Horizon Media vs Rise Interactive

Video Podcasts Rise, But Audio Remains Key: Horizon Media

In an interview, Maria Tullin, SVP of Performance Audio and Podcast Strategy at Horizon Media, discusses the growing trend of video podcasts and their impact on the audio advertising industry. She emphasizes that while video podcasts are gaining popularity, traditional audio should not be neglected. Tullin highlights the challenges of attribution, particularly with YouTube simulcasts, and advises that audio budgets should not be solely diverted to video. She advocates for a balanced approach, considering both audio and video podcast opportunities to avoid oversaturation of top shows. The interview also touches on career advice for women in media.

• Maria Tullin is SVP of Performance Audio and Podcast Strategy at Horizon Media.
• Video podcasts are increasingly being licensed and produced by streaming services and cable networks.
• Tullin highlights challenges in measuring attribution for YouTube simulcasts.

Holiday Value is More Than Price, Say Industry Leaders

In an ADWEEK House group chat co-hosted with Fetch, industry leaders discussed how consumers are becoming more selective in their holiday spending, weighing price, quality, convenience, rewards, and brand experience. Jacqueline Willemsen of Fetch noted that discounts alone don't earn attention; brands must create relationships. Jessica Brown of WPP Media highlighted decision fatigue as a hurdle, emphasizing the need for easy decisions. Alex Stone of Horizon Media pointed out that consumers want to 'win' with every purchase, factoring in rewards. The panel also debated metrics: Amie Owen of Flywheel cautioned against over-reliance on ROAS, while Lauren Newman of Button stressed lifetime value over incrementality. The consensus: holiday campaigns should focus on building lasting customer relationships beyond the season.

• Fetch's data shows consumers are spending more but changing what they buy to get better value.
• WPP Media's Jessica Brown says brands must make it easy for consumers to decide, citing decision fatigue.
• Horizon Media's Alex Stone says consumers try to 'win with every purchase,' considering rewards.

Agencies Rethink Ownership of Agentic AI and Data

At Programmatic IO in New York, agency leaders debated the future of data and AI tool ownership. Executives from S4 Capital, Horizon Media, Dentsu, and WPP agreed that agencies should avoid owning client data and AI models to maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest. They highlighted a shift from FTE-based compensation to outcome-based pricing and licensing AI tools to clients. The panel also discussed AI's impact on DSPs, with WPP's McAndrew noting a move toward agent-to-agent interactions and increased supply-chain compression. Sorrell warned of Big Tech platforms like Meta becoming end-to-end threats, pushing agencies to become validators. The discussion reflects a broader industry trend away from data ownership, contrasting with Publicis's acquisition of LiveRamp.

• Agency leaders at Programmatic IO agreed agencies should not own client data or AI models.
• Dentsu predicts algorithms will drive 75% of global ad spend by 2028.
• Sir Martin Sorrell criticized Publicis's acquisition of LiveRamp, questioning its neutrality.

Rise named AdExchanger Awards finalist for AI-powered search measures

Rise Interactive has been named a finalist in the 2026 AdExchanger Awards for its AI-powered search measures. The announcement was made on September 1, 2026.