Podcast appearances and mentions of mike ryan

The United States Men's National Team got its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign underway with a stunning 4-1 victory in Los Angeles against Paraguay, in what many are calling the greatest performance in the team's history. Nate Bukaty joins Mike Ryan to break it all down, including Folarin Balogun's brace, Christian Pulisic being subbed off at halftime, and Gio Reyna's magnificent exclamation point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are just two days away from the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Mike Ryan and Master Tesfatsion are here to get you ready for the first week of action, as they go match-by-match to preview Matchday 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Cote Shines In Shootout." Tony breaks out the telestrator to break down Mike Ryan's basketball game from last night, which is a mix between Fergie and Jesus. He also has his Top 5 Things To Look Forward To In Tonight's Game, Dameshek claims kickball is overrated, and Zaslow rejects the idea that you need to know math. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember Witty? He's back! Mike Ryan and Chris Wittyngham are reunited to preview the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and their expertise will get you ready with everything you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are just over a week away from the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and with it comes the return of Morally Abhorrent. To get us started, Mike Ryan is joined by Tom Bogert of The Athletic to preview the World Cup for the US Men's National Team. The boys discuss their matchups in the group, how far they think they can go, and the key players to watch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meta has overtaken Google in ad budgets - and for ecommerce advertisers, that changes everything.It means Google is on the offensive. It means the pressure to split your budget between platforms is about to intensify. And it means that if you're not set up correctly on Google's AI surfaces right now, you're already losing ground to competitors who are.In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan (smec's Head of Ecommerce Insights) and Chris share firsthand takeaways from GML 2026 — both the San Francisco and Dublin events — with unfiltered takes on what actually matters for your campaigns.What we cover:→ Google vs. Meta: The "War of the Titans" and why Google's messaging to advertisers is getting aggressive→ AI Max for Shopping: Why standard shopping campaigns may have limited eligibility in AI surfaces→ New AI-native ad formats: Conversational discovery ads, feed-based text ads, and why the line between shopping and search is collapsing→ Ask Advisor: A great idea — but oversold to an irresponsible degree (Mike's take)→ Universal Cart: Multi-retailer, cross-platform checkout — and Google's Amazon moment→ What the shift to agentic commerce means for how you monetize clicksCut through the hype. Know what to act on.

"I'm getting all choked up." The Vegas Golden Knights are returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in their nine-year franchise history, despite Mike Ryan guaranteeing before the series that the Colorado Avalanche would win the Stanley Cup. Is that a worse mistake than Dan saying Sandy Alcantara is unhittable? Plus, a Greg Cote cough for the ages, more Giannis-to-Miami trade rumors, Jason Williams going after his alma mater, and Greg Cote's eulogy of Manny "lovingly called 'Taco'" Fernandez. Today's Cast: Dan, Zaslow, Greg, Chris, JuJu, Mike, Trysta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sweet baby James?" Mike Ryan tried Jeff Daniels' favorite sandwich over the weekend, and no matter what you think it's made of, you're going to be wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Google just dropped a PMax special — and there's a lot to unpack.In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Chris break down three major updates reshaping how ecommerce advertisers run Performance Max and Shopping campaigns in 2025:1. Network exclusions for PMax: You can now opt out of Search Partner Network AND Google Display Network directly inside PMax. Years in the making, and a massive lever for both performance and brand safety. We walk through why it matters, when to use it, and how to check your own data first.2. Shopping Performance View: A new level of product-level reporting coming to PMax and Demand Gen campaigns via the Google Ads API. See performance by brand, category, product type, and item ID — the same parity you get in standard Shopping. Huge for anyone who's tried and failed to understand feed performance inside Max.3. AI Max for Shopping: The biggest one. Google is rolling out an optional AI layer for standard Shopping campaigns with three features:- Text customization: Google rewrites your product titles dynamically per query- Final URL expansion (FUE): Google picks landing pages from your site — including category pages- Optimal format selection: Text ads can now appear inside your Shopping campaignsWe discuss what this means for advertisers who run standard Shopping for control, whether there's real redundancy with Search and PMax, the campaign overlap and CPC escalation risk, and why Mike thinks this is actually bigger than AI Max for Search.Standard Shopping: confirmed not dead. Google is investing in it.Growing Ecommerce is brought to you by smarter ecommerce (smec) — helping online retailers optimize paid search through AI-powered software and human PPC expertise.#PerformanceMax #PMax #GoogleShopping #AIMaxForShopping #GoogleAds #EcommerceMarketing #PPC #SearchPartnerNetwork #GoogleAdsUpdates #PaidSearchAbout Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller dive into the much-anticipated updates to the OpenAI ads platform and break down Google's staggering Q1 earnings report.While OpenAI has finally transitioned their ad platform from a primitive Excel spreadsheet to a proper User Interface, their highly publicized shift to a CPC model is raising major red flags. We break down the math behind their highly constrained $3 to $5 max CPC range, revealing how it mathematically equates to the exact same astronomical $60 effective CPM they originally launched with. We discuss why advertisers should demand more transparency and control before shifting their performance budgets to ChatGPT.We also unpack Google's unstoppable Q1 momentum. With a massive $110 billion in revenue and an 80% spike in earnings per share, Google is silencing the "death of Search" narrative. We explore their impressive 19% core Search growth, the staggering 63% surge in Google Cloud that is heavily outpacing AWS and Azure, and why Google's massive $180 billion CapEx guidance for 2026 solidifies their dominance in the AI arms race.Key Takeaways:• The OpenAI Ad Trap: Don't be fooled by OpenAI's new CPC bidding model. By forcing advertisers into a strict $3 to $5 CPC range, the platform is essentially maintaining its premium $60 effective CPM under a disguise. Advertisers should hold off on shifting performance budgets until real incrementality and transparency are proven.• Search is Still Thriving: Despite the ongoing narrative that AI will kill traditional search engines, Google's core Search product grew by 19% year-over-year. The search giant's core advertising flywheel remains the most reliable engine for ecommerce growth.• Google Cloud is Winning the AI War: Google Cloud (GCS) achieved a staggering 63% year-over-year growth, heavily outpacing Amazon AWS (28%) and Microsoft Azure (39%). Powered by deep Gemini integration and proprietary TPUs, Google's vertical integration puts them in a unique position to dominate the next decade.Resources & Links:• Access all our webinars, reports, and playbooks in our Knowledge Hub: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/knowledge-hub/ • How is your industry stacking up in the market? Find out with smec's Google Ads Benchmarks: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/smec-market-observer/About Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

"Bruce Arians would not be caught dead wearing a beret."Is the Kangol the worst hat you can wear in 2026? Or is the Abe Lincoln hat worse? Tony has listened to the new Drake album, Iceman, and declares that Drizzy has won the war with '5'2" liar' Kendrick Lamar. Meanwhile, Zaslow declares that the Cleveland Cavaliers will end the Detroit Pistons tonight, and Mike Ryan says Mitch Marner may never have been the problem in Toronto, but rather the Maple Leafs themselves. Is Auston Matthews actually the most overrated of the group between him, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Growing E-commerce, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller dive into the end of an era: Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) are officially dying.While Google's new AI Max for Search currently sits at a tiny 1.5-2% adoption rate, the mandatory migration of all DSA campaigns by September will trigger an instant hockey-stick growth curve. We explain exactly what you need to expect from this sunset, how the auto-migration handles broad match and URL expansion by default, and why advertisers need to start testing AI Max immediately before the Q4 holiday crunch.We also unpack the diverging automation strategies of the tech giants and the catastrophic drop in Meta Advantage+ adoption. After peaking at 40%, its cost share has nosedived to a concerning 20%. We discuss why this downward trend calls Mark Zuckerberg's "fully automated" vision into question. Plus, we explore the latest Meta Pixel updates and why Meta wants a feed-less future while Google doubles down on structured data.Key Takeaways:The AI Max Hockey Stick: Do not be fooled by the current low adoption rate of AI Max for Search. Once the legacy DSA campaigns (which currently hold about 15% cost share) are auto-migrated in September, AI Max will become a dominant and highly relevant campaign type overnight.Meta's Automation Problem: Advantage+ adoption is on a multi-quarter decline, dropping to just 20% cost share. Without substantial product improvements, Meta will struggle to achieve the fully automated, hands-off advertising ecosystem it envisioned.The Feed vs. Feed-less Divide: Meta is attempting to offload feed management by using AI to scrape landing page data directly via the Meta Pixel. Conversely, Google relies heavily on detailed data feeds to ground its AI and maintain quality control.Resources & Links:Access all our webinars, reports, and playbooks in our Knowledge Hub: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/knowledge-hub/How is your industry stacking up in the market? Find out with smec's Google Ads Benchmarks:https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/smec-market-observer/ About Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

What are the best uniforms in all of sports? We create the master list of all master lists. The parameters are simple: home and away. You can't just have one. You need the full set. Mike Ryan Ruiz and Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan join the show for the ultimate Drip Drill. At the end, we crown a champion. AUDIO Football America! is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/football-america/id1831757512 Follow us: Dave Dameshek: https://x.com/dameshek Gino Fuentes: https://x.com/Gino_Fuentes Mike Fuentes: https://x.com/mikefountains Host: Dave Dameshek Guests: Mike Ryan Ruiz and Pulitzer Prize Winner Amin Elhassan Team: Gino Fuentes, Mike Fuentes, Ethan Bedowsky Director: Danny Benitez Senior Producers: Gino Fuentes, Mike Fuentes Executive Producer: Soup Campbell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"The Basque region..." Mike went to see Mortal Kombat II, and while he and the rest of the group were at the movie, Amin did the unthinkable. Zaslow is headed to Rolling Loud with his son this weekend, and while that's important, the Cyclones' title game tonight has taken over the discourse. Plus, what should the Miami Heat do if they get the No. 1 pick? Should they take a player or trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Today's cast: Jonathan Zaslow, Dave Dameshek, Chris Cote, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, and Roy Bellamy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'm allowed to hold her to a double standard." Jeremy has a Top 5 Reactions To Yesterday's Show in the form of his limited fake Joe Zagacki before Zaslow tells us the details of his dream last night, where he had an affair with a celebrity. Who caught him? Why did it happen? What other recurring dreams does he have? Then, the crew reacts to the New York Knicks victory over the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers and Jimmy Haslam making it clear that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be on the move soon. Today's cast: Jonathan Zaslow, Your ol' pal Dave Dameshek, Chris Cote, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"As he's saying that, I'm thinking 'don't go there'...and he went there." Did the NHL rig the Draft Lottery so that the Toronto Maple Leafs would end up in position to pick Gavin McKenna? Would even more people have called it rigged if the Florida Panthers had gotten the first pick? Is Chris Cote the only person allowed to say his sister-in-law is hot? We are two weeks into the Keep Michael Yormark The Hell Away From The University of Miami and South Florida Campaign, and Mike Ryan and Zaslow remain concerned that a person David Samson called 'despicable' could be the head of UM's athletic department. Today's Cast: Zaslow, Dave, Greg, Chris, Roy, Tony, Mike, Amin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller break down the latest shifts in the battle for AI dominance and the future of online shopping.We analyze the quiet death of OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP). With major tech giants—including ACP co-founder Stripe, as well as Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon—joining Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Tech Council, we explore what this consensus means for the future of e-commerce standards and why these companies chose to back Google's infrastructure over ChatGPT.We also look at where ChatGPT's outbound traffic is actually going. With 20% of its e-commerce referrals landing on Amazon—and roughly 30% of its overall referrals directing users right back to Google or YouTube—we question the long-term impact on user experience and whether OpenAI is just feeding the monopolies it is trying to disrupt.Plus, we cover Google's rollout of "AI mode" to Chrome users in the US, featuring a new side-by-side browsing experience, and discuss the looming threat of mass arbitration facing Google in the wake of its 2024 antitrust loss.Resources & Links:Access all our webinars, reports, and playbooks in our Knowledge Hub: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/knowledge-hub/How is your industry stacking up in the market? Find out with smec's Google Ads Benchmarks:https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/smec-market-observer/ About Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

"Sabal Palm Elementary, dawg." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. THE BOSTON CELTICS BLEW A 3-1 SERIES LEAD TO THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS. JAYSON TATUM. JAYLEN BROWN. JOE MAZZULLA. SEE YOU IN CANCUN, CHOKERS! SOMEHOW UNDERACHIEVERS IN A "GAP YEAR." WORSE FRANCHISE THAN THE MIAMI HEAT. FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Today's cast: Jonathan Zaslow, Your ol' pal Dave Dameshek, Chris Cote, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Have you checked fingers? There's two of 'em right up yours, buddy!" Who came up with baseball pants, huh? Zaslow recounts his night at the Guns N' Roses concert, we enter Day 5 of 'Keep Michael Yormark The Hell Away From The University of Miami' shows, Greg Cote serenades the audience with a new song celebrating Connor McOverrated and the Edmonton Oilers, and Dave calls out Jeremy's name. Today's cast: Jonathan Zaslow, Your ol' pal Dave Dameshek, Chris Cote, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, Roy Bellamy, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I found a rock-hard Starburst." Tony's day gets off to a tough start when Dan catches him flossing his teeth just before the show, and Zas admits he's scared of Q-tips. Also, with Ty Simpson going to the Los Angeles Rams earlier than expected, the show debates the merits of taking QBs early in the draft while your franchise QB is still around. Today's cast: Dan Le Batard, Jonathan Zaslow, Chris Cote, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, Roy Bellamy, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Can you call it a mansion if you can't afford a sofa?" Did you watch the Miami Marlins and Janson Junk outduel Shohei Ohtani last night? Zas didn't, but that's because he was switching back and forth between the NBA and the NHL Playoffs from his cuck chair, rather than his uncomfortable leather couch. Also, as Dan rails against Greg's apology to the Dolphins over their 1st round pick, Chris leads the group on a search for the best items you'll find in a junk drawer. Today's cast: Dan Le Batard, Greg Cote, Jonathan Zaslow, Chris Cote, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, Roy Bellamy, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I don't want any of that snake oil dropping on me." Miami Heat President Pat Riley held his annual postseason press conference, and it left Dan with a feeling he had never had before when listening to Riley. Was this the same old or the old same? Also, Zaslow is infuriated by reports that Michael Yormark could be the next Athletic Director at the University of Miami, and he resorts to name-calling. Today's cast: Dan Le Batard, Jonathan Zaslow, Chris Cote, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy Tache, Mike Ryan, and Tony Calatayud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week in the Breakroom, Mike Ryan, Partner at McDermott Will and Schulte, and Parashar Patel join Erin Fuller to discuss the significance and implications of the new FDA and CMS Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device-(RAPID)- device coverage pathway. 

Google just quietly won the agentic commerce war — and most ecommerce retailers haven't even noticed. In this episode of Growing Ecommerce, Mike Ryan and Chris break down the three UCP (Universal Commerce Protocol) updates Google just shipped, why OpenAI's ACP is already falling behind, and the structural advantages that make Google's lead almost impossible to catch.If you run Performance Max campaigns, sell on Google Shopping, or want to understand where ecommerce is headed in the AI era — this is the episode that connects the dots.Inside this episode:The 3 new UCP capabilities that just went live: cart building, catalog capability, and identity linking — and why "boring" updates matter more than hypeWhy OpenAI's ACP dropped to single-item checkout while Google moved aheadThe Walmart Sparky chatbot inside ChatGPT — the workaround that proves OpenAI's pipeline is brokenHow Google Pay and Google Wallet quietly lock retailers into a walled gardenGoogle's flywheel: how the shopping graph + audience graph + structured knowledge graph data create a moat LLMs can't replicateWhy this time is different from Buy on Google's 2018 failure — and what changed in Google's leverage over retailersWhy pipeline-based agents (UCP) will win over browser-based agents — and how this is really the logical endpoint of headless commerceThe only thing that could realistically stop Google: regulatorsTopics covered: UCP, Universal Commerce Protocol, agentic commerce, Performance Max, PMax, Google Shopping, AI mode, ChatGPT shopping, OpenAI ACP, agentic checkout, Google Pay, Google Wallet, headless commerce, Merchant Center, knowledge graph, shopping graph, Walmart Sparky, AI overviews, conversational attributes.About Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

"What if the real podcast award was the friends we made along the way?" Mike Ryan proclaims himself the Tucker Carlson of Miami Heat fandom before Pablo Torre joins the show seconds after winning a Webby Award for Best Sports Podcast, and he seems bored by it. Pablo explains his latest stories on The Onion purchasing Infowars, James Dolan surveilling his perceived enemies, Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel's latest controversies, and the evil of Sam Altman. So, a light hour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Growing E-commerce, Mike Ryan and Chris Scharmueller unpack two massive stories highlighting the current realities—and potential delusions—of the tech and retail sectors.First, we discuss the quiet and staggering fall of Allbirds. Once a Silicon Valley staple and D2C darling valued at a massive $4 billion, the sustainable shoe company has reportedly sold for a fraction of that cost. We explore what their trajectory tells us about the overestimation of the D2C model and why the fundamentals of traditional retail still matter.Then, we dive back into the OpenAI ad platform. OpenAI recently released a bullish projection: they expect their ad business to cross $100 billion in revenue by 2030. We take a critical look at the current state of their ad interface—which currently resembles Google Ads from a decade ago—and discuss why hitting that revenue target will require an unprecedented, disruptive evolution of their product.Key Takeaways:The D2C Reality Check: Allbirds' massive devaluation highlights a broader trend: many D2C brands were valued as high-growth tech companies rather than traditional retailers. As market conditions shift, the core competencies of traditional retail—and the value of retail middlemen—are becoming apparent again.OpenAI's Steep Climb: While OpenAI projects a massive $100 billion ad business by 2030, their current platform is rudimentary. It operates on a flight-based approach with a fixed $60 CPM and relies on basic keyword matching, limiting its appeal primarily to large brand advertisers rather than the performance-focused mass market needed for that scale of growth.The Comparability Problem: OpenAI's ad platform will inevitably be compared to highly sophisticated, always-on ecosystems like Google Ads and Meta. To capture significant market share and reach their revenue goals, OpenAI must evolve beyond a basic UI and deliver a product that proves strong incrementality and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).Resources & Links:Access all our webinars, reports, and playbooks in our Knowledge Hub: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/knowledge-hub/How is your industry stacking up in the market? Find out with smec's Google Ads Benchmarks:https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/smec-market-observer/ About Smarter Ecommerce (smec):Smarter Ecommerce (smec) empowers e-commerce brands with AI-driven PPC automation that optimizes for profit and business outcomes while maintaining strategic control.The platform activates first-party data - profit margins, customer lifetime value, and key business metrics - to automate campaign optimization toward goals like profitability and efficient growth, while detailed campaign insights provide full transparency and enable PPC teams to focus on strategic oversight rather than manual execution.As a Google Premier Partner and three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year, smec manages over €500 million in ad spend and drives €5B+ in annual e-commerce revenue for 350+ global retail clients including THG, Snipes, REWE, and Intersport.Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights:smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbhNewsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/

The Fan Le Batard show is back to discuss has the Dan Le Batard show lost a step? Is Witty ready for marriage? Who should get the inner monologue treatment next? And will Stu bring Dianna Russini into Stugotz and Company?

Send us Fan MailBeyond the Business Card: Strategic Networking with Mike Ryan | Coffee N5In Episode 247 of Coffee N5, Lara Schmoisman chats with Mike Ryan, a true master of professional relationships and a veteran of the PR and marketing industry. In this episode, they dive deep into the world of professional relationship building, the critical importance of "showing up," and how Mike has successfully navigated the digital revolution from the days of hand-typed press releases to creating premium, high-tech unboxing experiences for global brands.Key Topics Covered:The Philosophy of Showing Up: Why being a "social butterfly" is about building genuine human relationships, not just filling a to-do list.Networking vs. Strategic Partnering: How to move beyond the traditional "booth" mentality to become a respected authority and a face people recognize at every event.The Evolution of the Industry: A fascinating look at the transition from 1980s manual press distribution to the modern era of digital logistics and fulfillment.The Art of the Unboxing Experience: Why "white glove" service and customized influencer send-outs are the new standard for brands in the digital age.Reputation as Your Only Contract: Mike explains why building a "circle of trust" and maintaining a flawless reputation is more powerful than any legal document.About Mike Ryan:Mike Ryan is a seasoned expert in networking and business development with nearly four decades of experience in the communications and fulfillment space. Known as a "Chief Networking Officer" in spirit, Mike has built his career on the principles of loyalty, adaptability, and the power of a handshake. He is a prominent figure in the beauty, fashion, and wellness circles and is the host of the podcast Minutes with Mike.

On this episode of Mark Bell's Power Project, Mark talks with Mike Ryan, a celebrity trainer and lifelong athlete, former Gold's Gym manager, and someone who's been around the best of the best for decades.Mike is about to turn 60… and he's not slowing down. He's still lifting heavy, sprinting, working long hours, and pushing to break records, not just maintain.Follow:@mike_ryan_celebritytrainerSpecial perks for our listeners below!

"Jerome Bettis..." Nick Wright demands an apology from Mike Ryan for a bet that is still 9 years away from being paid off. He also delivers eloquent takes on the NBA's need for Adam Silver's intervention, the three biggest storylines in basketball this season, Michael Malone's decision to choose college over the pros, and the show's popularity, but the crew is too distracted by Greg's breathing to react to any of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nasty Nate is back with a message for the video team: DON'T DO THAT TO MIKE! Then Nate gets into thoughts on the inner monologue, compares we can observations to weekend observations, discusses Stu and Dan's thoughts on Tiger, and points out where the show might be showing it's finally missing Billy. To the end the show Nathan plays some clips from Billy's recent outing on the FIU broadcast, to hear the full the best of go to our YouTube page.

"He's been doing number two for 15 years." Dan wants to steal Greg Cote's Top 50 Catchphrases from The Greg Cote Show with Greg Cote, but Greg doesn't have his 24th catchphrase ready just yet. Inter Miami opens its new stadium this weekend, and Dan wonders whether teams will eventually need fans in their stadiums. Plus, Mike Ryan was at Miami Hurricanes' spring practice and calls Malachi Toney both 'baby Jesus' and a 'prodigal son.' Today's Cast: Dan, Greg, Chris, Roy, Tony, Mike, Amin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Hall of Fame NFL athletic trainer and sports medicine expert Mike Ryan for an inspiring conversation that's filled with wisdom, stories from the NFL sidelines, and practical ways to stay healthy from his new book Foam Rolling made Easy.   Mike shares his unique journey—from his early days as an assistant with the New York Giants to becoming the youngest head athletic trainer in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and later transitioning to his current role with NBC's Sunday Night Football. Along the way, Mike opens up about the leadership lessons he learned under pressure, the importance of clear communication, and the power of honesty in building trust with both players and coaches.   We delve into the mindset shifts required when stepping into a leadership role, the art of mentoring others to their own success, and the lasting impact of fostering a culture where team members can grow and thrive. Mike's commitment to making sports medicine simple and accessible shines through as he discusses his mission to help people move pain-free and live more active, fulfilling lives. He unpacks strategies for injury prevention, reveals how foam rolling can unlock your body's potential, and explains why taking care of ourselves matters—not just for elite athletes, but for anyone who wants to stay "stronger for longer."   Whether you're a leader, an athlete, or simply someone looking to invest in your health, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement. Mike's passion is contagious, and his message is clear: no matter your age or where you're starting from, positive change and lifelong wellness are within your reach. About Mike, Mike Ryan is a sports medicine specialist, physical therapist and former 26-year National Football League (NFL) Head Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist. He proudly served as President of the PFATS Research & Education Foundation for 14 years. Mike was recently inducted into the NFL Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026. He's focused his career post-NFL career on teaching individuals the art of restoring pain-free joint movement without medicine. Mike's Personal Mission Statement is simple: To Enhance the Health of Others and Himself Mike is the currently the sideline Sports Medicine Analyst for both Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. Mike's second book, Foam Rolling Made Easy, was released in January 2026. His athletic and extreme-sport resumes continue to grow: • Acrobatic plane Wing Walking • Competing in 3 of the last 4 three DekaFit World Championships • 6 Ironman triathlons in 5 countries • Great white shark diving in South Africa • Bungee jumping in New Zealand • Two Running with the Bulls in Spain • 2002 Duathlon World Championships • Ironman Triathlon World Championships Mr. Ryan attended Central Connecticut State University earning hisdegree in Athletic Training before earning hisPhysical Therapy degree from the University of Connecticut.  Here's a few additional resources for you… Do you feel called to share your story with the world? Check out Gordon Publishing  Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11 Check out my new revised release of my book, The Power of Positive Leadership here! Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It's advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters. Ready to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose? The Certified Positive Leader Program is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader from the inside out. It's a self-paced experience built around my most impactful leadership principles with tools you can apply right away to improve your mindset, relationships, and results. You'll discover what it really means to lead with positivity… and how to do it every day. Learn more here! Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!

"It was a ball." We have Tani's Top 5 Something Or Nothings of NFL Free Agency, or is it a Big Deal or No Deal? Plus, the time Tony's card got declined at Tootsie's, David Zaslav's big payday, and Mike Ryan's arrival at the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You're my glue guy in the bay, and I love you..." Jeremy has a Stat of the Day about, well, you can guess who, which leads us to an old song from Mike Ryan about Draymond Green. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"How did Zaslow die? He didn't know how to get to Santa Fe." Mike Ryan admits that Tim Tebow is "an amazing guy," and Trysta tells the story of the time Tebow admitted they have chemistry, but something is a little off about how much Canes fan Mike Ryan continues to praise Tim Tebow. Dave pits Tony and Tache against each other in some TvT action and then starts rambling about Super Bowl MVPs. Which NFL superstars could beat up Logan Paul in a boxing ring? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I hope so." Dan wants you to know he has NEVER owned an umbrella, and David Samson is here to lie to Mike Ryan about the firing of Tommy Hutton and to advocate for companies to lay off their employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"He doesn't even have shoes, he has shoe." Mike Ryan ordered a pair of shoes that made him feel old, Dave has a brand-new game, Amin knows all the flags, and Connor McDavid gets a nice question thrown his way. Plus, is it a possibility that Connor Hellebuyck could get booed by his home fans in Winnipeg? Which teams have the worst names? Are there any cool team names left? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"What are the three breaking news that come to mind that y- you you used?" The Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad fan bases are at war, Greg believes there is an 'adult' ice cream, Mike has a crucial UFL source, Tony bets the castle, and Dameshek kibitzes with a lovely couple at the hotel bar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I got a little teary-eyed when the pole dancer went up with Old Glory." Zaslow is here in his rattiest hoodie and without a hat to drive today's show to chat about the U.S. Hockey team's trip to E11EVEN with expertise from Mike Ryan, who witnessed it with his own 'pretty eyes.' Plus, the greatest position groups in Florida sports history, Greg eats a cheese & ham sandwich, Dave has a question, and Jeremy threatens to be more annoying about something than he is about politics. Today's cast: Zaslow, Your Ol' Pal Dave Dameshek, Greg, Chris, Amin, Jeremy, Mike, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of With Stugotz & Hochman, Marc Hochman and Stugotz react to the news of Ron Magill retiring from Zoo Miami after 46 years. They discuss how it was originally Mike Ryan's idea for him to join the show on a weekly basis and the pushback from executives that came when the show transitioned to ESPN. Plus, we listen back to the best moments from Magill’s early appearances on the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"They're throwing words." Hurtful words have been slung about: some at Adam Silver, some at Mike Ryan, some at Horizon League officials, some at Kansas State players, some by NC State Fans, and some... by Greg Cote himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Mike Vrabel cutting off his dick. Then the Giannis trade. Then the Super Bowl." The University of Miami basketball team may just be tournament-bound, and Mike Ryan wants you to know who makes him get hard wood when he steps on the hardwood. Also, players' coaches, long snapping, the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, and the introduction of limited fake Dan's inner monologue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"In the crucible of life, I don't ever want Roy with me." Despite the celebration around town for Miami's own Fernando Mendoza, it's primarily a dark day around the city of Miami after the Hurricanes loss in the National Championship Game, and there's nowhere darker than Mike Ryan's heart. Today's cast: Dan, Greg, Zaslow, Chris, Jeremy, Lucy, Mike, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Why do you have to count on me to carry your bit?" Tony's at La Casa De Los Trucos collecting costumes for Dan, and he even has a fart machine ready to rip. Also, Dan finally remembers there's a pretty important football game tonight, so Dameshek and Lucy break down Mike Ryan's favorite thing: line play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You just gotta make the proper adjustments." The hour kicks off with a brouhaha between Mike Ryan and Billy Corben, with a couple of jabs from Greg Cote. Then Edgerrin James joins us after finishing up his domino game with Domino, Papi, and Jeremy to discuss the U's return to prominence, the best UM athletes, and Dan's general awkwardness. You won't even believe how bad Dan's idea is during this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"REVENGGGAAAAAAA! INDIANAAAAAA! MENDOOZZZZZAAAAA!" It's time for a Hungry-Off with Tío Greg and Tío Zas as we celebrate how Mike Ryan was, is, and will forever remain right about everything related to the University of Miami Hurricanes football program. Today's cast: Dan, Greg, Zas, Chris, Jack Schitt, Mike, Roy, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'm sorry to chime in finally." JuJu explains to Dan why Mike Ryan, as always, is right, and he delivers the Top 5 People Justin Herbert Reminded Him Of Last Night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I've got no shame in my game." Zaslow determines what Journalism is, Mike Ryan determines if Indiana has been cheating, and Tony... well, Tony delivers football takes from inside a sex shop. It's been a weird day. But don't worry, you won't see any STs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"So, we're not gonna talk about the Edward Cabrera trade?" It's finally here: the biggest game in 20 years. Mike Ryan joins us from Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl, and while we want to spend the next 24 hours live, doing nothing but celebrating sports, there are some more important things happening in this country that can't be ignored. Today's cast: Dan, Amin, Chris, Jeremy, and Roy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices