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

I just landed in Cannes, and wow—talk about a tale of two coastlines! On one side, CMOs and creatives are tucked away in the Palais soaking up award glamour, while out on the Croisette the retail-media crowd is wheeling and dealing under beach umbrellas. That split sets the stage for a whirlwind first day where Amazon steals the creative spotlight, non-retail heavyweights crash the commerce-media party, and industry insiders debate whether trade budgets can keep up with retail media’s rocket-fuel growth. I even squeeze in a quick tease of my latest Forbes deep-dive on the DSP tug-of-war reshaping programmatic commerce.  

Stick around—by the end of this confessional you’ll have fresh intel on everything from Marriott’s flashy boardwalk activation to the “publishing apocalypse” one founder says is barreling straight for commerce media. Let’s dive in!

Timeline Highlights

• [0:00]—Touchdown at Cannes & a candid curb-side chat with Lauren Leach and Colin Lewis about the Croisette-vs-Palais “church-and-state” divide.
• [1:41]—Amazon CEO Andy Jassy crowned Cannes Lions Media Person of the Year—and why that’s a watershed moment for retail-driven creativity.
• [3:00]—Marriott, Chase, United Airlines & more non-retail giants unveil luxe beach clubs to showcase their brand-new commerce-media networks.
• [4:39]—MikMak’s Rachel Tipograph warns a “publishing-style apocalypse” could soon hit commerce media—brace yourselves!
• [6:20]—Purdue’s Jodie Hallman calls retail media “way more effective” than legacy trade spend—sparking a lively budget debate.
• [7:43]—Albertsons’ Ben Richardson explains how tighter merchant-media alignment helps smaller retailers punch above their weight.
• [9:00]—I preview my Forbes article on why 96 % of buyers would shift dollars tomorrow if retailers opened up more DSP pipes.

Links & Resources

• “Why DSP Choice Is the Next Retail Media Battleground” – my full article on programmatic readiness for Forbes
• Cannes names Andy Jassy media person of the year
• Stratacache & Albertsons: New in-store retail-media partnership
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn

After five months and over a hundred episodes, I take a moment to reflect on what this journey with the Retail Media Breakfast Club has taught me so far—and wow, it’s been a ride. In this episode, I share five key lessons from launching and sustaining this daily(ish) content experiment, and walk through the most popular (and surprising) episodes to date.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or just tuning in, this one’s a behind-the-scenes look at the wins, the pivots, and even a few honest flops. Plus, I make a special announcement about what’s coming next.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Launching the podcast and newsletter: why I started and who it’s for

[1:32] - Real talk: battling impostor syndrome and leaning into accessibility

[2:47] - The top three most downloaded episodes (and why they hit home)

[6:31] - Five big takeaways: from LinkedIn hacks to the power of podcast intimacy to video experiemnts

[11:00] - Podcast Announcement - what’s ahead

[12:14] - A heartfelt thank you—and a call for your ideas 

The top-downloaded content from Retail Media Breakfast Club so far this year:

1. Is retail media actually kinda "mid"?
2. Retailers Are Learning to Sell—But This Time, It’s Media, Not Products (Part 1/3)
3. How retailers 'Do' Sponsored Product ads: 4 takeaways for brands

Subscribe

• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn

f you’ve noticed fewer Google searches and more ChatGPT queries lately, you’re not imagining things—AI is changing how we shop. In this episode, I share my top takeaways from the new Retailgentic podcast and newsletter by Scot Wingo. From the rapid emergence of AI agents in commerce to the existential questions facing retailers, this episode is packed with game-changing insights you won’t want to miss.

We explore why it’s not too early to lean into agentic AI, how new checkout and payment rails could disrupt traditional e-commerce, and what it means for retail media networks when human traffic gets replaced by bots. Plus, I reflect on what the future might hold for retail websites—are they becoming obsolete, or evolving into something more powerful? Tune in as I break down what’s next in retail’s AI-powered evolution.

Episode Highlights

[0:35] - Why the first place we shop might soon be an AI agent, not a search engine or retailer site

[1:58] - Sctt Wingo’s perspective on riding the AI curve vs. being flattened by it

[3:10] - Are AI agents partners, channels, or parasites? Retailers must choose wisely

[5:55] - Agentic payments: will consumers really let AI shop for them?

[7:50] - The looming threat to retail media networks if bots replace human traffic

[10:00] - Will retail websites die or evolve into hyper-personalized shopping experiences?

Links & Resources

• Retail Gentech Newsletter
• Kiri's article on Walmart’s agentic AI pathway vs Amazon's walled garden
• Scot Wingo on LinkedIn
• Sucharita Kodali (Forrester Research) on LinkedIn
• Michelle Grant (Salesforce) on LinkedIn 
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn

In today's episode I dive into the real-world ways top retail brands are using AI—not just the flashy stuff you read about, but the practical tools that are truly moving the needle. From AI-driven share of search insights to tools that dissect customer reviews and even create product videos, these aren’t future ideas—they’re game-changing strategies already in play.

I spoke with four seasoned pros from the retail media space—Simon Swan, Elizabeth Rivas, Danny Silverman, and Luiz Antunes Filho—to hear how their teams are integrating AI into their daily workflows. Whether it’s optimizing product listings based on review insights, streamlining content creation, or letting AI manage ROAS targets, their stories reveal how AI is becoming a must-have tool in retail marketing. If you’re looking to get inspired and stay competitive, you’ll want to hit play on this one.

⏱️ Episode Timeline Highlights

[1:20] - Simon Swan explains how “My Telescope” uses share of search data across platforms like Google, Amazon, and TikTok to optimize media strategies in real-time.

[3:07] - Elizabeth Rivas shares how AI is transforming customer review analysis and boosting conversion rates by up to 74%.

[5:40] - Danny Silverman breaks down his use of ChatGPT for content creation and SEO tools to boost organic performance.

[7:09] - Luiz Antunes Filho discusses AI-generated video content and campaign automation using tools like Pacvue inside Amazon’s PPC dashboard.

[8:14] - Luiz also highlights how setting target ROAS/CPA allows AI to fine-tune advertising results.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn
• My Telescope – Share of search insights platform
• Pacvue – AI-powered retail media platform
• DetailPage.com – Organic content optimization and market share analytics tool

Connect with today's guests

• Elizabeth Rivas
• Luiz Antunes Filho
• Simon Swan
• Danny Silverman

In this episode, I unpack some eye-opening contradictions in consumer behavior when it comes to retail media. Sure, surveys say a lot—67% of shoppers claim to notice retail ads, and many express preferences for personalization. But are those sentiments actually guiding their spending? Spoiler: not quite.

We explore why what people say often doesn’t match what they do, and why marketers need to be cautious about relying on sentiment alone. From shoppers getting annoyed by video ads they later find useful, to those wanting eco-friendly products they don’t end up buying, the data tells a more nuanced story. This is a candid dive into why performance metrics—not opinions—should be your North Star in retail media strategy.

⏱️ Timeline Summary

• [0:00] 67% of shoppers say they notice retail media ads—what does that really mean?
• [0:25] The big question: do consumer opinions about ads even matter?
• [1:16] Shoppable video paradox—annoying, yet effective?
• [2:01] Misunderstanding retail media: it’s more than just sponsored listings.
• [3:00] Why offsite retail media is growing faster than onsite—and going unnoticed.
• [4:00] Personalization contradictions: wanted but also feared.
• [5:09] Marketers lean into performance, not perception, to guide budget decisions.
• [6:48] Closed-loop measurement: retail media’s secret weapon.
• [7:33] Why survey data can’t be your primary success metric.
• [8:03] The eco-friendly brand paradox—what we say vs. what we buy.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Capgemini Research Institute 2025:  consumer demand survey 
• Path to Purchase Institute and TransUnion Retail Media Network Ratings
• IAB Study Reveals Disconnect Between Brand Strategy and Consumer Journey Amid Soaring Commerce Video Engagement
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn

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

EMARKETER's bold projection—AI-powered search ads surging from $1B to over $25B by 2029—isn’t just hype. From structured product feeds in LLMs to Shopify’s latest catalog API, the foundations of conversational commerce are already reshaping the retail media landscape.

I unpack the key infrastructure shifts, consumer behavior trends, and strategic moves by giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Shopify. Plus, I dive into why attribution is about to get messier—and what that means for brands navigating AI search advertising. If you’re in media buying, eCommerce, or just curious about where digital ads are headed, this one’s for you.

Timeline Summary:

[0:26] - How live product feeds are being wired into AI systems

[1:09] - Shopify’s new catalog API and what it means for real-time shopping

[2:03] - The growth path from $1B to $25B in AI search ad spend

[3:01] - Adobe survey insights on how consumers are already using AI for shopping

[4:00] - Why Shopify metadata now acts as performance media

[5:00] - The different AI retail strategies: Walmart, Amazon, Shopify

[6:10] - The attribution headache: When chat starts the journey and merchant wallets close it

[8:00] - What brands need to do now to get ready for AI-driven search advertising

Links & further reading

• Link to my original post on Forbes.com on May 31st, 2025
•  EMARKETER's forecast
• An Adobe survey of 5,000 U.S. consumers reveals that 39% have already used generative AI for online shopping
• Shopify’s Catalog API, quietly launched during the company’s Summer '25 Edition rollout on May 21st
• Scot Wingo's article mapping the AI agent ecosystem - Retailgentic
• I recently wrote how Walmart is pursuing a dual path of AI agents
• Jason Goldberg (Publicis) in a new white paper on AI

Conference season is here, and with it comes the ever-present question from leadership: “Why should we approve this expense?” In today’s episode of the Retail Media Breakfast Club, I tackle that head-on with advice and stories straight from the front lines of retail media. Whether you’re booking your first trip to Cannes or opening your first conference app, you’ll find actionable tips to make every handshake, session, and badge count.

You’ll hear from seasoned pros like Brian Dudzunski (ex KIND snacks), Bree Keening (Wilton), Louis Antunes Filho (Organika), and Danny Silverman (Silverstream Consulting) as they share their strategies for maximizing ROI, creating intentional networking goals, and discovering emerging tech before your competitors do. Let’s dive into how you can turn these hectic days into high-value wins.

Episode Highlights:

• [0:39] - What to expect from Cannes and how to navigate your first conference with confidence.
• [1:06] - Why bringing cross-functional partners to conferences can supercharge buy-in.
• [2:19] - How one strategic list helped spark a lasting industry connection.
• [3:39] - Lessons from the Prosper Show: spotting innovation and preparing for budget season.
• [5:23] - Three essential tips for trade show success from scheduling to walking the expo floor.
• [6:02] - Why conference floors are the best place to catch up with industry trends—and old friends.

🔗 Links

Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter

Follow Kiri on LinkedIn
If you're heading to Cannes, sign up for the "celebrity death match: retail media edition" event, with me, Colin Lewis and Andrew Lipsman!

This episode, I dive into Mary Meeker’s long-awaited return to the tech trend spotlight with her massive 340-page AI report. If you’ve followed her legendary internet trend decks over the years, you know she doesn’t pull punches. Her newest insights confirm what many of us have sensed: AI is not just another tech wave—it’s the defining shift of our era. But what does that mean for those of us in retail, brand marketing, or the agency world?

In this episode, I share the key highlights from Meeker’s report that matter most to our world. From the evolution of clumsy chatbots into advanced AI agents to the reimagining of global logistics and the workforce itself, I unpack the practical implications you need to know. Whether you’re skeptical, overwhelmed, or already on board with AI, this is your cheat sheet for staying ahead.

Episode Timeline Highlights

[0:28] - First impressions of the 340-page AI report: no surprises, but plenty of validation.

[1:36] - The end of basic chatbots and the rise of AI agents—what this means for retailers.

[2:38] - The need for integration with AI agent ecosystems like Google’s Agent-to-Agent and MCP.

[4:02] - Global AI adoption has shattered speed records—how this shapes consumer expectations.

[5:00] - AI is remaking marketing: 75% of CMOs are already experimenting with generative tools.

[5:57] - AI revolutionizing supply chains: from autonomous trucks to dynamic inventory systems.

[6:41] - The new AI-centric workforce: senior leaders managing fleets of agents, not people.

[7:29] - The 32% still offline are coming online—with AI, not browsers. Global markets are changing fast.

[9:18] - A final quote that hits home: you don’t have to predict the AI winners—just don’t be the laggard.

Links & Resources

Mary Meeker's 340 page annual trends report: 'Artificial Intelligence'
Why AI Search Advertising Could Reach $25 Billion by 2029 – Forbes article
Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter

Follow Kiri on LinkedIn