In this episode, I dive into some fresh insights straight from the Cannes Festival of Creativity, where I caught a fascinating research presentation at the Mirakl Cabana. Partnering with Forrester, Mirakl unveiled a report titled “Are You Sitting on a Retail Media Goldmine?”—and let me tell you, the findings are eye-opening. From cultural shifts in retail to tapping into the overlooked mid- and long-tail advertisers, we cover the evolving retail media landscape and what it really means for brands and marketplaces.

I also touch on my participation in the inaugural “celebrity death match” debate alongside Colin Lewis and Andrew Lipman—a spicy and engaging alternative to the usual panel talk. If you’re looking to understand where retail media dollars are headed and how retailers can unlock new growth, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

⏱️ Episode Timeline

[0:05] - Behind the scenes at Cannes: from Miracle’s Cabana to the celebrity debate showdown

[1:11] - Introducing Forrester and Miracle’s joint research on retail media opportunities

[1:32] - Nikhil Lai explains where retail media funding is currently coming from

[2:18] - The challenge for retailers: moving beyond existing trade budgets

[3:00] - Why small advertisers and marketplaces are a goldmine for growth

[3:36] - Cultural and technical barriers that prevent tapping into mid- and long-tail advertisers

[5:00] - What retailers need: better tech, easier onboarding, and proving retail media value

[6:00] - Final takeaway: marketplaces are the key to unlocking long-tail advertiser potential