Observed Signal · Dec 23, 2025 · Podcast Episode · Source: Marketecture · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
AI Hype and AdTech Trends, Ep. 113
Episode 113 of the AdTechGod Pod features Aaron Goldman of Mediaocean, Tony Marlow of LG Ads, and Jackelyn Keller of Jackwell Partners. The guests reflect on the past year in advertising, the impact of AI, and trends shaping 2026. The discussion covers AI hype versus reality, the importance of understanding data, attribution challenges, and the need for creativity in marketing. Takeaways emphasize AI's broad influence across industries, the often overhyped nature of AI-powered solutions, and retail media scale pressures, along with ongoing debates around attribution. Additional topics include creative optimization, AI-enabled chat ad formats, regifting trends and clean rooms in retail media, and debates around agentic commerce. The episode closes with a rapid-fire segment and holiday sign-off.
Episode discusses AI hype and adtech trends for 2026; mid-level relevance to the industry.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Episode 113 of AdTechGod Pod features Aaron Goldman (Mediaocean), Tony Marlow (LG Ads), and Jackelyn Keller (Jackwell Partners).
- The discussion covers AI hype vs reality, data understanding, attribution challenges, and creative optimization.
- Takeaways include AI's broad influence across industries, AI hype, retail media scale challenges, attribution complexity, and creative optimization importance.
- Topics touched include ads inside AI chat experiences and agentic commerce debates.
- The episode includes a rapid-fire Q&A and holiday sign-off.
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Episode 117: AI in Advertising with IAB CEO
Episode 117 of the AdTechGod Pod features David Cohen, CEO of the IAB, discussing AI’s trajectory from hype to practical use in advertising ahead of IAB ALM in Palm Springs. The conversation covers how AI is reshaping creativity, personalization, data foundations, and the cookie-deprecation narrative, with publishers, brands, and agencies facing disruption as AI becomes the interface for discovery and commerce. Cohen warns that industry fragmentation, legacy infrastructure, and a lack of clean, structured data threaten implementation unless standards and governance catch up. Takeaways highlight AI as real-world operator and growth area for 2026—CTV, commerce, and creator-driven marketing—while arguing that effectiveness should be the north star. The discussion previews how IAB ALM will steer industry priorities during rapid change.
Evolution of Ad Tech and AI Hype
Michael Berkowitz, a veteran of Spiny, BERT, Lotomy, and MediaMath, joins Marketecture’s AdTechGod podcast to discuss the evolution of advertising technology, publisher sophistication, and the migration of innovation from the U.S. to Europe. He reflects on the risks publishers face when adopting new tech, argues that AI hype in marketing is overstated with real impact likely years away, and defends the essential role of the sell-side in the ecosystem. Berkowitz also introduces Ad Aid, a concept aiming to create a more meaningful ad experience that benefits users and charities. Takeaways include the importance of trust, the resurfacing of audience attention amid social media fatigue, and the need to balance genuine innovation with authentic engagement that respects audiences. The episode chapters touch on Berkowitz's early MediaMath days, AI's current limits, and optimism for the sell side.
IAB Tech Lab CEO on Agentic AI and Ad Tech
Episode Ep. 114 features Anthony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab, discussing Agentic AI and its implications for the ad technology ecosystem. The conversation examines the current hype around AI agents in digital media buying and selling, and considers practical realities as the industry weighs efficiency gains against privacy and measurement challenges. Katsur emphasizes the need for foundational work—transparency in supply chains, robust measurement, and governance—before agentic technologies deliver breakthrough results. The discussion also covers the potential impact of AI browsers on content presentation, the future of ad operations and hiring, and how Agentic AI could augment, rather than replace, existing protocols. Takeaways stress a cautious, strategic approach to navigate evolving tools, standards, and market dynamics while acknowledging both the innovation and the risks of agentic advertising.
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