AdTechGod Pod

By AdTechGod, The AdTech GodBusiness Entrepreneurship Marketing Careers

AdTechGod Pod episodes

September 16, 2025Ep.97 Agents, Not People: How AI is Rewriting Ad Operations with Joe Hirsch
Joe Hirsch the CEO of Swivel and former CEO of SpringServe, shares his journey through the ad tech industry, discussing his experiences with affiliate marketing, ad serving, and the evolution of ad operations. He emphasizes the importance of operational efficiency and the role of AI in optimizing ad campaigns, while also addressing the future of AdOps and the integration of technology in the advertising space.
Takeaways
Joe Hirsch has a long history in ad tech, starting from affiliate marketing.

He co-founded multiple companies, including Spring Serve, which was acquired by Magnite.

Swivel aims to automate repetitive tasks in ad operations to improve efficiency.

The ad server business model requires scaling operations without increasing labor costs.

Swivel integrates AI to replicate and scale human decision-making in ad operations.

AI is not meant to replace humans but to augment their capabilities.

The future of AdOps will see agents as primary users of ad platforms.

Precision in ad operations is crucial to avoid costly mistakes.

AdOps professionals should embrace AI technologies to enhance their skills.

The ad tech industry is evolving rapidly, with AI playing a significant role.
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Joe Hirsch and His Journey
04:48Transitioning from Spring Serve to Swivel
10:58Understanding Swivel's Operational Efficiency
16:07The Future of AdOps and AI Integration

The Refresh News: September 15:Google’s AdTech Filing, Magnite’s AI Bet, and YouTube’s NFL Debut

This episode of The Refresh covers three major stories shaping advertising this week: Google’s eyebrow-raising statements in its AdTech antitrust remedies filing, Magnite’s acquisition of creative production platform Streamer AI, and YouTube’s first-ever exclusive NFL broadcast. Host Kate breaks down the implications of each development for advertisers, publishers, and platforms in the evolving digital ecosystem.
Google’s court filing revealed open web display ads purchased through AdWords dropped to 11% in January 2025, down from 40% in 2019, sparking concerns over the open web’s decline.

Google defended itself by attributing ad spend shifts to CTV and retail media, while critics highlighted its dominance in directing referral traffic through AI-driven search changes.

Magnite announced the acquisition of Streamer AI to help small and mid-sized businesses overcome creative production hurdles in connected TV advertising.

The CTV market is expanding rapidly, with Nielsen reporting 75% of TV viewing is ad-supported and eMarketer projecting $33B in CTV ad spend for 2025, though measurement challenges remain.

YouTube’s first free exclusive NFL broadcast drew 17.3M viewers globally, surpassing Amazon’s 2024 averages but raising questions about sustaining viewership once games move behind a paywall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
36 min
September 09, 2025Ep. 96 Inside United Airlines’ Journey with Mike Petrella from Kinective Media
In this conversation, Mike Petrella, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kinective Media by United Airlines, discusses his journey in the advertising and media industry, the establishment of Kinective Media, and its role in transforming traveler commerce. He highlights the importance of partnerships, customer choice, and the use of data and AI to enhance the travel experience. The discussion also covers the unique aspects of the commerce media network and how it engages with affluent travelers.
Takeaways
Mike Petrella has a rich background in media and advertising.Connective

Media is the first traveler media network.

The network aims to enrich traveler journeys through personalized experiences.

Partnerships are crucial for expanding the offerings of Mileage Plus.

Data privacy is a top priority in handling traveler information.

AI is being utilized to enhance customer interactions and experiences.

The average traveler spends significant time engaging with content during their journey.

Kinective Media targets affluent individuals with tailored advertising

The platform offers omnichannel access to travelers across various touchpoints.

Creating a personalized journey is essential for customer loyalty.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kinective Media and Mike Petrella
02:03 Mike's Journey to United Airlines
04:55 Building Kinective Media from Scratch
06:09 Understanding the Commerce Media Network
08:43 Engaging Advertisers and Brands
11:21 Partnerships and Customer Choice
13:56 Loyalty Programs and Consumer Journey
15:10 Utilizing Data for Targeting
18:39 The Role of AI in Enhancing Travel Experience

The Refresh News: September 8:Google’s Antitrust “Win,” Epsilon SSP Backlash, and Perplexity Pauses Ads
This episode of The Refresh breaks down the week’s biggest stories in advertising and tech regulation. Google escaped the harshest remedies in its long-running search antitrust trial, with the court declining to force a Chrome or Android spinoff or ban payments to partners like Apple and Samsung. Meanwhile, media buyers are taking a closer look at Publicis-owned Epsilon SSP, with some blocking it entirely due to transparency concerns. And in the AI space, Perplexity has pulled back on its ad experiments, raising bigger questions about how generative search can—or should—be monetized.
Judge Mehta’s ruling spared Google from structural breakups or bans on partner payments, requiring only limited data sharing and oversight for six years.

Generative AI competition from OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, and Perplexity influenced the court’s belief that search competition is evolving without harsher remedies.

Google maintains dominance with 65–70% of global browser share and around 40% of ad spend coming from paid search.

Media buyers discovered they were funneling spend through Publicis-owned Epsilon SSP via reselling, sparking data leakage and conflict-of-interest concerns.

Perplexity scaled back its ads after advertiser pushback, highlighting the lack of clear value, measurement, and final product structure in AI-driven ad formats.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
September 02, 2025Ep. 95 Podcasting’s Next Wave: Growth, Metrics, and Monetization with Sharon Taylor
In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod speaks with Sharon Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Triton Digital, about podcasting and audio advertising.
They discuss Sharon's journey into the audio space, the growth and trends of podcasting in different regions, and the role of Triton in monetizing podcasts. The conversation also touches on the challenges of attribution and measurement in audio advertising, the importance of understanding podcast metrics, and the cultural shifts driving the appeal of podcasting among younger audiences. Sharon emphasizes the intimate nature of podcasting and its potential for advertisers to engage with a captive audience.

Takeaways
Podcasting is an intimate medium that engages listeners deeply.

The growth of podcasting varies by region, with the US leading.

Canada's podcasting market is growing but is more collaborative than competitive.

The barrier to entry for podcasting is low, allowing diverse voices.

Video is becoming increasingly important in the podcasting space.

Triton Digital supports both large publishers and independent podcasters.

Programmatic advertising in podcasting is still developing.

Attribution and measurement in audio advertising are complex but improving.

Podcasters should provide multiple metrics to advertisers for clarity.

Podcasting offers a calming alternative to the noise of social media.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Audio Space
01:38 Sharon's Journey in Audio
03:39 Podcasting Trends in Different Regions
05:26 The Growth of Podcasting
08:15 Maturity and Future of Podcasting
10:05 Triton's Role in Podcast Monetization
12:03 Evolution of Programmatic Advertising in Podcasting
14:45 Attribution and Measurement in Audio Advertising
17:30 Understanding Podcast Metrics
21:02 Cultural Shifts and Podcasting's Appeal
23:59 The Therapeutic Nature of Podcasting

Pause Ads, AI Browsers, and Programmatic Transparency: This Week in Advertising

The Refresh News: September 2: Pause Ads, AI Browsers, and Programmatic Transparency: This Week in Advertising
In this episode of The Refresh, Kait covers three big developments in advertising and adtech. Magnite is rolling out pause ads programmatically across major streaming providers, Anthropic has launched a cautious pilot of its AI-powered Chrome extension Claude, and the ANA has released its Q2 2025 Programmatic Transparency Benchmark report, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in ad spend efficiency.
5 Key Highlights:
Magnite is enabling programmatic buying of pause ads across platforms like DirecTV, Dish, and Fubo, with access through Clearline and DSPs such as Curve AI, Mountain, and Yahoo.

Pause ads are proving popular with both advertisers and consumers, with studies showing over 50% of viewers take action after seeing one.

Concerns remain that programmatic scale could dilute the contextual creativity that makes pause ads engaging.

Anthropic is piloting a Chrome extension for its Claude AI, focused on browsing assistance while implementing strong safeguards against risks like prompt injection attacks.

The ANA’s Q2 2025 report shows programmatic waste rising to $26.8B, but also notes improvements: private marketplace deals now represent 88% of transactions, CTV programmatic spend has increased, and MFA spending has dropped sharply to 0.8%.

Would you like me to also create a short LinkedIn post version of this recap, optimized for reach and engagement?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35 min
August 26, 2025Ep. 94 First-Party Data, Retail Media, and Resilience with Elizabeth Donovan
In this episode of the AdTechGod pod, Elizabeth Donovan, SVP Global Head of Commerce and Retail Media Networks at Kinesso/Acxiom/IPG , shares her journey into the retail media space, discussing her experiences at Marriott Media Networks and AccuWeather.
She emphasizes the importance of first-party data, the transformation in retail media, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a predominantly male industry. Elizabeth also highlights the significance of work-life balance and her aspirations for the next generation in the advertising industry.
Takeaways
Elizabeth Donovan has a rich background in retail media, having worked at Marriott Media Networks and AccuWeather.

She emphasizes the importance of first-party data in enhancing customer experiences.

Kineso positions itself as a leader in retail and commerce networks, focusing on data-driven strategies.

The retail media landscape is rapidly evolving, with a focus on personalization and customer engagement.

Elizabeth believes in meeting clients where they are in their retail media journey.

She highlights the importance of collaboration and support within the industry, especially for women.

Work-life balance is crucial, and Elizabeth dedicates time to self-care amidst her busy schedule.

She encourages the next generation to pursue their passions, regardless of industry.

Elizabeth's journey reflects the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership roles in ad tech.

The conversation underscores the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced advertising landscape.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Retail Media Expertise
01:08 Elizabeth's Journey into Retail Media
04:44 Kineso's Positioning in the Market
07:07 Transformation in Retail Media
09:52 The Role of First-Party Data
14:02 Challenges and Triumphs as a Woman in Ad Tech
19:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life
22:14 Future Aspirations for the Next Generation
On Today's The Refresh News: Walmart, Google, and the Shifting Ad Market
The Refresh breaks down three of the week’s biggest stories in advertising: Walmart opening up its relationship with The Trade Desk, Google’s use of advanced AI to combat ad fraud, and a recap of Upfront ad commitments that reveal the growing dominance of streaming. The conversation touches on the challenges facing independent DSPs, how advertisers continue to chase performance-driven platforms, and why streaming continues to pull dollars away from broadcast and cable.
5 Key Highlights:
Walmart and The Trade Desk’s partnership, once exclusive, is now open—raising questions about Walmart’s long-term retail media strategy.

The Trade Desk faces pressure from big tech platforms like Amazon and Google, who offer first-party data and vertically integrated capabilities independent DSPs can’t match.

Google has been quietly using multimodal large language models to reduce invalid traffic, achieving a reported 40% drop in mobile ad fraud.

Variety reports that primetime TV ad commitments declined again in 2025, while streaming saw nearly an 18% increase in ad spend.

Advertisers are chasing targeted audiences and programmatic opportunities in streaming, while networks push premium primetime content—including live sports—onto digital platforms.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
August 19, 2025Ep. 93 The Future of Audio is Now with Ari Stein from SiriusXM
In this conversation, Ari Stein, Senior Director of Programmatic Sales at SiriusXM Media, shares insights into the evolution of audio streaming, the growth of podcasting, and the changing landscape of audio advertising.
He discusses his journey in the audio industry, the importance of company culture, and the future of audio in relation to AI. Ari emphasizes the growing demand for audio content and the unique opportunities it presents for marketers.
Takeaways
Ari Stein has been with SiriusXM Media for over 13 years, evolving from an account executive to a senior director.

The audio industry has seen tremendous growth, particularly in podcasting and streaming.

Audio advertising is becoming more recognized for its impact on both upper and lower marketing funnels.

The shift from traditional media buying to digital audio is happening, but at a slower pace than desired.

Smart speakers have significantly contributed to the growth of audio consumption.

Audio provides a unique opportunity for brands to connect with consumers in a personal way.

Company culture plays a crucial role in employee satisfaction and retention.

The demand for audio content continues to grow, presenting opportunities for marketers.

Ari believes in the importance of education in the audio space to drive recognition and investment.

Balancing work and personal life is essential, and Ari finds motivation in his family and team.
Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of Audio Streaming
02:48 Ari's Journey in the Audio Industry
05:19 The Growth of Podcasting and Its Impact
08:07 Understanding Audio Advertising
10:47 The Shift in Media Buying Behavior
13:41 The Power of Audio in Marketing
15:41 The Importance of Company Culture
18:02 The Future of Audio and AI
20:25 Balancing Work and Personal Life

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
August 18, 2025The Refresh News: August 18 Walmart–Trade Desk Shift, Google’s AI Ad Fraud Push, and Upfronts 2025 Numbers
This week’s episode of The Refresh dives into Walmart’s evolving partnership with The Trade Desk, signaling potential changes in retail media alliances. We explore Google’s use of large language models to combat ad fraud, achieving significant reductions in invalid traffic. Finally, we break down Variety’s latest upfronts report, showing a continued decline in primetime TV ad commitments and notable growth in streaming investment.
This week we cover:
Walmart and The Trade Desk’s relationship is moving from exclusive to open, raising questions about Walmart’s retail data strategy and potential in-house platform development.

The Trade Desk faces growing competition from vertically integrated giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, which benefit from owned inventory and rich first-party data.

Google’s traffic quality team, in collaboration with Google Research and DeepMind, deployed large language models to detect and reduce mobile invalid traffic by 40%.Variety reports primetime TV ad commitments fell for the third consecutive year, with broadcast down 2.5% and cable down 4.3%.

Streaming ad commitments surged nearly 18% year over year, driven by advanced targeting, programmatic buying opportunities, and high-value live sports content moving to digital platforms.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 min
August 12, 2025Ep. 92 Publishing, AI, and the Business of Lifestyle Media with Rachael Savage
In this episode, Rachael Savage, Senior Vice President of Ad Revenue Operations at Hearst Magazines, shares her extensive background in the publishing industry, discussing her journey from early experiences in computer camp to her current role overseeing revenue operations for various media brands.

She highlights the transition from traditional news publishing to lifestyle content, the challenges and opportunities in revenue operations across print and digital, and the impact of AI on advertising and content creation. Rachael also reflects on the importance of collaboration, personal happiness, and maintaining a sense of humor in a fast-paced industry.
Takeaways
Rachael's career began unexpectedly at a computer camp in seventh grade.

She transitioned from the New York Times to Hearst, focusing on lifestyle brands.

The shift to mobile has changed how news is consumed and monetized.

Revenue operations are evolving, with a focus on both print and digital.

AI is becoming increasingly important in advertising and content creation.

Collaboration across teams is essential for successful revenue operations.

Rachael emphasizes the need for creativity in engaging audiences.

The upcoming fashion month in September is a critical time for revenue generation.

Maintaining personal happiness is crucial in a demanding industry.

Building a supportive network helps navigate challenges in the ad tech space.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rachael Savage and Her Background
01:02 Career Journey: From Computer Camp to Ad Operations
04:40 Transitioning from News to Lifestyle Publishing
08:51 Revenue Operations: Print vs. Digital
11:08 Opportunities in the Second Half of the Year
18:28 The Role of AI in Advertising and Content Creation23:32Personal Insights: Balancing Work and Happiness

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 min
August 11, 2025The Refresh News: August 11 - ESPN Goes All-In: Disney's NFL Bet, Instagram Imitates, and Meta's Engagement Obsession
In this week’s episode of The Refresh, Kait breaks down one of the biggest sports media deals in years: Disney’s ESPN has struck a landmark agreement with the NFL to take full control of the NFL Network, expand access to RedZone, and launch its long-awaited direct-to-consumer app. The episode also unpacks Instagram’s latest copycat features, Meta’s shifting engagement strategy, and a series of high-impact headlines from across the advertising and tech space, including lawsuits, mergers, and AI transparency battles.
Disney’s Massive NFL Deal: ESPN will gain operational control of the NFL Network and distribution rights to RedZone, while the NFL secures a 10% stake in ESPN, valued between $2.5 and $3 billion.
ESPN's Streaming Leap: The new ESPN standalone app launches August 21 for $29.99/month, offering 47,000+ live events annually, betting features, and personalized content — a key move amid declining cable economics.
Instagram’s TikTok Dupes: Instagram launched a repost tool, Snapmap-style location sharing, and a visibility control feature for Reels, all met with mixed reactions and privacy concerns.
Meta's Monetization Playbook: Zuckerberg emphasizes “engagement” as Meta’s primary revenue driver, while critics say the company’s product strategy feels increasingly erratic and creator-hostile.
Industry Roundup: Omnicom-IPG merger clears another hurdle; OpenX sues Google post-DOJ loss; Cloudflare accuses Perplexity AI of stealth scraping; ChatGPT adds mental health features for user well-being.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 min
August 05, 2025Ep. 91 Protect the Publisher: Walt Dublin on Monetization, AI & Mission-Driven Media
In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTechGod interviews Walt Dublin, Vice President of Enterprise Publisher Development at Raptive.
Walt shares his journey into the ad tech industry, discussing the evolution of publisher partnerships, the impact of AI on content monetization, and the importance of diversity in the tech space. He emphasizes the need to protect publishers and their content while also highlighting innovative changes within the industry. The conversation concludes with Walt expressing his passion for education and mentorship.

Takeaways
Walt Dublin's journey into ad tech began 14 years ago.

He became the top salesperson at his first company within six months.

The landscape for publishers has changed significantly over the years.

Publishers now conduct more due diligence before partnerships.

Raptive focuses on helping mid-tier publishers monetize effectively.

AI and crawlers pose challenges for content creators.

Diversity in tech leads to better problem-solving and innovation.

Raptive advocates for the protection of journalists and their content.

Publishers are innovating to enhance user experience and revenue.

Walt is passionate about education and mentoring young people.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to AdTech and Walt Dublin
02:27 Walt's Journey in AdTech
05:20 The Evolution of Publisher Partnerships
08:36 Protecting Publishers in the Age of AI
11:25 Innovations and Changes in Publishing
14:21 Diversity in AdTech and Its Importance
20:59 Passions Beyond AdTech

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
August 04, 2025The Refresh News: August 4 - Measurement Missteps, Streaming Shakeups, and Meta’s Ad Machine Keeps Roaring
In this week’s episode of The Refresh from Marketecture, host Kait unpacks three major developments across measurement, streaming, and advertising. Nielsen is facing renewed industry skepticism as data irregularities emerge in its TV measurement tools. Meanwhile, the future of cable TV may hinge on how live sports migrate to streaming, with ESPN’s direct-to-consumer plans threatening traditional models. Lastly, Meta delivers a strong Q2 earnings report, signaling that its investment in AI is paying off—especially for its ad business.

5 Key Highlights:
Nielsen Faces Backlash Over Data Discrepancies: Nielsen’s panel-plus-big-data TV measurement product is under fire due to inconsistencies in key demographic groups, like adults 25–54. The issues stem from its machine-learning model HDAM, which is used to assign household demographics.

Industry Pushes for Multi-Currency Measurement: Growing distrust in Nielsen’s accuracy has reignited interest in alternative providers like iSpot, VideoAmp, and ComScore, especially as advertisers demand more reliable and accredited audience insights.

ESPN Streaming Could Reshape Cable's Last Stronghold: ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service will bring its marquee live sports content online, accelerating cord-cutting trends and further weakening cable’s grip on viewers.

Cable TV Tries to Rebrand Through Sports Bundles: Providers like DirecTV are pivoting with sports aggregation bundles to compete with streaming. However, whether that’s enough to woo non-sports viewers back remains questionable.

Meta Crushes Earnings with Ad Growth and AI Investment: Meta reported 22% revenue growth in Q2, with ad revenue reaching $46.5 billion. The company is leaning heavily into AI tools for advertisers and remains committed to evolving its ad ecosystem through advanced tech.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8 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.