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In our milestone 100th episode of the AdTechGod Podcast, we're diving into three big themes: the future of ad tech, the power of giving back, and where agencies are headed next. Segment 1 kicks off with industry legends Ari Paparo and Terence Kawaja. They break down how AI, automation, and consolidation are reshaping digital advertising—and what the booming creator economy means for authenticity and growth. Segment 2 takes a different turn, with Tom Deierlein, Heidi Browning, and Peter Naylor sharing the incredible story behind the TD Foundation. It's a nonprofit supporting families of wounded warriors and fallen heroes, proving how small donations and industry support can drive real impact. Segment 3 looks ahead to the agency world. Lauren Wetzel (Infosum/WPP) and Sam Bloom (PMG) talk about everything from navigating walled gardens and evolving business models to building people-first cultures in an AI-driven era. To my listeners, sponsors, and friends: thank you. Hitting 100 episodes is a huge milestone for me, and I couldn't have done it without your support. Segment 1 – The Future of Ad Tech 00:00 – Celebrating 100 Episodes of AdTechGod Podcast 01:48 – The Impact of AI on Ad Tech 05:22 – Consolidation in the Ad Tech Industry 08:59 – Challenges for Publishers in the AI Era 12:17 – The Future of Live Advertising 15:25 – Opportunities in the Creator Economy 18:59 – Navigating Authenticity in Content Creation Segment 2 – Giving Back: The TD Foundation 22:21 – Celebrating Milestones and Giving Back 23:53 – The Birth of the TD Foundation 28:22 – Personal Stories and Impact 31:49 – Real-Life Case Studies 36:01 – Challenges and Call to Action 39:05 – Corporate Involvement and Community Support Segment 3 – The Future of Agencies 42:21 – The Future of Agencies 45:40 – Navigating Walled Gardens & Data Challenges 49:55 – Evolving Business Models in Advertising 56:44 – Building a People-Centric Agency Culture 62:21 – Celebrating 100 Episodes & Looking Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With Nvidia's plan to invest $100 billion over time in OpenAI, is this type of investment in other competitors healthy for AI? Can LLMs actually handle enterprise tools and tasks? Meta launches a new AI short-form video feed. Apple is testing a new internal chatbot called Veritas as part of its efforts to revamp Siri. Nvidia (intends to) invest (up to) $100B in OpenAI (over time). Spending on AI is at epic levels. Will it ever pay off?. Jensen Huang: "We're already seeing trillion-dollar AI investments". How Anthropic and OpenAI are developing AI 'co-workers'. OpenAI says GPT-5 stacks up to humans in a wide range of jobs. OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pulse to proactively write you morning briefs. Meta launches 'Vibes,' a short-form video feed of AI slop. Trump signs executive order supporting proposed deal to put TikTok under US ownership. Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement over allegations it misled Prime users. Is GenZ unemployable? Top economists and Jerome Powell agree that Gen Z's hiring nightmare is real—and it's not about AI eating entry-level jobs. AI startup friend bets on foes with $1M NYC subway campaign. Peter Thiel wants everyone to think more about the Antichrist. Apple builds a ChatGPT-like App to help test the revamped Siri. Host: Alex Kantrowitz Guests: Brian McCullough, Dan Shipper, and Ari Paparo Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/twit expressvpn.com/twit fieldofgreens.com Promo Code "TWIT" zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit
With Nvidia's plan to invest $100 billion over time in OpenAI, is this type of investment in other competitors healthy for AI? Can LLMs actually handle enterprise tools and tasks? Meta launches a new AI short-form video feed. Apple is testing a new internal chatbot called Veritas as part of its efforts to revamp Siri. Nvidia (intends to) invest (up to) $100B in OpenAI (over time). Spending on AI is at epic levels. Will it ever pay off?. Jensen Huang: "We're already seeing trillion-dollar AI investments". How Anthropic and OpenAI are developing AI 'co-workers'. OpenAI says GPT-5 stacks up to humans in a wide range of jobs. OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pulse to proactively write you morning briefs. Meta launches 'Vibes,' a short-form video feed of AI slop. Trump signs executive order supporting proposed deal to put TikTok under US ownership. Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement over allegations it misled Prime users. Is GenZ unemployable? Top economists and Jerome Powell agree that Gen Z's hiring nightmare is real—and it's not about AI eating entry-level jobs. AI startup friend bets on foes with $1M NYC subway campaign. Peter Thiel wants everyone to think more about the Antichrist. Apple builds a ChatGPT-like App to help test the revamped Siri. Host: Alex Kantrowitz Guests: Brian McCullough, Dan Shipper, and Ari Paparo Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/twit expressvpn.com/twit fieldofgreens.com Promo Code "TWIT" zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit
With Nvidia's plan to invest $100 billion over time in OpenAI, is this type of investment in other competitors healthy for AI? Can LLMs actually handle enterprise tools and tasks? Meta launches a new AI short-form video feed. Apple is testing a new internal chatbot called Veritas as part of its efforts to revamp Siri. Nvidia (intends to) invest (up to) $100B in OpenAI (over time). Spending on AI is at epic levels. Will it ever pay off?. Jensen Huang: "We're already seeing trillion-dollar AI investments". How Anthropic and OpenAI are developing AI 'co-workers'. OpenAI says GPT-5 stacks up to humans in a wide range of jobs. OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pulse to proactively write you morning briefs. Meta launches 'Vibes,' a short-form video feed of AI slop. Trump signs executive order supporting proposed deal to put TikTok under US ownership. Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement over allegations it misled Prime users. Is GenZ unemployable? Top economists and Jerome Powell agree that Gen Z's hiring nightmare is real—and it's not about AI eating entry-level jobs. AI startup friend bets on foes with $1M NYC subway campaign. Peter Thiel wants everyone to think more about the Antichrist. Apple builds a ChatGPT-like App to help test the revamped Siri. Host: Alex Kantrowitz Guests: Brian McCullough, Dan Shipper, and Ari Paparo Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/twit expressvpn.com/twit fieldofgreens.com Promo Code "TWIT" zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit
With Nvidia's plan to invest $100 billion over time in OpenAI, is this type of investment in other competitors healthy for AI? Can LLMs actually handle enterprise tools and tasks? Meta launches a new AI short-form video feed. Apple is testing a new internal chatbot called Veritas as part of its efforts to revamp Siri. Nvidia (intends to) invest (up to) $100B in OpenAI (over time). Spending on AI is at epic levels. Will it ever pay off?. Jensen Huang: "We're already seeing trillion-dollar AI investments". How Anthropic and OpenAI are developing AI 'co-workers'. OpenAI says GPT-5 stacks up to humans in a wide range of jobs. OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pulse to proactively write you morning briefs. Meta launches 'Vibes,' a short-form video feed of AI slop. Trump signs executive order supporting proposed deal to put TikTok under US ownership. Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement over allegations it misled Prime users. Is GenZ unemployable? Top economists and Jerome Powell agree that Gen Z's hiring nightmare is real—and it's not about AI eating entry-level jobs. AI startup friend bets on foes with $1M NYC subway campaign. Peter Thiel wants everyone to think more about the Antichrist. Apple builds a ChatGPT-like App to help test the revamped Siri. Host: Alex Kantrowitz Guests: Brian McCullough, Dan Shipper, and Ari Paparo Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: helixsleep.com/twit expressvpn.com/twit fieldofgreens.com Promo Code "TWIT" zscaler.com/security spaceship.com/twit
Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi speak with Josh Walsh, founder and CEO of BranchLab, about how pharmaceutical advertising is changing. The discussion covers BranchLab's use of neural networks with non-health data, the impact of new privacy regulations, and recent funding from Lance Armstrong's Next Ventures. The conversation also touches on Deep Intent's acquisition, ongoing federal policy debates, and the broader implications for healthcare marketing. Takeaways BranchLab's Model: Neural networks trained on non-health data can help address privacy concerns while enabling audience insights. Funding Story: Next Ventures, led by Lance Armstrong, invested in BranchLab as part of a mission to support healthcare transformation. Industry Valuation: Deep Intent's $637M sale demonstrates the scale of opportunity in pharma marketing technology. Regulatory Shifts: State laws like Washington's My Health, My Data and New York's S929 are influencing how data can be used in advertising. Federal Policy Outlook: A nationwide ban on pharma ads is unlikely, but new disclosure and targeting requirements may emerge. Public Health Link: Responsible advertising can encourage more patient-doctor interactions, which often align with improved outcomes. Chapters 00:00 – Introductions02:00 – What BranchLab Does05:00 – Funding from Next Ventures07:30 – Industry Context09:30 – Data and Privacy13:00 – Federal Policy16:30 – The Road Ahead20:00 – Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the Marketecture Podcast, hosts Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi engage with Art Muldoon, Co-Founder of ArcSpan, to discuss the changing landscape of publisher data in ad tech. They explore topics such as leveraging AI to scale first-party data, the evolving future of the open web, and the intricacies of curation and transaction IDs (TIDs), emphasizing how publishers can regain control and succeed in a dynamic environment. The latter part of the episode covers industry updates, including mergers and acquisitions, shifts in DSPs, AI-driven creative tools, legal challenges facing Google, and the completion of the TikTok US deal. Takeaways ArcSpan helps publishers unify data and scale audiences. Publishers should expand beyond logged-in users using AI and surveys. Third-party validation boosts buy-side confidence. The open web is evolving, not dying. Curation can be a revenue opportunity if it is transparent. TIDs raise questions about fairness. M&A shows AI merging with media solutions. DSP competition is intensifying. Agencies are shifting towards AI workflows. Legal pressures on Google are increasing. Chapters00:00 - Ari and Eric introduce Art Muldoon from ArcSpan.02:00 - Explanation of Aggregate, Amplify, Activate.06:30 - Strategies for making 100% of audiences addressable.09:30 - Market caution and publisher pain points discussed.12:00 - How ArcSpan builds confidence on the buy-side.15:00 - Is it an opportunity or are margins being siphoned?17:00 - Comparing gaming, news, and sports publishers.19:00 - Reformulation, AI's role, and the future of publishing.21:00 - TIDs, Prebid, and the risks of arbitrage.25:00 - Partnerships: Rembrandt + Spaceback, Verve + Captify.30:00 - Amazon's GenAI tools and Yahoo's discount strategy vs. TTD.35:00 - Agency transformation insights.38:00 - Privacy remedies and lawsuits involving Magnite & Pubmatic.42:00 - Discussion on a US-led governance framework.45:00 - Reflections and a preview of next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi talk with Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of Integral Ad Science (IAS), about the latest shifts in digital advertising. They explore how the industry is moving from simple verification toward performance, why metrics like attention and carbon are getting more attention, what AI is doing behind the scenes, and how retail media and streaming are changing the game. Along the way, they dig into trust, complexity, and what brands really care most about today. Takeaways IAS has moved beyond verification, focusing on performance and transparency. Attention and carbon are part of the metrics mix, not replacements for existing standards. AI powers classification and validation at scale, speeding up processing and accuracy. Retail media and CTV are rapidly growing areas with unique challenges. Brands still prioritize simple goals: reach consumers, protect reputation, and drive outcomes. Chapters01:00 Open Web vs. Walled Gardens04:40 From Verification to Optimization07:30 Carbon as a Metric09:00 Attention Metrics12:00 Cutting through the Complexity12:40 AI in Practice16:15 Startups, Scale, and Data19:00 Retail Media's Rise21:00 Trust and Perception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
IN CLEAR FOCUS: Author and ad tech veteran Ari Paparo joins the podcast to discuss his new book, "Yield: How Google Bought, Built and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance." Hear how Google became the center of the digital ad ecosystem by controlling the publisher ad server, ad exchange, and ad network. Ari also reveals how the company leveraged its power with secret initiatives like 'Project Bernanke' and what the ongoing antitrust trial and a potential breakup could mean for the industry.
In this conversation, Ari Paparo interviews Ajit Thupil, Chief Product Officer of Bombora, discussing the unique challenges and strategies in B2B marketing. They explore how Bombora leverages data to enhance sales and marketing efforts, the importance of audience targeting, and the evolving role of AI in the industry. Ajit shares insights on the competitive landscape and the significance of understanding the distinct nature of B2B compared to B2C marketing. Takeaways Bombora focuses on the P2P space, serving sales and marketing needs. B2B marketing involves long and complex sales cycles. Data is crucial for targeting the right accounts in B2B. Activation of data is available through major DSPs and social channels. Granularity in audience targeting helps overcome company size disparities. AI's role in B2B marketing is evolving but remains data-dependent. Understanding customer behavior is key to effective targeting. Frequency capping at the account level is essential for B2B campaigns. Bombora's partnerships with publishers enhance data quality. Specialization in B2B marketing differentiates Bombora from larger platforms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bombora and Its Mission 03:07 Understanding B2B Marketing Dynamics 06:09 Data Utilization in B2B Marketing 08:47 Targeting Strategies and Audience Granularity 11:50 The Role of AI in B2B Marketing 14:58 Competitive Landscape and Challenges 18:01 Lightning Round and Fun Insights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the Marketecture Podcast, hosts Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi discuss the recent Google search remedies and their implications for the market. They delve into the antitrust issues surrounding Google, the upcoming ad tech trial, and the complexities of Epsilon's SSP. The conversation also touches on Perplexity's struggles in advertising, OpenAI's strategic acquisition, and emerging trends in ad tech and AI. Additionally, they explore insights from the CTV landscape, including Roku's growth and the NFL Red Zone's new commercial strategy, concluding with a discussion on Paramount's potential acquisition of The Free Press. Takeaways Chapters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this emergency episode of the Market Texture Podcast, Ari Paparo and Alan Chapell discuss the recent ruling by Judge Metta regarding Google's monopoly status. They analyze the implications of the ruling, including the decision not to divest Chrome or Android, the impact of distribution deals, and the challenges of data sharing. The conversation also touches on the missed opportunity for choice screens, the future of Google's search monopoly, and the DOJ's approach to antitrust cases. The episode concludes with thoughts on potential settlements and the global implications of the ruling. Takeaways Judge Metta's ruling largely favored Google's proposals. Chrome and Android were not deemed necessary for divestment. Distribution deals remain intact, benefiting Google. Data sharing is complicated by privacy concerns. Choice screens were dismissed as ineffective by the judge. The ruling does not reduce Google's search monopoly. AI's rise may challenge Google's dominance in the future. The DOJ's commitment to antitrust cases is uncertain. Future antitrust cases may focus on AI and other areas. Global implications of the ruling may affect future legislation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Emergency Episode 01:08 Judge Metta's Ruling Overview 02:02 Chrome and Android: The Monopoly Debate 05:37 Distribution Deals and Their Implications 09:13 Data Sharing and Its Challenges 14:41 Choice Screens: A Missed Opportunity 15:31 The Future of Google's Search Monopoly 19:42 Natural Monopoly vs. Competition 21:13 DOJ's Approach and Future Antitrust Cases 22:55 Next Steps for Google and Potential Settlements 26:36 Global Implications and Future Legislation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo sits down to talk about his new book Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, and talk about some of the defining moment of ad tech.Buy the book at https://www.amazon.com/Yield-Google-Bullied-Advertising-Dominance/dp/B0F67HV2BBFollow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaovhttps://youtube.com/@theadsn
In this episode, Ari Paparo moderates a debate about the role of transaction IDs in the ad tech industry with Mike O'Sullivan, co-founder of Sincera and now part of The Trade Desk, and Chris Kane, founder of Jounce Media. The conversation covers the benefits and drawbacks of transaction IDs, publisher concerns about revenue and data privacy, and the influence of the Trade Desk. The episode also looks into the complexities of auction duplication and the need for transparency and standardization in digital advertising. In The Refresh, Ari and Eric Franchi discuss related topics, including CTV pause ads, AI payment models, and Amazon's decision to block AI bots from scraping data. Takeaways Transaction IDs help harmonize ad requests and improve auction processes. Publishers express concerns about potential revenue loss and data privacy. The Trade Desk's influence is a point of concern for many publishers. Request duplication presents a significant challenge in ad tech. Engaging with buyers is crucial for publishers to understand market needs. Recent pre-bid changes have limited publishers' strategic options. Cleaner auctions can benefit both buyers and sellers. Transparency is vital for fair competition in the ad market. Publishers should seek clarity on how their inventory is presented. Standardization is needed for better performance in the ad tech ecosystem. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Transaction IDs 02:15 Understanding Transaction IDs and Their Controversy 05:15 Publisher Concerns and Revenue Implications 09:01 The Impact of Request Duplication 14:35 Practical Uses of Transaction IDs for DSPs 18:46 The Future of Transaction IDs in Ad Tech 19:22 The Pre-Bid Controversy 20:53 Skepticism in the Market 25:11 Fear of Trade Desk's Power 30:12 Navigating Publisher Concerns 35:03 Advice for Publishers Moving Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How did Google become one of the most powerful forces in advertising—and what happens when that power crosses the line? Ari Paparo, ad tech veteran, Marketecture founder, and author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, takes us inside the deals, innovations, and strong-arm tactics that reshaped the industry. From behind-the-scenes stories of the “Rocket Docket” antitrust trial to the coming AI disruption of search, Ari shares candid insights on market dominance, branding, and the future of digital advertising. How Google bought, built, and bullied its way to dominance in the ad tech industry — and why multiple governments have called its behavior monopolistic What happened inside the Virginia “Rocket Docket” antitrust trial that inspired Ari's book Yield, including behind-the-scenes stories from the courtroom How Google's market power has steamrolled smaller ad tech companies and shaped the open web — and what might change if regulators break it up Why AI and large language models could disrupt Google's search dominance for the first time in decades, reshaping SEO, SEM, and marketing strategy The branding lesson Ari took from clothing retailer Buck Mason — and why a perfectly on-the-nose brand experience can leave a lasting impression Ari Paparo began his career in digital advertising during the early days of the internet and went on to shape how online ads work today. He has led product teams at AppNexus and Bazaarvoice, helped create industry standards including the VAST video specification and Nielsen's Digital Ad Ratings, and founded the media company Marketecture to make sense of the complex ad tech world. A sought-after speaker and host of the Marketecture podcast, Ari is also the author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rise of one of the most powerful forces in technology. Ari pointed to Buck Mason—a clothing store he stumbled into with his wife in New York. Despite describing himself as “not a big clothes person” who usually dresses like a slob, he was struck by how perfectly the brand nailed its vibe: black T-shirts, a classic car parked in the middle of the store, art books casually scattered yet deliberately placed, and even a liquor bar to loosen wallets. Founded less than a decade ago in Venice Beach, Buck Mason impressed Ari as a masterclass in creating a brand experience so spot-on it feels like it was built in a lab for its ideal customer. Connect with Ari on LinkedIn and the Marketecture website. Check out his new book, Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance. Go down the internet rabbit hole on Ari's Adland.tv — home to 80,000+ vintage TV ads. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! (00:00) Intro (00:29) Ari's background in ad tech and industry standards (01:20) Breaking down Google's strategy: bought, built, bullied (03:08) Conflicts of interest and antitrust cases against Google (05:10) Covering the “Rocket Docket” trial and stories from the courtroom (06:32) The impact of Google's dominance on smaller ad tech companies (08:02) What might change if regulators break up Google (12:01) Google's brand halo vs. behind-the-scenes behavior (16:12) Privacy, third-party cookies, and regulatory pressures (19:00) AI disruption and the future of search (21:08) Marketing implications: SEO, SEM, and influencer marketing (23:01) The buzzword Ari is tired of hearing (24:52) The brand that made Ari smile: Buck Mason (26:20) Where to learn more about Ari and Marketecture (27:32) Closing remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi sit down with Scott Howe, CEO of LiveRamp, for an open conversation about how the ad tech world is changing. They talk about LiveRamp's shift from simply “data onboarding” to helping companies work together securely, how AI gets a real boost when you feed it the right kind of data, and what's actually happening now that cookies are fading away. Scott also shares real-world stories, from loyalty programs to connected TV, that show why smart collaboration might be the best way to stand out against the biggest players. Takeaways LiveRamp has moved from moving data around to helping partners actually use it together AI works best when powered by private, permissioned data instead of just public information Cookies are losing importance, and direct, authenticated connections are taking the lead Mid-sized players with unique data can compete more effectively with walled gardens The industry needs clear, open standards for sharing data to avoid repeating past mistakes Chapters 00:00 – Catching Up and News of the Week: Streaming deals, TTD updates, and AI chatter 02:34 – What LiveRamp Is Now: From onboarding to true collaboration 03:40 – AI's Data Diet: Why proprietary signals matter most 05:20 – Clean Rooms in Action: A snack brand, a retailer, and a social platform walk into a campaign 06:55 – Life After Cookies: Authenticated reach is already ahead 09:26 – Hedged Gardens: Where smaller but mighty players fit in 13:31 – The UCP Idea: Building shared rules for sharing data Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"It's as if we were both JP Morgan and the New York Stock Exchange." — Quoting a Google executive in his new book, Ari Paparo lays out the case against the tech giant. In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Publisher Doug Green interviews Ari Paparo, CEO of Marketecture TV and author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance. Paparo draws on two decades in ad tech—including his time at DoubleClick during its $3.1 billion acquisition by Google—to explain how the search giant built a commanding position across the digital advertising ecosystem. The conversation centers on the OpenX civil suit against Google, which follows a federal court ruling finding Google guilty of abusing its monopoly in advertising technology. Paparo details how Google's control of both the ad server market and the AdX exchange created a “tie” that locked out competitors, costing companies like OpenX market share and even forcing layoffs. With Google facing multiple antitrust actions worldwide—including parallel cases in search and app stores—Paparo says the September remedies trial could reshape the economics of online publishing. The discussion also examines the broader implications for news organizations and independent publishers, with Paparo predicting that breaking Google's control could open access to new advertising demand sources such as Meta. However, he warns that the rise of AI could create a new winner-take-all dynamic, potentially replacing one dominant gatekeeper with another. For advertisers, Paparo advises pragmatism—continue investing where ROI is strongest, chiefly Google and Meta—while publishers should focus on controlling their distribution through channels like email and podcasts rather than relying on referral traffic. Paparo's Yield—currently a #1 Amazon bestseller in the media category—offers what he describes as a “Michael Lewis–style” narrative for understanding the stakes of ad tech dominance, its impact on journalism, and the uncertain future of an open web. Learn more about Ari Paparo's work at aripaparo.com or find Yield on Amazon and major booksellers.
Brian Wieser, CEO of Madison and Wall, sits down with Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi to talk about the current state of advertising and media agencies. They cover recent earnings, the role of AI, and strategic shifts at companies like WPP and Publicis. Brian also shares his views on the economic climate and its effects on the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Casey Saran, CEO of Spaceback, joins Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi to talk about how brands are approaching creative in a landscape shaped by social platforms, AI tools, and evolving media formats. The conversation covers the use of organic and creator content in paid campaigns, the growing volume of creative assets, and how some brands are adapting their internal processes. They also touch on platform updates from Meta, TikTok, Spotify, and more in the context of recent earnings and product changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textWhat if the internet as we know it is quietly ruled by one company?Ari Paparo, ad tech insider and author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, joins FUTUREPROOF. to expose how Google quietly cornered the online ad market—and what that means for journalism, business, and democracy.We dig into auction rigging, publisher exploitation, antitrust litigation, and whether anyone can really compete with Google in digital advertising. If you care about the business model of the internet, this episode is essential listening.Topics Discussed:How Google consolidated power in digital advertisingThe myth of platform neutralityWhat publishers lost—and what they're trying to win backKey moments that shaped Google's ad empireWhy the DOJ's antitrust case matters more than you thinkHow Google's dominance affects the future of journalismResources:Yield by Ari Paparo (Amplify, 2025)Follow Ari at marketecture.tv
Next in Media spoke with Marketecture CEO Ari Paparo, author of the new book "Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance" about how Google was able to build a monopoly on programmatic ads, despite so many people in the ad industry shouting about it for years - and whether we can stop the next one.
In this week's episode of the podcast, I am joined by Ari Paparo, whose new book, Yield, is currently on pre-sale (see my review here). Yield follows Google's growth in the "open web display market", starting with its acquisition of DoubleClick and ending with the company being found guilty of abusing its monopoly power in the "ad tech" antitrust suit brought against it by the Department of Justice.But Yield also documents the history of modern digital advertising, from the advent of the advertising exchange to cookie targeting to yield management. The book provides a fascinating and engaging chronology of the events that shaped the internet economy, anchored to the characters that participated in them.In this episode, among other things, Ari and I discuss:The atmosphere in early 2000s-era New York as programmatic advertising took shapeHow and why Facebook's business model diverged from Google'sThe flaws in the open web advertising business model and whether the current state of the open web was pre-ordainedAdditionally, we discuss Ari's current venture, Marketecture, which is hosting its next event, Marketecture Live, in New York in October. I'll be presenting a keynote at the event, and tickets are currently available for purchase.Thanks to the sponsors of this week's episode of the Mobile Dev Memo podcast:INCRMNTAL. True attribution measures incrementality, always on.ContextSDK. ContextSDK uses over 200 smartphone signals to detect a user's real-world context, allowing apps to deliver perfectly timed push notifications and in-app offers.Interested in sponsoring the Mobile Dev Memo podcast? Contact Marketecture.The Mobile Dev Memo podcast is available on:Apple PodcastsSpotify
Ari Paparo talks with Stephen Upstone, CEO and founder of LoopMe, about the company's beginnings and its use of AI in advertising. They cover topics like measuring outcomes, navigating brand suitability, handling attribution, and dealing with data privacy. The conversation also looks at how LoopMe fits into the changing ad tech landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo has done it all in digital advertising—from DoubleClick and Google to founding Beeswax and covering the DOJ antitrust trial as an independent analyst.In this conversation with Capitol Forum Executive Editor Teddy Downey, Ari shares his insider take on:
Ari Paparo talks with Nikhil Jain, VP of Insights and Marketing Solutions at Dailymotion Ads, about the company's work around attention as both a measurement and planning tool. The discussion covers how attention is defined, how it's being predicted through AI and modeling, and the role of creative analysis, inventory quality, and sentiment in shaping campaign outcomes. Jain also shares how Dailymotion is applying video-level analysis, from visuals to audio and text, to support more informed targeting and media planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi sit down with Erin Foxworthy, Global Head of Marketing and Advertising at Snowflake, to discuss how marketing teams are rethinking data infrastructure in a shifting landscape. Erin reflects on her path through agencies, entertainment, and tech, and how that journey informs her current perspective. The conversation covers the move from legacy tools like DMPs to composable CDPs, the importance of data governance, and why some companies are opting to keep data where it is. They also touch on clean rooms, identity resolution, and the early role of AI in working with structured marketing data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ramsey McGrory, newly appointed President of Prisma at MediaOcean, joins Ari Paparo to discuss how the company is evolving its platform across linear and digital media. They unpack the implications of MediaOcean's acquisitions, including Innovid and Protected, and what it means to consolidate media planning, buying, and verification in an increasingly fragmented ad ecosystem. Ramsey also reflects on the role of buy-side ad serving today, the integration of AI, and how Prisma is adapting to agency and brand needs in the age of converged TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Topic: Google's advertising dominance. Ari Paparo discusses his childhood and professional journey (01:14), his book “Yield” (14:34), the origins and evolution of programmatic advertising (18:43), the unfair tactics Google used to maintain its dominance (23:02), the viability of the CPM-based model and the demise of the cookie (36:19), other players in the digital advertising market (39:55), upcoming innovations in ad delivery (41:54), and current regulatory issues (43:03).
Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi speak with Adam Epstein, co-founder and CEO of Gigi, an AI assistant focused on automating tasks within the Amazon DSP. Adam shares how the product evolved from a streaming TV tool to a broader AI-powered platform for media agencies. He discusses the challenges of training a vertical AI agent using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), the reasoning behind a chat-based interface, and how agencies are integrating their own processes into Gigi. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of agentic AI on agency workflows and team structures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo talks with Justin Evans, Head of Innovation and Insights at Samsung Ads and author of The Little Book of Data. They discuss the core ideas behind the book, how data concepts apply across industries, and why clear thinking rather than technical expertise is often what matters most. The conversation also touches on Evans's time in ad tech, his writing process, and what data can (and can't) explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo chats with Milly Botes, VP of Product Management at Acast, about how the company's podcast monetization platform and ad network. Milly breaks down the evolution of dynamic ad insertion, what makes host-read ads so effective, and how Acast is using AI to help with podcast discovery for advertisers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo sits down with Oleg Korenfeld, CTO of CMI Media Group, to discuss their experience integrating AI into agency media planning. They explore the challenges of working with multiple data sets, the limitations of generative AI in answering precise data queries, and how they adjusted their approach to automation. Oleg also shares insights on legal considerations, practical rollout hurdles, and the future potential of AI in media insights and planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo talks with Sean Muller, CEO of iSpot, about the challenges and opportunities in measuring video across platforms such as linear TV, streaming, and social media. They explore how AI is helping to accelerate insights and enhance creative planning, and how marketers are adapting to changes in video consumption and advertising strategies. The conversation also touches on how paid and earned media are managed within marketing teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo sits down with Tony Marlow, CMO of LG Ad Solutions, at Cannes to unpack trends in connected TV. They cover ad innovation on smart TVs, the role of OEMs in media strategy, and how AI is starting to shape both targeting and creative. A grounded conversation on where CTV is headed—and what challenges remain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo talks with Philip Inghelbrecht, CEO and co-founder of Tatari, about how TV advertising is changing. They cover outcome-based measurement, the role of DSPs in connected TV, and how Tatari is using AI in creative workflows and media planning. The conversation also touches on how brands of different sizes approach TV and what trends are shaping the space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark Grether, GM of PayPal Ads, joins Ari Paparo to break down how PayPal is approaching ads using data from PayPal, Venmo, and Honey. They talk about off-site targeting, commerce media, and why PayPal's position in the market might be more powerful than people realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo speaks with Louqman Parampath, VP of Product for Ads and Commerce at Roblox, to break down how the company is building out its ad business. They discuss Roblox's massive user base, its immersive environment, and how creators and brands are monetizing the platform. Topics include ad formats like rewarded video, the role of programmatic, brand safety in a youth-dominated space, and what the future looks like for ads in the Roblox universe. It's a detailed look at how a gaming platform is redefining digital engagement and advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo speaks with Matthew Doherty, CEO of EXTE North America, about the company's recent rebranding and its approach to entering the U.S. market. They cover EXTE's contextual targeting technology, how its optimization functions across various media environments, and the challenges of fitting into existing ad tech workflows. The discussion also explores broader industry topics such as supply-side developments and the influence of creativity on performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi are joined by David Berkowitz, a longtime marketer and founder of Serial Marketers and the AI Marketers Guild. They talk about the evolving role of community in marketing, how AI is reshaping creative work, and the uncertain future of entry-level marketing jobs. Plus, reflections on Mountain's IPO, WPP's AI push, and what it's like to build a brand when your name comes with unexpected baggage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo speaks with Aaron McKee, CTO of Blis, recently acquired by T-Mobile. They discuss Blis's unique geo-based approach to omnichannel media planning and measurement, how it delivers performance across hard-to-reach environments like iOS and CTV, and why traditional cookie-dependent strategies may fall short. Aaron also explains how Blis handles optimization, measurement through geo holdout groups, and compliance in a shifting regulatory landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Eric Franchi and Ari Paparo are joined by Olivia Kory, Chief Strategy Officer at Haus, Olivia explains her research on YouTube and AppLovin as well as how the methodology can work across media. The group discusses the big news that Xandr Invest is shutting and recaps the DMS conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taboola CEO Adam Singolda joins Ari Paparo to explore the company's role in the open web, from evolving publisher monetization models to the impact of AI on content personalization. They discuss the balance between relevance and quality, the rise of commerce content, and how platforms like Taboola are navigating scale and trust in a changing digital landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ari Paparo speaks with Andy Batkin, CEO of Duration Media, about the launch of Curation Media, a new approach to programmatic advertising. They explore the shift away from middlemen, how real-time viewability tech is creating unique, high-quality ad impressions, and what “scarcity at scale” really means for both publishers and buyers. It's a thoughtful dive into how supply path optimization and sustainability intersect with innovation in the ad tech space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TripleLift CEO Dave Helmreich joins Ari Paparo to discuss his first 60 days at the helm and how the company is evolving beyond its native roots. They explore TripleLift's push into creative as a differentiator for programmatic, its role in powering retail media through adaptive commerce solutions, and how it's helping publishers and advertisers innovate in CTV. Dave also shares thoughts on balancing infrastructure with innovation, where the biggest growth opportunities lie, and why he thinks TripleLift is like a hummingbird. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Ari Paparo interviews Eric Tilbury, Head of Operations at Inouvo, to explore how their platform moves beyond traditional keyword targeting using a proprietary “concept graph.” Tilbury explains how Inouvo identifies the underlying meaning and sentiment of content at the sentence level, enabling more precise ad targeting—even without user identifiers. He shares the company's origins from a UCLA machine learning lab, their dual business model spanning ad tech and publishing, and the ongoing challenge of attribution in a post-ID world. The conversation also touches on how Inouvo integrates with Microsoft's SSP and why building trust around alternative measurement remains a key hurdle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Marketecture, Ari Paparo sits down with Gary Mittman, CEO of KERV.ai, to discuss how AI-driven video analysis is transforming contextual relevance and shopability. Mittman explains how KERV's technology identifies key moments in video content to enable dynamic, targeted ad placements, creating new opportunities for publishers and advertisers. The conversation covers use cases with major media companies, the role of AI in ad compliance, and the challenges of integrating contextual targeting into the evolving ad tech landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the *Programmatic Digest Podcast*, we hear the unique career journeys of Shannon Rudd and Allie Lichtenberg into adtech. Allie, who started in biology and chemistry, now runs her own programmatic media buying company, Ad Lucem. Shannon shares her experience moving from publishing to consulting for midsize publishers, showing how the ad tech world is always changing. We also talk about important industry topics like privacy (specifically PETs) and diversity at tech conferences. Women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) representation matters, and we highlight the humor, support, and progress happening at these events. The episode also dives into the hidden heroes of programmatic advertising, the "programmatic ninjas" in ad operations. We discuss new tools for brand safety and media trading, as well as insights from ad tech pioneer Brian O'Kelley on improving user experience. Plus, we look at how community-driven brands like Marketecture Live and Advance Women are shaping the future of the industry. Special shoutout to our honorary mentions: Advance Women: https://advancewomenofficial.com/ Priti Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritip7/ Hollis Guerra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollisguerra/ Sophia Westrich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiawestrich/ Melinda Han Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindahan/ Mike Hauptman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljhauptman/ ATG: https://www.adtechgod.com/ Admonster: https://www.admonsters.com/conferences-and-events/ Lynne D Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnedjohnson/ Advance Women: https://advancewomenofficial.com/ Priti Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritip7/ Hollis Guerra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollisguerra/ Sophia Westrich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiawestrich/ Jeremy Bloom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypbloom/ Amelia Tran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliatran/ Ari Paparo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aripaparo/ Chris Luna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-luna-a85017b/ Rob Beeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertabeeler/ Melissa Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissashaychapman/ Brian O'Kelley: https://youtu.be/_kjfCrHvnGk?si=RM3IQpcXpAQXFCXx Iesha White: https://youtu.be/2edt1xrHNdQ?si=cFS2eQfejKLW21mz Albert Thompson: https://youtu.be/fd_zzQZx-PI?si=o1eI_IFuAtsFvFfp Announcement We have opened The Reach and Frequency MEMBERSHIP, exclusive to programmatic ninjas, adops, adtech unicorns looking for a community where we can learn freely and judgement free. https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Customized training roadmaps for teams focusing on campaign performance, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth. Request a sample training roadmap A hybrid model where we activate and train in DSPs. Book a Free Call Programmatic Training & Coaching: Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here Waitlist for Future Workshops: Join Here Timestamp: (00:02) - Programmatic Industry Insights From Mockitecture (14:39) - Privacy and Diversity in Tech Conferences (18:45) - Industry Diversity and Inclusion Discussion (31:52) - Ad Ops in Ad Tech (40:28) - Brand Safety and Ad Tech Innovations (46:59) - Evolution of Tech Industry Insights Meet Our Guest: Allie Lichtenberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmottolalichtenberg/ Shannon Rudd https://www.linkedin.com/in/srudd/ Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/ Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest Manuela Cortes - Co-Host Programmatic Digest In Espanol https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ Looking for programmatic training/coaching? Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course Join our next workshop by signing up to our waitlist below: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/
Have feedback or a question? Text us!SummaryIn this episode of the Marketecture podcast, host Ari Paparo is joined by Eric Franchi and Tim Rowe, founder of the OOH Insider podcast, to dive into the world of Out-of-Home (OOH) and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising. The episode kicks off with an exciting scoop about a recently published deck from DoubleClick (get it here), revealing insights that highlight their conservative estimates regarding media revenue. From there, it's an action-packed conversation about Why DOOH Matters, how it's being traded, and speculation on winners and losers as the programmatic pieces fall into place.TakeawaysMarket Size and Growth: The global DOOH market is approximately $21 billion, with $5 billion in the U.S. Despite growth, its share of advertising spend is declining, indicating challenges in capturing a larger market share.Fragmentation Challenges: The DOOH industry faces fragmentation, with many screens and networks leading to inefficiencies. Most programmatic transactions occur through private marketplaces (PMPs), complicating the buying process.Future of DOOH: The integration of DOOH with connected TV (CTV) and advancements in technology, such as first-party data utilization, are seen as key opportunities for growth and innovation in the sector.Attention Measurement: The collaboration between IAB and MRC for attention measurement accreditation is a significant step towards validating attention as a metric in advertising, which could benefit OOH advertising strategies.Chapters00:02:05 - Why Care About OOH/DOOH?00:02:23 - Case for DOOH00:02:49 - Market Size of DOOH00:04:07 - Growth Challenges in DOOH00:07:16 - Programmatic Transactions in DOOH00:08:03 - Leading Programmatic Companies in DOOH00:13:08 - Measurement in DOOH00:16:33 - Future of DOOH and CTV Convergence00:21:45 - Roku's Role in DOOH00:37:41 - Attention Measurement in OOHCheck out the Marketecture Podcast at https://www.marketecture.tv/Join OOH Insider and Placer.ai at The Premier Leadership Conference for those Building the Future with Location Analytics, December 10th, 2024 at Pier Sixty. Use discount code OOHInsider70 to save 70% at registration. Learn more here.
Covering Google's ad tech antitrust trial in Virginia is surreal for anyone who's been in ad tech as long as Ari Paparo. He knows most of the people on the stand.
This week marks an important moment in the history of digital advertising as the U.S. Department of Justice presses its case that Google is a monopolist in ad tech. The seeds of this case were planted in 2007, when Google bought DoubleClick, a critical piece of internet advertising infrastructure that was widely used by advertisers and publishers in running ad campaigns. With DoubleClick in the fold, Google methodically grew to dominate all phases of digital advertising by piecing together a full stack solution for ad tech, supplying the tools used to both buy and sell ads as well as the exchange used for transacting. And Google was the biggest source of demand for the exchange. The go-to comparison of this situation is if Goldman Sachs owned the New York Stock Exchange.On this week's episode of The Rebooting Show, I spoke to Ari Paparo, a former DoubleClick executive and ad tech veteran who now runs Marketecture. Ari, in addition to being the funniest person in ad tech, knows the history. We go back in time to when the Google-DoubleClick deal took place, just as programmatic advertising was becoming a reality, and get into the weeds about why controlling the plumbing of digital advertising created an unavoidable set of misaligned incentives.