In this episode, I dive deep into why the technology stack behind these networks isn’t just a backend concern—it’s the backbone of your campaign outcomes. From ad server speeds to reporting capabilities and everything in between, we’ll look at why brands and advertisers need to get curious (and even demanding) about the RMNs they partner with.

I’ll share how platforms like Amazon and Walmart dominate with vertically integrated stacks and what that means for the rest of the market. I also explore what retailers’ tech decisions mean for advertisers and offer some essential questions you should ask any RMN partner before signing on. If you’re trying to make smarter ad investments and maximize ROI in the evolving RMN space, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

[0:27] - Key considerations when switching newsletter platforms and what they reveal about user and audience trade-offs

[1:07] - How RMNs have evolved from all-in-one solutions like Criteo to specialized, competitive ecosystems

[2:27] - Why advertisers now face a more complex but more customizable RMN landscape

[3:07] - A preview of 10 questions advertisers should ask RMN partners (see blog for full list!)

[4:01] - Why Amazon and Walmart’s seamless platforms are exceptions—and what to watch for with others

[5:00] - The real cost of slow ad servers and how it kills conversions

[6:00] - Workflow matters: why dashboards, APIs, and real-time data should be non-negotiables

[9:00] - Understanding inventory allocation: how it affects pricing and placement access

Links & Resources:

• Read the full blog post with all 10 essential questions and my RMN ecosystem map
• 💬 Mentioned: Alex Arnett from Dentsu Newstream Media
• 💬 Mentioned: Melanie Babcock from Home Depot