Adtech Unfiltered

In this episode, former Discover media and audience strategy leader Clare Liston joins host Noor Naseer to break down how top marketers actually evaluate adtech and martech partners.   From avoiding "shiny object" syndrome to pressure-testing vendors with direct questions, Clare shares a practical framework for choosing tech that drives real business outcomes. She unpacks why most adoption is reactive, how to think about ROI within working media, why human credibility matters more than jargon, and more.

In this episode of Adtech Unfiltered, Malorie Benjamin, Chief Transformation Officer at Dixon Schwabl + Company, joins host Noor Naseer to unpack how the agency pitch process is evolving. She shares how data, AI, and predictive modeling are reshaping the way agencies approach new business, why many clients are still stuck on last-click attribution, and how transparency can build trust in programmatic buying. Malorie also explores the growing pressure on CMOs to adopt AI, how agencies can simplify complex tech for clients, and what truly sets agency pitches apart today. The discussion offers a candid look at what it takes to win modern agency pitches.

Yousef Kattan, Founder and CEO of Truth Marketing, joins this episode of Adtech Unfiltered for a candid conversation about the state of measurement and attribution. From the myth of last-click to the limits of a so-called "single source of truth," Yousef explores how the industry is evolving—and what it will take to get measurement right.   Together with host Noor Naseer, Kattan unpacks privacy regulation, AI-driven modeling, MTA's future, and the growing responsibility agencies have to educate clients. As imperfect data, platform discrepancies, and CFO scrutiny intensify, this episode offers a timely conversation on strengthening measurement strategy.

Innovation gets thrown around a lot in advertising—but what does it actually mean inside an agency? In this episode of AdTech Unfiltered, we sit down with Savannah Westbrock, Head of Agency Solutions at Radar Analytics, to unpack how agencies can spot real opportunities for change, avoid hype-driven distractions, and build innovation that truly helps clients. From "desire paths" to pilot programs, Savannah shares practical frameworks for testing new ideas, improving workflows, and using AI to accelerate creative and media performance.

Patchwork privacy fixes and workarounds are failing brands and advertisers. Liz Emery, co-founder of Vyvr, is tackling the adtech industry's battle with signal loss and compliance challenges. She joins host Noor Naseer to share critical lessons from the privacy trenches, practical advice for avoiding legal risks, and her vision for building data infrastructure that's ready for whatever comes next—from AI to new privacy laws and beyond.

What happens when media, ethics, and performance finally align?   Chad Hickey, CEO of values-based advertising solutions company Givsly, joins host Noor Naseer to unpack why investing in responsible media makes sense not only ethically, but strategically. From evolving consumer expectations around brand responsibility to the ways advertisers can turn purpose into measurable ROI, this conversation explores the future of values-based advertising.

Darrick Li of media planning data platform Guideline joins host Noor Naseer to unpack the big shifts reshaping media planning and buying. From brands bringing planning in-house with the help of technology, to the evolving role of data in smarter decision-making, Darrick highlights where advertisers need to be putting their attention.   This episode also explores key trends in retail media, CTV and cross-platform measurement, as well as how AI is helping teams unlock insights and accelerate strategy in an increasingly complex ecosystem.

In this episode, adtech consultant Peter Crofut (formerly with Wurl) joins host Noor Naseer to unpack audience discovery and other evolutions in the world of connected TV.   From avoiding mismatched ad moments to creating emotionally resonant connections, Peter highlights the benefits of going beyond premium audiences by focusing on premium moments, too. He also shares how FAST channels are reshaping perceptions of premium content and how AI is unlocking new levels of contextual targeting. He and host Noor Naseer discuss challenges around measurement, attribution, and privacy, as well as the roles of innovation and interactivity in shaping the future of CTV advertising.  

Curation isn't just a buzzword—it's become a foundational piece of programmatic strategy.   In this episode, Filippo Gramigna, co-CEO of Onetag, joins host Noor Naseer to break down what curation really means and the critical role it plays for buyers, sellers, and the entire programmatic ecosystem. He shares his perspective on how curation addresses issues like signal loss, DSP inefficiencies, and inventory waste while also driving better outcomes and price dynamics for both sides of the marketplace.

How can publishers reclaim online conversations from walled gardens and build thriving, brand-owned communities—while attracting advertisers and users alike? Jim Daily, CEO of OpenWeb, joins host Noor Naseer to discuss why moderation remains essential to fostering safe, productive dialogue for both consumers and advertisers. From tackling toxic comment sections to creating decentralized, publisher-level social platforms, Jim shares how OpenWeb is pioneering a "social layer" for the open internet. He also shares how this approach helps publishers reduce reliance on search and social traffic, drive engagement and monetize responsibly. 

In this episode, Ian Forrester—founder of creative effectiveness platform DAIVID—joins host Noor Naseer to discuss why traditional creative testing is too slow and costly for today's high-volume ad world.   Ian explains how AI-powered creative data can measure attention, emotion, and memory at scale, helping brands quickly identify what works and link creative quality to business outcomes. He also shares his take on striking the right balance between data and intuition, the cultural nuances of emotional response, and how creative insights can unite brand and performance marketing.  

Greg Sherrill, VP of Demand at Magnite, joins AdTech Unfiltered to dig into the current state of programmatic inventory, transparency in fee structures, and smarter supply path optimization strategies.   Greg shares insights on streamlining partnerships, rethinking curation, and balancing performance goals with sustainability efforts. From addressing fragmentation to navigating live sports access to advancing data-driven targeting in a post-cookie landscape, this conversation offers valuable perspective for anyone looking to simplify their programmatic stack and deliver better outcomes.

In this episode, Ali Mack, VP of AdTech at Experian, joins AdTech Unfiltered to explore how marketers can future-proof their targeting strategies as cookies fade and consumer privacy expectations rise.   Ali sits down with host Noor Naseer to unpack the shift from a single-source identity model to a more flexible, multi-signal approach rooted in cleaner, more organized first-party data. As identity continues to evolve, this episode delivers perspective for staying adaptive in a fragmented ecosystem.

What media type offers advertisers access to emotionally-charged audiences and rivals the viewership of tentpole events like the Olympics? In this episode, Rob Christensen, Global EVP at Vevo, joins host Noor Naseer to explore the often-overlooked power of music videos in today's advertising ecosystem.   Rob unpacks how music intersects with culture, the influence of artist fandoms, and the growing role of nostalgia and platform-specific behaviors in shaping CTV strategies and ad formats. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how music videos are reshaping video advertising and driving deeper audience engagement.

While Ari Paparo may not be the AdTechGod, he's undeniably a defining voice in the industry—highly visible, well-regarded, and widely followed. Ari, founder of Marketecture Media and former CEO of Beeswax, is now debuting his first book, Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance. He joins host Noor Naseer to discuss the book and the impact of storytelling in adtech.

In this episode, Lara Krug, CMO of the Kansas City Chiefs, joins Adtech Unfiltered to break down how one of the NFL's most iconic franchises approaches marketing in a time of rapid innovation. From Taylor Swift headlines to immersive fan experiences, Lara huddles up with host Noor Naseer to share how the Chiefs turn big moments into long-term brand equity. Tune in for insights on balancing tradition with innovation, why storytelling drives strategy, and how the team stays culturally relevant while honoring their legacy.

In this episode, Tameka Kee, SVP of Programming & Operations at the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM), joins Adtech Unfiltered to unpack the state of media measurement.   From CTV to attention metrics and synthetic data to privacy compliance, Tameka explains how CIMM brings together platforms, publishers, agencies, and more to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges. Listen in for expert insights around why last-touch attribution is outdated, how value exchange must drive data usage, and why nerds run the show when it comes to measurement.

In this episode, Nova Chief Commercial Officer Matt Barash joins host Noor Naseer to challenge how the advertising industry works on a fundamental level.   As agencies undergo seismic shifts and battle inefficiency, Matt argues that workflow is more than an operational layer: it's a business system of record. He explores the disconnect between creative, media, and tech teams, the hidden costs of outdated tools, and why most adtech platforms undervalue the infrastructure agencies rely on. From the rise of AI copilots to the future of real-time creative optimization, this episode unpacks how marketing organizations can either evolve or be left behind.

What makes an ad "acceptable"? And who gets to decide? In this episode, Terry Taouss, President of the Acceptable Ads Committee (AAC), joins host Noor Naseer to explore why user experience is at the heart of ad standardization.   Terry discusses the AAC's research-driven approach to setting ad standards, how the committee balances industry needs with user rights, and common misconceptions about ad blocking. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of sustainable, user-first advertising.

From the rise of ad-supported streaming and direct-to-glass strategies to shifting consumer behavior driving FAST adoption, the world of TV advertising is evolving, well...fast.   In this episode, Tony Marlow, CMO of LG Ad Solutions, joins host Noor Naseer to unpack the TV trends marketers can't ignore in the CTV-first era. Listen in to gain insights around shoppable ads, measurement, AI-fueled creative and segmentation, and how marketers can better plan and optimize campaigns in an increasingly fragmented TV landscape.

Fragmentation in the marketing industry isn't new—but the pressure to make faster, smarter decisions in today's increasingly complex landscape is. In this episode, Greg Dolan, CEO and co-founder of Keen Decision Systems, joins host Noor Naseer to discuss how marketing mix modeling (MMM) is evolving to meet these challenges.   Dolan outlines how breaking down marketing silos with a top-down and bottom-up approach can drive better decisions, collaboration, and results across teams and organizations. He and Noor also explore why real-time insights and holistic measurement are critical in a world of shrinking budgets and exploding channels.

Is too much tech undermining your marketing strategy?   In an era where there seems to be a tech point solution for everything, hear why it's critical to build a strong strategic foundation first before layering on technology and automation.   Tash Walker, founder of global research agency The Mix, joins host Noor Naseer to explore how marketers are mistaking data for insight, and why chasing short-term media metrics can derail long-term brand growth. Together, they break down what it takes to craft strong, human-centered strategies in a fragmented media landscape—and why it's time to rethink how much thinking we're outsourcing to our tools.

Host Noor Naseer sits down with author, podcaster, and ad industry visionary Rishad Tobaccowala to discuss how leaders should be rethinking work in today's adtech landscape. Rishad explores how work has fundamentally changed, details the evolving priorities of the modern workforce, and shares why the adtech industry must broaden its perspective to stay relevant. Listen in for candid conversation and actionable advice on navigating the future of work in advertising and adtech.

In the fast-evolving world of programmatic media and adtech, staying informed is key to advertising success. In this episode, U of Digital Founder Shiv Gupta joins host Noor Naseer to discuss how advertisers need sources of credible information to build sound adtech perspective. Gupta explores how education can help advertisers adapt to rapid industry evolutions, from AI-driven programmatic advertising to evolving privacy regulations. This episode equips advertisers with the mindset shift needed to stay competitive as changes like these redefine the advertising ecosystem.

In a time of obsession over AI and automation, are too many media buyers choosing to set it and forget it? Albert Thompson, Managing Director of Digital Innovation at Walton Issacson, thinks so.   In this episode, Thompson shares how bringing more human insight to programmatic campaigns is vital for optimal media performance. Together with host Noor Naseer, he explores how buyers can blend automation with human expertise to drive more successful campaigns.

In today's dynamic advertising landscape, media buyers must navigate a complex web of partner relationships, buying decisions and shifting industry trends. In this episode of Adtech Unfiltered, Shelby Saville, Chief Executive Officer at Starcom US, shares valuable insights from her time serving as Chief Investment Officer at Publicis Media, US. Together with host Noor Naseer, Saville discusses her approach to partner engagement, what drives investment strategies, and how buying teams can adapt to stay ahead. Her candid perspective offers actionable lessons for both buyers and sellers looking to succeed in an ever-evolving ecosystem.

In this episode of AdTech Unfiltered, Beau Davis, seasoned mobile sales leader and co-founder of sales consultancy Futureproofd, shares insights into the challenges sellers face in today's advertising ecosystem.   Davis explores strategies for overcoming these obstacles, from longer sales cycles and less face time with clients to growing skepticism from buyers. Together with host Noor Naseer, he discusses what sellers need to know before securing meetings and how to better connect with ad agencies, particularly holding companies.

As advertisers lose more and more classic signals like cookies and MAIDs, adopting effective alternatives for targeting and attribution is more crucial than ever.   In this episode, Vince Voiro, Sr. Director of Connectivity & Ecosystem at LiveRamp, shares the latest on one of these alternative solutions: identity resolution. Together with host Noor Naseer, Voiro explores what identity resolution is, what data is needed to enable it, how it can improve activations and measurement workflows, and more.

In the context of today's quickly evolving advertising landscape, agencies must keep pace with the rapid growth of digital media and adtech to meet their clients' needs. Brands are demanding deeper insights and expertise around which platforms to invest in, how to leverage first-party data for greater impact, and more.   In this episode, John Lods, CEO of the agency Arm Candy, shares his thoughts on navigating these complexities. Together with host Noor Naseer, Lods explores how agencies can stay ahead of the curve, evaluate new technologies, and offer meaningful, data-driven advice that sets their clients up for success.

Advertisers and brands are hungry to capitalize on AI. But attempts to market and adopt the technology have grown so omnipresent that it seems the industry has skipped past gaining a solid understanding of what AI actually is.   Alex Castrounis is the Founder and CEO of Why of AI, an AI consultancy that educates and advises businesses on investing in AI in impactful ways. In this episode, he lays out the foundational knowledge marketers need to effectively harness this much hyped emerging technology.

Automation is an oft-mentioned word that can mean many different things in advertising. As the Founder and Chief Product Officer of automation solutions organization Fluency, Eric Mayhew has made it his purpose to improve how people buy digital media. He joins host Noor Naseer to highlight how automation and AI can reduce low-value manual labor, minimize friction in workflows and help people and organizations unleash themselves from the laborious aspects of media buying.

In this episode, host Noor Naseer delves into the intricacies of Supply Path Optimization (SPO) and Header Bidding with Basis Technologies VP of Product (DSP) Ian Trider. He sheds light on the supply path's crucial role in impactful programmatic media buying. Ian explains how this strategy enhances transparency and efficiency in the digital advertising supply chain. The episode explores how advertisers can benefit from selecting optimal paths to reach their target audiences while minimizing costs and fraud. 

What does it take to uncover what's really going on in adtech? A whole lot of effort that not every advertising professional knows they need to put forth. In a fast-growing multibillion dollar industry, it's increasingly challenging to discern truth from the carefully crafted narratives propagated by ad solution providers. In this episode, industry thought leader and AdProfs founder Ratko Vidakovic joins host Noor Naseer to discuss how to find and distinguish adtech truths from not-so-hidden agendas.

After a dip in ad spend in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns, digital out-of-home is back in a big way, with programmatic DOOH (pDOOH) projected to be a billion dollar category by the end of next year.   In this episode, Ian Dallimore, VP of Digital Growth and GM of Programmatic at Lamar Advertising, joins host Noor Naseer to discuss what digital and programmatic buyers should know about this channel, from misconceptions to big opportunities.

While many players in the advertising industry have reprioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion in the past few years, underrepresentation of historically marginalized communities in programmatic media inventory is an ongoing problem.    President of Advertising at Group Black, Kerel Cooper, is working to change that by building a publisher collective that aggregates programmatic inventory focused on reaching Black audiences. In this episode, Kerel discusses what advertisers and marketers can do to support the advancement of the Black media ecosystem.

To navigate the growing complexity of digital marketing and the rising importance of first-party data, marketers are deepening their tech stacks. In particular, more brands are considering investing in a customer data platform, or CDP. In this episode, Cory Munchbach, CEO of CDP company BlueConic, breaks down the use cases for a CDP, how to identify if a brand is well-positioned to leverage one, and best practices to help marketers reap the rewards of this popular but complex tool.

This recent era of uncertainty leaves little room for marketers who inadvertently hinder lifetime customer value. In this month's episode, Vera Shafiq, VP of Digital Strategy at Location 3, explores how and why advertisers must rethink turnkey but shortsighted marketing and media tactics that curb long-term success. Her conversation with host Noor Naseer touches on strategies for generating scalable and sustainable results for agencies and brands. 

Nearly a decade after its debut, programmatic in-housing is having a moment. Many brands and agencies that buy programmatic media are expressing a renewed interest in bringing those capabilities in-house. The resurgence has organizations doing a deep evaluation on what in-housing means to them and determining what they seek to achieve by pursuing it. Host Noor Naseer chats with Raashee Gupta Erry, principal and founder of UpLevel Digital Media Consulting, about how an organization can determine if in-housing is right for them. They explore the many ways to interpret what in-housing can entail, discuss who needs to be involved when considering the possibility, and much more.

Marketers in the cannabis space face a host of unique challenges. From navigating advertising regulations, to reframing stigmas, to understanding under-researched audience segments, the opportunities presented by cannabis are accompanied by significant hurdles. Sam Hollander, Chief Digital Officer at Enlighten, joined the podcast this month to share what he's learned building an advertising framework for the largest digital retail and digital marketing company in cannabis. Listen in to learn why education should be a priority for cannabis marketers, what first steps marketers should take before launching a campaign, which consumer profiles they should pay attention to, and more.

Finding a mentor is difficult in any industry, but the adtech world poses its own unique set of challenges for those seeking guidance in an ever-evolving field. Renowned adtech sales leader, executive advisor, and AdTech Personality of the Year nominee Matt Barash has been a longtime beneficiary of mentorship and enjoys mentoring others as well. In this episode, he chats with host Noor Naseer about how to find well-suited mentors, how to make the most of the relationship, and reasons to become a mentor as you grow in your career.

After years of working at agencies in the digital media industry, Helene Parker decided to forge her own path and build a programmatic consultancy in 2019. In the few years since she became an entrepreneur, Helene has gained hard-and-fast insights about what works best to grow her business. In this episode, Parker shares critical professional lessons to engage and retain clients, advice for anyone thinking of starting their own programmatic consultancy, and reflections on the upsides of leaving the traditional nine-to-five. 

The adtech industry has been working through a 'Great Resignation' this year as marketing professionals leave their current positions and seek new ones that better cater to a diverse array of inclusive needs. Noor speak with Corean Canty, the COO of talent platform We Are Rosie about the current talent landscape and what organizations must bring to the table to best appeal to sought-after professionals. 

Even with Google's recent decision to delay the retirement of third party cookies in Chrome until 2023, the loss of numerous longstanding ad identifiers still looms large. While brands and advertisers may have more breathing room to figure out alternative solutions, the quest for finding those alternatives demands dedicated and ongoing attention in 2021. Angelina Eng, VP of Addressability and Measurement at the IAB, shares her thoughts on the technical maneuvers that advertisers must take on to navigate a rapidly approaching future with far fewer reliable identifiers.

Today's digital agency landscape is hyper-competitive. With swift shifts in technology, changing privacy laws, the sharp rise of new platforms and competitive disruptors, it's more challenging than ever to maintain an agency's success. For perspective on this topic, we speak with former digital agency president and partner Mitch Joel about his experience building, running and selling agency Twist Image (to WPP). Joel shares his thoughts on meeting client expectations, managing talent, assessing revenue models, and more.

The word "innovative" gets thrown around a lot in ad tech. But what does it really take to consistently deliver innovation that resonates with advertising clients? Walter Geer III shares how he empowers his team to keep innovation at the forefront of approaching client business. He also discusses his passions for mentorship, DEI, and connecting authentically with his growing social media following. 

With an onslaught of data privacy updates stemming from legislation and big tech, once-reliable targeting tactics are rapidly diminishing. Marketers must consider the loss of cookies, and find new ways to target audiences. Staying up-to-date on new regulations and advertising implications is no easy task. But for Pedro Pavon, who oversees Privacy, Data Policy, and Advertising at Facebook, it's a daily challenge. In this episode, Pavon shares his views on consumer privacy laws and how advertisers must plan for a cookieless future.

In recent years, many advertisers have considered bringing programmatic media buying in-house. For others, a lack of infrastructure and support makes it difficult to take the plunge. In this episode, Centro's EVP of Media Services and Operations shares the different ways advertisers can approach in-housing, as well as how to best prepare beforehand. Finally, she shares how advertising professionals can enhance their careers in today's crowded and fast-evolving media environment.

These days, professional development can feel more challenging than ever before. Many professionals are experiencing fatigue from working remotely for months, yet they still understand the need to develop their careers and skills in uncertain times. Accomplished tech leader, speaker, and author Jeffrey Smith joins the podcast to discuss finding new ways to grow during COVID-19, what authentic tech leadership looks like, and how to not let the pandemic—or your mindset—hold you back from career growth.

Staying on top of the tricks of the trade as a media buyer has become steadily more complicated. With so much emphasis on programmatic buying and self-service adtech solutions, an updated education on the latest is hard to maintain. As the leader of industry-recognized adtech client education program Centro Certified, Christine Kim finds ways to do it and helps clients do the same. Christine provides insight on why curriculum-based adtech education programs are so important and will continue to be, even once eLearning and social distancing aren't required quite like they have been in 2020.

In reaction to the current worldwide social movement against racial inequality, many companies are scrambling to improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies. In this episode, DEI executive and educator Veronica Appleton provides a primer and shares her perspective on addressing DEI in the greater advertising and marketing landscape.