AI, Retail Media & First-Party Data: What Everyone Is Really Saying After RampUp 2026

I just got back from LiveRamp’s RampUp conference, one of the most interesting gatherings in commerce media right now. If you work in retail media, data collaboration, or advertising measurement, this event has become a must-watch moment for where the industry is heading. In 2026, the big theme running through the conference halls was offsite retail media and the role of first-party data. But the real insights came from the hallway conversations.I grabbed a few industry peers and asked them for their honest takeaways from RampUp. We talked about the AI inflection point everyone is feeling, the uncertainty around agentic AI, the real pace of disruption in retail media, and why data might still be the industry’s biggest missed opportunity. If you want a quick pulse check on how leaders across the ecosystem are thinking about what’s next, this episode gives you exactly that.This episode is sponsored by Mirakl AdsTimeline[00:00] – My overview of RampUp 2026 and why first-party data and offsite retail media dominated the conversation.[01:00] – Ian Simpson (Sensor Tower) shares why the industry feels like it’s at a strange AI inflection point, with excitement, uncertainty, and plenty of unanswered questions.[02:15] – The vibe shift from two years ago: instead of scrambling to solve the cookie-less future, many companies now feel like they’re “holding their breath” waiting to see what happens next.[02:45] – Sean Crawford (SMG North America) weighs in on agentic AI and why it’s unlikely to disrupt retail media or shopping behavior overnight.[04:00] – Nicole Lesinski (Nestlé USA) talks about collaborating with partners like DoorDash and how brands are using data clean rooms to turn insights into action.[07:00] – Praveen Menon explains how AI could eventually transform media planning, making it possible to test and execute strategies in minutes instead of days.Links & ResourcesFollow Nicole Lesinski, E-Commerce Strategy Lead, Frozen Division, Nestle USA, on LinkedInFollow Praveen Menon, former Senior Director of Product Management, Bridg, on LinkedInFollow Sean Crawford, Managing Director, SMG North America, on LinkedInFollow Ian Simpson, SVP of Innovation & Strategy, Sensor Tower on LinkedInRead my related articles:Dark Search, Broken Signals, and What Comes Next for Retail MediaWhy OpenAI's Ad Network Should Concern RMNsRufus Is Already Reshaping How Amazon Shoppers DecideJoin me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am ET Tuesday March 17, for our next LinkedIn Live on Sponsored Product Ads: shelf space or ad space?. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!Atlanta-based retail media professionals: Wednesday, April 1 is the next In-Person Atlanta Happy Hour! RSVP here.Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn