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…

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, mi…

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 adverti…

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…

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 pr…

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 collect…

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 identif…

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 …

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 i…

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 shar…

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…

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 lesso…

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…

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…

I talk with Max Shafiq (my husband), who is an Enterprise Agile Coach and he explains his role and how Agile brings value to businesses. We also discuss the concept of Agile Marketing and ways in which businesses can start using Agile Marketing to work smarter! Episode links: USF Digital Marketing Certificate USF Digital Marketing Certificate Disco…

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 expe…

What you need to know about CTV advertising to make an educated decision on whether it's right for your marketing strategy. Episode links: USF Digital Marketing Certificate USF Digital Marketing Certificate Discount Code: SG30 Connect with Vera: Email me at hello@verashafiq.com Visit my website at VeraShafiq.com Connect with me on LinkedIn Follow m…

80% of people who click through to your website are not ready to convert during that visit. But 20% of them are. Why is this not reflected in the average conversion rate of 4%? It's all down to the post-click experience. Listen to this episode to find out how you can streamline your post-click experiences and the types of tools and automation that …

What is marketing attribution and how can we get closer to a true model? What are Unified Marketing Measurement, Marketing Mix Modeling and Multi Touch Attribution? Join me for a discussion on a topic that has kept many a marketer up at night! Episode links: USF Digital Marketing Certificate USF Digital Marketing Certificate Discount Code: SG30 Con…

What are Google's new Core Web Vitals and how do they fit into the Page Experience update launching in mid-2021? How do you test your website and get it ready for optimal performance against these new ranking factors? All the answers are here! Episode links: Google Page Experience Documentation USF Digital Marketing Certificate USF Digital Marketin…

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 aut…

This podcast is for you if you want to find out how to advance your learning of and be more immersed in today’s digital marketing landscape. The USF Digital Marketing Certificate was developed for business professionals and offers a comprehensive course on several key elements of Digital Marketing - Strategy, Social, Search, Automation, Content, An…

What are the differences between Zero, 1st, 2nd and 3rd party data? How should you structure your marketing strategy to make the best use of each? In this episode, I explain how to think of each of these types of data as part of a "data funnel", give tips on how to gather each and talk about why shifting the focus from 3rd party to the other types …

In this episode, I talk with Crista Grasso, Founder of the Lean Out Method, which she uses to help entrepreneurs simplify success, get off the hustle hamster wheel, and run lean businesses where they optimize what's working and eliminate anything not adding value to their clients and profit to their business. We discuss how the Lean Out Method can …

An in-depth chat with Brad Moran, Co-Founder and CEO of CitrusAd - a retail media platform. We talk about how the platform was born, how marketers can leverage retail media to drive performance and what the future holds for retail media. Episode links: CitrusAd Connect with Vera: Email me at hello@verashafiq.com Visit my website at VeraShafiq.com C…

Let's talk about NFTs, Co-Branding on IGTV and Nostalgic Marketing on TikTok! These are hot topics that featured on MarketingDive.com on March 18 2021. Episode links: Charmin Jumps on NFT Trend WholeFoods Pairs with Meditation App Headspace How Ocean Spray, NFL Embed Nostalgia in TikToks Connect with Vera: Email me at hello@verashafiq.com Visit my …

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, …

In this first episode of Season 2, I discuss the Digital Flywheel of Success that includes Technology, Customer Experience and Digital Advertising as momentum-drivers. Episode links: The Digital Flywheel of Success Blog Post Martech Landscape 2020 Connect with Vera: Email me at hello@verashafiq.com Visit my website at VeraShafiq.com Connect with me…

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…

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…

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…

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 landsc…

While most consumers are familiar with ads that promote the sale of products and services, many may be less familiar with cause-based campaigns—campaigns that the market the missions and movements of cause-based organizations. For some perspective on this topic, we speak to Jordan Ruden, Co-Founder of cause-driven ad agency Craft and Commerce, and …

The subscription box market is worth an estimated $15 billion, according to McKinsey. In addition to the convenience factor, this industry's radical growth is partly due to our transition into a post-COVID world. Dustin McAdams, CEO of petcare subscription service PupJoy, joins the podcast to share what he's learned in his pursuit of offering the b…

Even with social distancing feeling like the new normal, advertising and marketing professionals must continue grappling with the constraints a 'work from home' lifestyle puts on their professional and personal lives. The real-life distance from colleagues and clients, increased connection via technology, and general state of uncertainty around the…

With the world changing drastically these past few weeks, this episode on creating and sharing ideas is even more relevant. Citizens across the globe are faced with a new normal as they deal with abrupt changes to both their personal and professional lives. The silver lining for many marketing and advertising professionals is the opportunity to ref…

Have you ever wanted to pursue an executive leadership role, but didn't know where to start? This month's episode features seasoned advertising veteran Sean Finnegan, who has years of fearless leadership experiences to share. Whether it’s climbing the ladder at an organization or founding a new business, Sean Finnegan has led teams of all sizes acr…

Whether you’re an ad buyer yourself, or just invested in the success of your company's media buying, you’ve probably wondered how the best of the best invest their media dollars. Luke Lambert spends a lot of time making those investment decisions. As the Head of Programmatic at OMD, Luke is responsible for curating world-class capabilities in progr…

In an age where innovation is king, it can be shocking to see advertisers and agencies stick to the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Yet, media buyers are often stuck using the same tools and systems that were in vogue over a decade ago. Centro President Tyler Kelly has a different approach: He knows that the system is broken and is alread…

James Schwarz is tasked to do a whole lot more than sell the American dream. He’s helping people fulfill the goal of buying and selling property across the globe in over 100 countries. He’s also working to attract and retain realtors by providing innovative marketing tools that help close deals. As VP of Marketing & Media Strategies at RE/MAX, Jame…

Since 2017, Anas Ghazi has acted as the CEO of WPP’s Data Alliance and is also a growth office for Kantar. Most shocking about Anas’ current role is the fact that he’s only been in the advertising and marketing industry for a total of 6 years. Anas speaks with us about his original career aspirations, his fascination, and dedication to harnessing t…

Things are changing rapidly in the world of location advertising. For years, advertisers focused on one aspect of location: the granularity with which consumers could be reached. It’s understandable; targeting consumers at the right place and time can drive real world action, a key goal for many advertisers. With the urging of privacy advocates and…

When was the last time you saw an ad that provided an experience worth remembering? Many advertisers prioritize technology or targeting for their media campaigns, over their actual campaign messaging. Too often, marketers obsess over reaching the right audience, without equal consideration for the experiences they’re delivering. As VP of Business I…

The word “innovation” gets thrown around a lot in advertising. Despite the desire to think outside the box, advertisers and marketers don’t always walk the walk as well as they talk the talk. How can we prioritize innovation to better serve our clients and our careers? On this episode of AdTech Unfiltered, we talk to a seasoned marketer about how t…

This month we'll be talking to Publicis Groupe's Chief Growth Officer Rishad Tobaccowala about how to stay innovative in today's fast-moving advertising world.

Whether your media budget is big or small, it’s always worthwhile to review how efficiently your campaigns are spending media dollars. For vetted tips on how to spend more effectively, we turn to Centro’s expert, Laura Perritte. As National VP of Client and Media Services, Laura is a pro when it comes to maximizing client investments and pushing wo…

Next month on Adtech Unfiltered, how can companies of all sizes get scrappy with their advertising?

Influencers have become a lasting fixture of the social media marketing world—but in a loosely regulated space, marketers are wary of jumping into a pool of unknowns. Catapulting into the spotlight in the 2010s, influencers have become a valuable component of the social media marketing world. Once a niche space targeting younger audiences, influenc…

This shift in the advertising industry’s focus can be largely credited to a heightened programmatic mindset, and with that—a pressing expectation for more automated processes in advertising. Centro’s Founder and CEO, Shawn Riegsecker, discusses the impact that automated systems have had on the way advertisers buy media, client expectations around t…

In this episode, I discuss the book Traction by Gino Wickman and the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) that he describes. It outlines the 6 Key Components of a business: Vision People Data Issues Process Traction and is a comprehensive methodology on which you can scale and grow a business. Episode links: Traction by Gino Wickman What the Heck…