is examined, focusing on personalization and user engagement, which could revolutionize content recommendations and ad interactions for viewers.

Michael Bürgi, Senior Media Buying Editor at Digiday, joins the hosts to dive deep into the dynamics of the TV and streaming advertising upfront market. They dissect the troubling Q2 earnings from giants like Meta and Amazon, exploring how this impacts ad revenue. The episode highlights exciting innovations in AI ads and Roku's strategic acquisition of FrndlyTV, reflecting on its potential to reshape streaming. Lastly, they unpack the evolving programmatic advertising landscape and the pressing challenges in achieving diversity within the ad space.