In this episode of the System Change Podcast, host Sherif Elsayed-Ali discusses the complexities of digital advertising with guests Cori Crider and Robin Berjon. They explore the significance of ad tech, the implications of Google's monopoly in the advertising ecosystem, and the potential future of advertising models. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by the media industry due to monopolistic practices and the need for structural changes to ensure fair competition and innovation in the digital space.

Recorded May 15, 2025

Takeaways

• ​Digital advertising generates $600 billion a year.
• ​Google dominates multiple layers of the ad tech ecosystem.
• ​The current ad system subsidizes low-quality content.
• ​Antitrust cases against Google aim to break its monopoly.
• ​The death of journalism is linked to Google's ad practices.
• ​European regulators are hesitant to confront Google.
• ​Innovation is stifled by monopolistic practices.
• ​A public interest ad exchange could benefit all stakeholders.
• ​The chilling effect of monopoly prevents collective action.
• ​The future of news relies on breaking up monopolies.