AdTechGod Pod

By AdTechGod, The AdTech GodBusiness Entrepreneurship Marketing Careers

AdTechGod Pod episodes

January 13Ep. 116 Leadership Insights with Julie Van Ullen, President and CRO at iSpot
Join us on the AdTechGod Pod as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Julie Van Ullen, President and CRO at iSpot. Discover her journey through leadership roles at IAB, OpenX, Freewheel, Rakuten Advertising, and Rakuten Rewards. Julie shares her insights on maintaining authenticity, the importance of mentorship, and navigating the evolving landscape of digital advertising. Tune in to learn from her experiences and gain valuable advice for aspiring leaders.

Takeaways
Julie's career has been fueled by authenticity and mentorship.

Trust is essential in leadership and team dynamics.

Change is a constant in the tech industry, requiring adaptability.

Measurement in advertising must evolve to keep pace with consumer behavior.

The future of advertising is promising, with a focus on data-driven insights.

Women in tech face unique challenges but can overcome them with support.

Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional development.

Authenticity in leadership fosters a positive work environment.

The advertising industry is ripe for innovation and change.

Building trust with teams leads to better outcomes.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Julie Van Ullen
01:04 Julie’s Career Journey and Mentorship
04:01 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership
08:38 Transitioning from Traditional to Connected Television
11:37 The Role of Measurement in Advertising
14:05 Positive Outlook for the Future of Advertising
15:33 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Ad Tech
19:55 The Power of Mentorship and Support

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25 min
January 06Ep. 115 Al Kallel, Founder and CEO of Nativeads.AI, on the Future of Native Advertising in the AI Era
In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Al Kallel, founder and CEO of Nativeads.AI, shares insights from his extensive experience in the advertising technology space. The conversation explores the evolution of consumer experiences in advertising, the transformative role of AI, and the importance of personalization and data collaboration. Al discusses the challenges of maintaining quality in AI-generated content and navigating privacy changes in the advertising landscape. He also highlights future trends in advertising and the potential of agentic commerce.

Takeaways
Al Kallel has over 20 years of experience in advertising technology.

The consumer experience in advertising has shifted significantly with the rise of mobile and streaming.

AI presents opportunities for creating native advertising experiences without compromising brand integrity.

Quality control is crucial when using AI for content generation.

Personalization in advertising requires deep collaboration between brands and publishers.

The advertising landscape is evolving with increasing privacy concerns and the decline of cookies.

Future advertising strategies must embrace agentic experiences to engage consumers effectively.

AI can help scale personalized advertising solutions for better engagement.

The shift to agentic commerce will vary across different product categories.

2026 and 2027 will see rapid advancements in advertising technology and consumer behavior.

Chapter
00:00 Introduction to Ad Tech and Al Kallel’s Background
02:32 Evolution of Consumer Experiences in Advertising
05:13 The Role of AI in Advertising
07:45 Quality Control in AI-Generated Content
10:10 Personalization and Data Collaboration in Advertising
12:53 Navigating Privacy Changes in Advertising
15:31 Future Trends in Advertising and Consumer Behavior
17:42 Agentic Commerce and Its Viability

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22 min
December 30, 2025Ep. 114 Anthony Katsur CEO IAB Tech Lab on Agentic AI Hype Privacy and the Future of Ad Tech
AdTechGod and Anthony Katsur discuss the evolving landscape of the advertising industry, particularly focusing on the concept of Agentic AI. They explore the current hype surrounding Agentic AI, its potential impact on digital media buying and selling, and the challenges related to privacy and measurement. The discussion also touches on the future of ad operations, the implications of AI browsers, and the strategic planning necessary for navigating these changes. Katsur emphasizes the need for foundational work in the industry while acknowledging the innovative potential of Agentic AI.

Takeaways
The advertising industry is experiencing unprecedented changes, particularly with the rise of Agentic AI.

Agentic AI has the potential to introduce efficiencies in digital media trading, but it's still in early stages.

There's significant hype around Agentic AI, but tangible results are yet to be seen.

Privacy challenges remain a critical concern as AI technologies evolve.

The future of ad operations will likely see a slowdown in hiring due to the automation capabilities of AI.

AI browsers may change how content is presented and consumed online.

Strategic planning is essential for navigating the evolving landscape of advertising technology.

The industry must focus on foundational issues like supply chain transparency and measurement challenges.

Agentic AI may not replace existing protocols, but can enhance them.

The future of AI in advertising will involve a mix of successes and failures as the technology matures.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Agentic Era
02:14 Understanding Agentic AI in Digital Media
05:57 The Hype Cycle of Agentic AI
08:51 Challenges in Privacy and Measurement
10:47 The Future of Ad Operations
12:02 The Concept of Agentic Interfaces
14:39 Impact on Hiring and Talent Dynamics
19:04 AI Browsers and Their Implications
22:04 Strategic Planning and Industry Trends
24:51 The Future of Agentic AI and Potential Failures

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27 min
December 23, 2025Ep. 113 Mediaocean, LG Ads, and Jackwell Partners on AI Hype and AdTech Trends for 2026
In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, guests Aaron Goldman (Mediaocean), Tony Marlow (LG Ads), and Jackelyn Keller (Jackwell Partners) reflect on the past year in advertising, the impact of AI, and the trends shaping the future. The conversation covers everything from weird meetings in 2025 to the overhyped nature of AI and retail media. The guests share insights on the importance of understanding data, the challenges of attribution, and the need for creativity in marketing. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire round of questions, revealing personal opinions and humorous takes on the industry.

Takeaways
AI has significantly influenced all industries, not just advertising.

Naming and branding can lead to intense discussions in meetings.

AI-powered solutions are often overhyped in the industry.

Retail media networks may struggle to survive without scale.

Attribution methods in advertising are complex and often debated.

Predictions in the industry can be unnecessary and overdone.

Creative optimization is essential for effective marketing campaigns.

Understanding data is crucial for marketers to make informed decisions.

The future of advertising may involve more interactive and engaging ad formats.

The importance of chilling out about industry drama and focusing on collaboration.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome and ugly sweaters
03:40 50 Cent and NewFront prep
06:20 AI hype vs reality
08:45 Curation and other buzzwords
12:10 AdCP and why it is hard
14:30 Creative optimization A/B to A-Z
17:45 Ads inside AI chat experiences
18:45 Regifting trends, retail media, and clean rooms
22:10 Agentic commerce debate
25:40 What the industry should chill about
29:30 Rapid-fire questions
36:00 Wrap-up and holiday sign-off

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39 min
December 16, 2025Ep. 112 Programmatic Partnerships with Purpose: Andrew Cassin on Growth & Empathy Ad Tech Future
Andrew Cassin, Senior Director of Programmatic Partnerships at Cadent, joins AdTechGod to discuss what strong programmatic partnerships look like today, how the industry has moved beyond a “set it and forget it” mindset, the importance of building clean supply paths, and how to stay human as the industry continues to evolve.

Takeaways
Partnerships now require active, outcome-driven deal design.

“Set it and forget it” is gone, optimization and communication matter.

Buyers expect cleaner supply paths and real transparency.

Cadent’s ViewPlanner supports planning across linear, CTV, OLV, and YouTube.

Brands and agencies lean on partners to navigate privacy, brand safety, and AI shifts.

Career growth came from staying curious and learning by doing across roles.

Hard moments reshaped Andrew’s leadership style toward empathy and authenticity.

Chapters
00:05 Andrew’s background and getting into programmatic early
01:13 Career path from Forbes to Rubicon, JWP Connatix, Equativ, and Cadent
05:37 What’s stayed constant through industry change
07:16 How brands and agencies rely on partners amid privacy, brand safety, and AI shifts
08:08 Cadent’s ViewPlanner acquisition and why YouTube matters
09:24 Why partnerships moved past “set it and forget it” deals
10:46 Clean supply, transparency, and standards expectations
12:33 How cancer changed Andrew’s perspective on relationships and work
18:08 Advice for newcomers: resources, mentors, and using LinkedIn well
21:07 What Andrew is excited about heading into 2026
24:12 Closing and holiday sendoff

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28 min
December 09, 2025Ep. 111 From Walled Gardens to the Open Web: Brad Thompson on the DSP Shift Powering SMB Growth
Brad Thompson from MediaGo, a Baidu Company, joins AdTechGod on the AdTechGod Podcast to break down how SMB advertisers are using performance DSPs as a bridge from walled gardens into open web programmatic. Brad shares his path from agency work to platforms like AOL and MediaMath, why simplifying programmatic is essential for growth, how he uses LinkedIn and X differently to build partnerships, and what 2026 may look like as AI reshapes ad ops and optimization. The episode closes with Brad’s view that AdCP can steer the industry back toward strong messaging and smart media choices, not just data-driven outcomes.
Takeaways
SMB marketers know Amazon, Meta, and TikTok well, but many need a simpler on-ramp to open web programmatic, creating a clear role for performance DSPs.

AI will most improve optimization and creative workflows, while ad ops shifts through fewer manual tasks and slower net new hiring.

LinkedIn works best for personal marketing and steady industry updates, while X is better for real-time discussion and learning.

Strong relationships are still the edge in sales and BD because people handle the messy moments that tech cannot.

AdCP is a major 2026 opportunity that can refocus digital advertising on message and media quality.

Chapters
00:00 Brad’s background and why he chose ad tech.
03:55 How MediaGo brings SMBs from walled gardens into programmatic.
05:00 Social selling in practice, LinkedIn versus X.
12:15 2026 outlook, AI reality versus hype, and job impact.
20:40 Why AdCP could be the biggest growth lever next year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
31 min
December 02, 2025Ep. 110 From Spin off to Smart Auctions: Tal Shaked on Building Rise and the Future of Agentic Ad Tech
Tal Shaked, Chief Business Officer and co-founder of Rise, joins AdTechGod to trace his unconventional path into ad tech, from early toolbar monetization to driving alternative revenue at Babylon and later helping grow IronSource through strategic acquisitions. He explains how Rise emerged as a necessary spin out ahead of IronSource’s IPO, why the team first focused on web video and display, and how their Smart Auction Management platform uses machine learning to optimize pricing and supply paths at massive scale. Tal also shares what AI driven search shifts mean for publishers, why traffic shaping is becoming a core differentiator, and where agentic advertising could take creative, buying, and ops workflows in 2026.

Takeaways
Rise spun out of IronSource, and starting on the web turned into an advantage.

SAM and traffic shaping are the core levers for auction and revenue lift.

AI search is cutting web traffic, forcing publishers to adapt fast.

Mobile monetization looks steadier, with upside in performance and commerce.

Agentic ads will automate busywork while keeping relationships central.

Chapters
00:00 Rise split from IronSource and made web first work.
19:10 SAM plus traffic shaping drive gains.
22:50 AI search is shrinking web traffic.
26:10 Mobile revenue is more stable.
31:00 Agentic ads automate tasks, relationships still win.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min
November 25, 2025Ep. 109 Building Advertible: Priti Ohri on Reinventing Native Ads and Leading with Purpose
AdTechGod speaks with Priti Ohri, Co-Founder and CEO of Advertible, about how she turned a layoff into a launchpad for innovation. From her early days at MTV Networks and LVMH to founding a company reshaping native advertising, Priti shares how Advertible simplifies native ad delivery for SSPs while improving user experience across formats and devices.

They discuss the challenges of building infrastructure in ad tech, the importance of community and representation, and how the industry’s next big transformation might come from agentic AI and automation.

Takeaways
Advertible streamlines native ad delivery with a plug-in solution for SSPs.

Priti’s path from luxury brands to ad tech highlights the power of data-driven creativity.

The startup journey demands resilience, community, and constant iteration.

Representation and visibility fuel empowerment across underrepresented founders.

Agentic AI could redefine how programmatic systems communicate and scale.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Priti’s Career Journey
02:00 From Viacom to Programmatic: Following the Data
05:00 Why Native Ads Still Matte
07:00 Building Advertible After Ericsson
09:00 Startup Challenges and Finding Product-Market Fit
12:00 The Role of Community and Support Systems
15:00 Female Founders and South Asian Representation
19:00 Agentic AI and the Future of Ad Tech
22:00 Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders

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25 min
November 19, 2025Ep. 108 Michael Berkowitz on the Evolution of Ad Tech, AI Hype, and Empowering Publishers
Michael Berkowitz, a longtime ad tech veteran with experience at Spiny, BERT, Lotomy, and MediaMath, joins AdTechGod to share his journey from journalism to ad tech leadership. He reflects on the industry’s transformation, the growing sophistication of publishers, and how innovation has shifted from the U.S. to Europe. Michael discusses the risks publishers face in adopting new technology, the overuse of AI in marketing, and his belief that meaningful solutions, not buzzwords, will drive the next phase of growth. He also introduces Ad Aid, his concept for a more purposeful ad experience that benefits users and supports charitable causes.

Takeaways
Michael’s unique path from journalism and PR to ad tech has given him a deep perspective on media and technology convergence.

Many European ad tech companies are now innovating beyond their U.S. counterparts.

Publishers face challenges in adopting new tech due to risk aversion and complex decision-making structures.

AI’s current role in ad tech is largely overhyped; its true impact is still years away.

The sell side remains essential to the ad tech ecosystem and deserves continued support.

Ad Aid aims to create a more positive user experience by tying ad engagement to charitable contributions.

Social media fatigue is helping publishers regain audience attention and rebuild trust.

Experience in the industry remains valuable, even as age bias persists in hiring.

The future of ad tech depends on balancing innovation with authenticity and audience respect.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Michael Berkowitz 01:00 From Journalism to Ad Tech
03:30 Early Days at MediaMath and BERT
05:40 Identifying Promising Tech and Market Fit
08:13 Challenges Facing Publishers
11:20 Trust, Credibility, and the State of Local News
12:19 The Reality of AI in Ad Tech
16:30 The Problem with Buzzword Marketing
18:28 Optimism for the Sell Side
21:17 Experience and Longevity in the Industry
23:45 The Ad Aid Concept
27:47 Making Ads Meaningful for Users
30:27 Closing Thoughts and Hope for the Future

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32 min
November 18, 2025Ep. 107 Inside Nexxen: Chance Johnson on Building a Smarter, More Transparent DSP
In this episode, Chance Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer at Nexxen, joins AdTechGod to discuss how the company is reshaping the advertising landscape through trust, transparency, and innovation. From bridging the gap between buyers and sellers to empowering advertisers with interoperable tools, Chance shares insights on how Nexxen is helping redefine efficiency and collaboration in the ad tech industry.
Takeaways
Building trust and transparency is essential to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers in ad tech.

Nexxen’s interoperable platform enables collaboration and shared success across the ecosystem.

Clear insights and data-driven tools empower smarter, outcome-based decision-making.

In-housing ad tech provides control but brings high operational and financial demands.

White-glove client service sets Nexxen apart in delivering responsive, hands-on support.

SSPs play a vital strategic role beyond the “reseller” label in driving publisher value.

The outcomes era signals a smarter, more transparent, performance-focused industry.
Chapters
00:00 Chance Johnson joins the AdTechGod Pod and shares his journey to Nexxen.
03:30 Building trust and transparency between buyers and sellers.
06:40 How Nexxen empowers advertisers with interoperable tools.
09:00 Discussing the evolution of the web and convergence in ad tech.
11:30 Adapting to rapid change and leveraging new technology.
14:45 The pros and cons of brands in-housing their ad tech.
17:00 Nexxen’s white-glove service and client success approach.
19:15 The Trade Desk’s “reseller” label and its market impact.
23:10 The rise of outcome-based advertising and smarter KPIs.
24:40 Closing reflections on innovation and the future of ad tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min

About AdTechGod Pod

From the publisher's feed

A Podcast For The People About The People. The AdTechGod ® Pod celebrates the Minds Behind Adtech and offers an engaging platform where listeners can discover the stories and insights of the individuals driving the advertising technology industry. This podcast shines a spotlight on the creative and innovative minds that make adtech great, providing a unique perspective on the people behind the technology that shapes our digital advertising experiences. All guests appearing on the adtech god podcast are invited participants; they do not provide compensation to AdTechGod for their appearance. The podcast's funding is provided through preroll and midroll advertisements, which are sponsored by various companies. If you are interested in being a guest or advertising on the AdTechGod Pod (The Adtech God Podcast) please visit https://www.adtechgod.com/adtechgod-pod.