AdTechGod Pod

In this engaging conversation, Brad Thompson, Director of Business Development at MediaGo Global, shares his journey from agency life to innovating for SMBs. He highlights how performance DSPs help these businesses transition from walled gardens to open web programmatic. Brad emphasizes the importance of simplifying programmatic advertising for growth and contrasts his social media strategies between LinkedIn and X. Looking ahead to 2026, he foresees AI reshaping ad operations, while strong human relationships remain crucial in navigating challenges.

Tal Shaked, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Rise, brings a wealth of ad tech experience and insights. He shares his unconventional journey from toolbar monetization to founding Rise, focusing on optimizing web auctions through Smart Auction Management. Tal discusses how AI-driven search is reshaping publisher traffic, driving the need for adaptability. He emphasizes the importance of traffic shaping and dynamic pricing for revenue gains and explores the future of agentic advertising, highlighting the blend of automation and human relationships.

Priti Ohri, Co-founder and CEO of Advertible, shares her journey from MTV Networks to launching a native ad platform. She discusses turning a layoff into an innovative venture, emphasizing how Advertible enhances user experience through streamlined native ad delivery. Priti also explores the importance of community support and representation, highlighting her initiative, They See Us, to empower South Asian founders. Her insights into the future of ad tech include the transformative potential of agentic AI, poised to reshape programmatic systems.

Michael Berkowitz, a veteran in ad tech with roots in journalism, dives into the industry's evolution. He shares insights on how European ad tech is leading innovation and discusses the challenges publishers face, including risk aversion and complex decision-making. Michael critiques the overhype surrounding AI, emphasizing the need for practical solutions. He introduces Ad Aid, a concept aimed at enhancing user experience while supporting charities. Tune in for a refreshing take on the future of ad tech and the importance of genuine innovation.

Chance Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer at Nexxen, brings nearly 20 years of ad tech experience to the discussion. He dives into how Nexxen fosters trust and transparency in advertising, bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. The conversation highlights the importance of interoperable tools for smarter decision-making and the evolving role of SSPs beyond mere resellers. Chance also tackles the challenges of in-housing ad tech and underscores the value of white-glove client service in delivering exceptional support.

Erez Levin, an ad tech advisor and former Google programmatic lead, shares insights drawn from his impressive 13-year journey at Google. He tackles the complexities of defining quality in marketing, emphasizing that it's a spectrum, not binary. Erez argues that marketers must challenge the status quo and demand effectiveness for their spending. He believes the long tail of publishers risks commoditization, while unique, high-quality media will become more valuable. Trust your instincts and advocate for smarter quality controls in advertising.

David Danziger, SVP of Partnerships at Dstillery, brings a wealth of ad tech experience from companies like LiveRamp and The Trade Desk. He dives into the transformative effects of AI and machine learning on audience targeting, emphasizing the ongoing importance of human relationships in client interactions. David highlights that while technology refines audience segmentation, human oversight is still crucial to avoid errors. He shares his passion for continuous learning in the dynamic advertising landscape and the necessity of blending technology with a personal touch.

Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish with over 11 years at the company, dives into her journey and the evolving marketing landscape. She emphasizes the human element in an AI-driven world and the need for personalized strategies that resonate, especially with younger generations. Dani highlights the differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, stressing how brands risk missing the latter. The conversation also explores authenticity amidst technological change and the importance of mentorship in career growth. Expect insights on balancing innovation with genuine consumer engagement.

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod speaks with Brittany Scott, VP of Brand Partnerships at Zefr. Brittany shares her unique journey from working at major brands like Kellogg and SC Johnson to transitioning into the ad tech space at Meta and now Zefr. The conversation delves into the importance of brand safety and suitability in advertising, the impact of legacy brands on current strategies, and the challenges of navigating brand reputation in a digital landscape. Brittany also discusses the cultural shifts she experienced moving from brand to ad tech, and her excitement about the future of AI in advertising. Takeaways Brittany's journey into advertising was unplanned but rewarding. Working at legacy brands shaped Brittany's understanding of brand safety. Brand safety is crucial for maintaining brand reputation. Crisis management is a key aspect of brand partnerships. Cultural differences exist between brand and ad tech environments. AI presents both challenges and opportunities for advertising. Brands need to adapt their strategies to the evolving digital landscape. Building strong partnerships is essential for success in ad tech. Understanding regulatory components is vital for brand safety. Innovation and speed are critical in the ad tech industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brittany Scott and Zefr 01:23 Brittany's Journey in Advertising 05:48 Understanding Brand Safety and Zefr Role 08:29 The Importance of Brand Legacy 11:25 Navigating Brand Reputation in Crisis 14:58 Cultural Shifts from Brand to Ad Tech 22:29 The Future of AI in Advertising AdTech’s New Frontier: OpenAds, AdCP, and the Streaming Power Duo This week’s episode of The Refresh dives into three major developments reshaping the advertising landscape. The Trade Desk takes center stage with its new OpenAds and PubDesk tools, aiming to clean up the programmatic supply chain while stirring industry debate. Meanwhile, the debut of Ad Context Protocol (AdCP) marks a potential turning point for agentic AI in digital media, proposing a standardized framework for AI-driven ad transactions. Finally, Netflix and Spotify join forces to expand video podcast distribution, signaling a shift in how audiences consume and advertisers monetize cross-platform content. 5 Key Highlights: The Trade Desk’s OpenAds and PubDesk Launch: Introduced at the Prebid Summit, these tools aim to bring transparency and auditability to programmatic auctions. OpenAds introduces auction verification features, while PubDesk provides publishers with detailed auction and market insights. Industry Controversy Around OpenAds: Critics argue that The Trade Desk’s approach to transaction IDs and auction control gives it too much influence over publishers, echoing antitrust concerns seen in other major adtech cases. Introduction of Ad Context Protocol (AdCP): Spearheaded by Brian O’Kelley and built on Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, AdCP standardizes communication between AI agents in advertising, with backing from PubMatic, Yahoo, and Scope3. Promise and Challenges of Agentic AI: Supporters see AdCP as the next OpenRTB, enabling seamless AI-to-AI media transactions, while skeptics question its ability to overcome adoption barriers and address critical issues like fraud prevention and payments. Netflix and Spotify’s Video Podcast Partnership: Starting next year, Spotify’s video podcasts will stream on Netflix, enhancing reach for creators and advertisers while positioning Netflix as a new competitor in the video podcast space alongside YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging chat, Amy Lanzi, CEO of Digitas North America, discusses her leap from finance to advertising leadership. She highlights the evolution of client needs, emphasizing a shift toward media investment over creativity. Amy explores the transformative role of AI and synthetic audiences in marketing strategies. She advocates for female leadership, encouraging women to embrace their strengths and support one another. Additionally, she explains how creators act as brand concierges, essential for fostering authentic consumer connections.