AdTechGod Pod

Obele Brown-West, President at Colle McVoy, on creative implications of AI and upskilling talent. Bob Lord, President at Horizon Media, on platform strategies and legacy tech hurdles. They debate open ecosystems, legal and transparency risks, and how AI is reuniting creative and media. Fast change, big confusion, and a push toward new operating models.

Katie Daleo, General Manager of CPG Ads at DoorDash, who built retail media capabilities across CPG and marketplaces. She discusses dish-level targeting that reaches diners by ordered meals. She covers closed-loop measurement tying ads to purchases. She explores off-site audience activation and how AI and data reshape retail media and simplification needs for advertisers.

Recorded live at the Marketecture Live Conference in New York City, this episode brings together Cosette Chaput, CEO & Co-Founder, Always Alpha; Allyson Felix, Co-Founder, Always Alpha; Wes Felix, Co-Founder, Always Alpha; and Zoe Ruderman, Chief Content Officer, ADWEEK, to unpack how female athletes are reshaping brand strategy, storytelling, and ROI. From breaking outdated sports marketing models to building authentic athlete-driven campaigns, this conversation dives into why brands need to rethink their approach now, before the window closes ahead of LA28. Takeaways Women’s sports is a high-growth business, not a trend, delivering strong and compounding ROI. Traditional sports marketing models were built for men and do not translate effectively to female audiences. Brands miss the mark by targeting male audiences instead of engaging female consumers authentically. Female athletes outperform influencers in engagement and trust despite having smaller followings. The biggest opportunity lies in storytelling. Female athletes bring relatable, real-life narratives that drive deeper connection. Waiting until major events like the Olympics is too late. Effective campaigns require long-term buildup. Investment in women’s sports is currently top-heavy, creating sustainability risks if the broader ecosystem is not developed. Brands that win collaborate with athletes as partners, not just endorsers. Categories like beauty are leading the way, while sectors like finance and automotive still lag behind. The window of opportunity is open but closing fast as competition and valuations rise. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the session and why women’s sports matter now 00:56 The origin story of Always Alpha 02:43 The problem with one-size-fits-all athlete representation 03:18 Why women’s sports is still misunderstood as a trend 04:40 Why traditional sports marketing does not work for women 05:32 Looking ahead to LA28 and the future of brand investment 06:19 The risk of a women’s sports bubble 08:15 What brands should be doing differently by LA28 09:08 The power of 360 storytelling in women’s sports 10:15 Authenticity and relatability as marketing advantages 11:23 What brands are getting wrong today 12:39 Why storytelling beats templated campaigns 14:05 Female athletes vs influencers, engagement and impact 15:19 ROI in women’s sports and brand trust 16:07 The education gap with brands entering sports 16:59 Why brands need to act now 17:26 Categories leading the way (beauty, retail) 18:17 Opportunities in underrepresented industries 19:00 How Always Alpha defines success today 20:17 What is driving optimism for the future 23:05 Closing remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren Douglass, founder of Reverve, joins AdTechGod to unpack what modern B2B marketing actually needs to look like now. From her journey through Citibank, Teads, and Channel Factory to building a consultancy that stitches PR, social, and content into one strategy, Lauren shares why authenticity and point of view beat polished jargon every time. They dive into the real grind of content creation, how personal brands will drive B2B growth into 2026, and where AI helps without replacing the human connection that makes marketing work. Takeaways Lauren Douglass has a rich marketing background, having worked with major companies like Citibank and Channel Factory. Reverve was founded to simplify and enhance B2B marketing strategies, focusing on integration across channels. Content creation is more challenging than many realize, requiring organization and planning. The future of marketing will heavily rely on personal branding and authentic storytelling. Brands that embrace personality and authenticity will stand out in the competitive landscape. AI will play a significant role in content creation, but human connection remains vital. Consistency in content creation is key, even when results are not immediately visible. Embarrassment and vulnerability are part of the journey in building a personal brand. Companies should encourage their employees to share their unique stories and perspectives. The marketing landscape is shifting towards more human-centric approaches, moving away from corporate jargon. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lauren Douglass and Her Journey 02:58 The Evolution of Marketing in B2B 05:38 Content Creation Challenges and Predictions for 2026 08:22 Finding Balance in Content Quality and Frequency 11:17 The Importance of Personal Branding 13:57 Navigating the Future of Advertising 16:46 Embracing Authenticity in Marketing 19:39 The Core of Effective Marketing 22:27 AI's Impact on Content Creation 24:03 The Passion Behind Marketing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linsey Loy, Head of Strategic Development and Executive Engagement at Publicis Groupe, brings agency and media leadership with a people-first focus. She discusses changing pitch processes and elevating young talent. She explains why unified measurement is critical for CMOs, stresses data privacy as non-negotiable, and links trust and humane leadership to long-term client relationships.

Alyssa Furth, Senior Manager at Credera who builds bridges between marketing and IT, discusses aligning MarTech and AdTech. She talks about translating complex systems, tackling data integration and customer journey gaps. Alyssa also reflects on career pivots, learning through consulting, and the importance of confidence and community for women in tech.

Mike Zeman, Life360 CMO with 25 years at Netflix, Google and more, talks customer-first marketing and building a family super app. He explores balancing trust with advertising and using opt-in location data for real-world relevance. Trends like brand storytelling, AI’s role in marketing, and the power of mentorship and networking are highlighted.

Kristina Shepard, EVP of Streaming and Performance Sales and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, brings streaming strategy and monetization chops from Roku and Opera MediaWorks. She discusses streaming’s shift from incremental reach to a performance engine. Topics include the power of live sports and cultural moments, ad-supported monetization scaling faster than subscriptions, and the future of automation, personalization, and interactivity in streaming.

Marilois Snowman, founder and CEO of Mediastruction who builds measurement and media solutions for mid-market brands. She discusses mid-market measurement gaps and media mix modeling. She explores the balance of CTV and linear TV. She covers AI in marketing analytics and shifting consumer discovery that affects SEO and web traffic.

Ying Wang, General Manager at Xumo and ad tech leader with roots at Freewheel and Comcast Advertising, reflects on streaming monetization and platform strategy. She explores the rising power of live sports for engagement and new revenue. She discusses Xumo’s OS-style approach and how AI is shaping personalization and ad operations.