Episodes

  • Domenic Venuto on Trust as the New Media Currency in an AI Driven Advertising World

    Domenic Venuto on Trust as the New Media Currency in an AI Driven Advertising World
    Dec 18 2025
    In episode 4 of the Brand Trust series sponsored by Mozilla Ads, Jeremy Bloom and AdTechGod sit down with Horizon Media Chief Product and Data Officer Domenic Venuto, who unpacks why trust has become central to modern advertising. He explains how Horizon’s AI native Blue Platform uses first-party data enrichment and transparent LLM workflows to speed up insight and decision-making without turning media into a black box. The group also digs into privacy-first browsers, shifting consumer search behavior, and why agencies must prove trust both during upfront diligence and in day-to-day operations. Finally, Venuto shares a pragmatic view of AI as both smarter and riskier, and argues that ethical, observable systems are the path to protecting brands and improving outcomes. Takeaways Trust is no longer a brand value alone; it is a business requirement driving media and technology decisions AI accelerates insight and decision-making, but only works when transparency and data integrity are built in Clients demand visibility into how AI models work, what data is used, and how outputs are generated Privacy-first platforms and shifting consumer behavior are fundamentally changing search and personalization Horizon’s hands-on keys approach removes delays and empowers clients with the same tools used internally Ethical, observable AI can reduce risk while making media buying smarter and more accountable The future of advertising depends on trust-first models becoming the industry standard Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Brand Trust Series and guest Domenic Venuto 00:49 What “trusted environments” really mean for clients today 01:15 Horizon’s AI-native Blue Platform and first-party data enrichment 02:41 Why trust matters when AI drives critical business decisions 03:33 Adapting to privacy-first browsers and rapid innovation cycles 04:38 How client expectations around trust have evolved 05:59 Operational trust and decision-making at scale 06:29 Proving trust and performance through hands-on technology access 07:28 Reinventing the agency model while keeping business personal 09:00 Is AI making media buying smarter or riskier for brand safety 10:36 Using ethical, transparent AI to rebuild trust 11:04 The future of trust-first models in advertising 11:52 Closing thoughts and sponsor acknowledgments
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    12 mins
  • Brand Trust and Performance in Modern Advertising with Natasha Shaikh and AI Privacy First Media

    Brand Trust and Performance in Modern Advertising with Natasha Shaikh and AI Privacy First Media
    Dec 16 2025
    Natasha Shaikh, Head of Paid Media Center of Excellence at Wells Fargo, joins the Brand Trust series sponsored by Mozilla Ads to unpack how brand safety has expanded beyond placement into sentiment, especially as AI shapes how brands appear to consumers. She explains why trust can break in a single ad, how subjective audiences make safety decisions harder, and why marketers must balance privacy-first environments with effective targeting. The conversation also dives into the rise of user-generated content, the challenge of distinguishing real from fake in a GenAI world, and why long-term ROI depends on pairing smart targeting with layered safeguards. Takeaways Brand safety now includes brand sentiment because AI systems influence how consumers perceive a brand. Trust can fracture instantly, and what feels unsafe is often determined by highly subjective audience beliefs. Privacy-safe media can boost trust but may limit efficient discovery of the right customers. User-generated content and GenAI blur reality, making safety controls harder and more necessary. The best path forward is balanced spending that protects environments without losing targeting performance. Chapter 00:00 Natasha explains how brand safety now goes beyond placements to include sentiment and AI-driven perception. 02:14 She shares why trust can break instantly from one ad or sponsorship because offense is subjective. 04:05 Natasha describes choosing trusted environments that match where real customers spend time. 05:46 She outlines the challenge of balancing privacy first media with effective targeting. 07:17 Natasha talks about how social and user generated content make trust harder to control. 11:26 She argues for combining precise targeting with layered safety to protect long term brand value. 13:09 The episode wraps with a look at what is next for trust focused media strategies.
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    13 mins
  • Privacy First Ads and the Future of Brand Trust with Orville McDonald from Mozilla

    Privacy First Ads and the Future of Brand Trust with Orville McDonald from Mozilla
    Dec 11 2025
    Orville McDonald, Senior Director of Ads Products at Mozilla, joins the Brand Trust series sponsored by Mozilla Ads to unpack why advertising is essential to keeping the open web alive, and why the industry must move past surveillance-based models. He explains Mozilla’s approach to “privacy plus performance,” where user choice, aggregated measurement, and new privacy-enhancing tech make ads effective without exposing people’s identities. The conversation also looks at how Firefox’s audience and long-term perspective position Mozilla to rebuild trust across digital advertising. Takeaways Advertising can fund the open web without tracking people, if measurement shifts to privacy-safe methods. User choice is the foundation of trust, and Firefox builds ads around opt-in controls and minimal data use. The path forward is not tearing down ad tech, but upgrading it with privacy-enhancing technology that still delivers ROI. Brand trust grows when products prove they put users first and make data flows transparent and respectful. Chapters 00:00 Orville’s role at Mozilla and why trusted advertising matters. 02:30 What a privacy-first ad experience looks like inside Firefox. 03:27 How targeting and measurement can work without collecting PII. 05:46 Using aggregate verification to keep ads accountable and effective. 07:54 Why advertising is core to the open web and how to remove surveillance. 10:19 Drawing the line between personalization and privacy as a human right. 12:06 Mozilla’s long game for rebuilding brand trust online.
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    14 mins
  • Brand Trust in Programmatic with Mike McNeeley of Index Exchange

    Brand Trust in Programmatic with Mike McNeeley of Index Exchange
    Dec 4 2025
    In Episode 1 of the Brand Trust series, sponsored by Mozilla Ads, Mike McNeeley, SVP of Product at Index Exchange, joins the Advertising Forum to unpack why trust and transparency are still active challenges in programmatic. The conversation covers privacy-first monetization with Mozilla Ads, the real cost of chasing cheap reach, why brand safety needs to operate faster as URLs change daily, and how premium programmatic should be defined by recognizable, trusted publishers across the open web. Takeaways Brand trust is an ongoing challenge that requires constant attention. Privacy-first advertising can still be effective without traditional tracking methods. Brand safety measures need to adapt to the fast-paced nature of content creation. Transparency in programmatic advertising varies across platforms. Marketers must balance trust and performance in their advertising strategies. The open web offers valuable opportunities for advertisers if navigated correctly. Premium programmatic includes well-known brands and quality content. Innovative partnerships can enhance advertising effectiveness and transparency. Dynamic creative solutions are becoming essential for marketers. The advertising ecosystem is becoming more complex, but offers better tools for advertisers. Chapters 00:00 Intro to the Brand Trust series and why trust and transparency still matter in programmatic. 01:42 Why Mozilla Ads' privacy safe home screen ads are an innovative publisher partnership. 02:39 Can privacy-first advertising deliver outcomes without cookie-based tracking? 04:18 How brand safety has to speed up as the open web produces massive daily URL turnover. 06:18 Where transparency still breaks in programmatic and what better reporting looks like. 07:42 Advice for CMOs planning 2026 on balancing walled gardens with the open web. 09:05 Defining premium programmatic through trusted, recognizable publishers and content.
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    11 mins
  • AI-Powered Publishing: Josh Markham on Automating Revenue with Mula

    AI-Powered Publishing: Josh Markham on Automating Revenue with Mula
    Nov 25 2025
    Josh Markham, Chief Product Officer at Mula, discusses the transformative impact of AI on product management and publisher engagement. He emphasizes the importance of automation and delegation in enhancing revenue per session for publishers. The conversation explores how Mula leverages AI to create a competitive advantage for publishers against social platforms, while maintaining editorial integrity. Markham also shares insights on the future roadmap for Mula, focusing on personalization and user engagement. Takeaways AI is democratizing product management processes. Mula focuses on increasing revenue per session for publishers. Real-time decision-making enhances user engagement. Automation should not compromise editorial voice. Mula's agents continuously optimize content delivery. The collaboration between humans and AI is essential. Publishers can leverage AI to compete with social platforms. Mula aims to personalize user experiences on the web. The future of Mula includes expanding content real estate. Building trust with publishers is crucial for successful automation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Agentic Monetization 03:08 The Role of AI in Product Management 05:47 Enhancing Publisher Engagement with Mula 08:57 Leveraging AI for Competitive Advantage 10:30 Future Roadmap and Personalization Strategies
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    11 mins
  • How AI and Simplified Tech Stacks Are Powering Publisher Monetization with Freestar and Mula

    How AI and Simplified Tech Stacks Are Powering Publisher Monetization with Freestar and Mula
    Nov 20 2025
    Heather Carver, Chief Revenue Officer at Freestar, discusses the importance of leveraging data insights for publishers, the role of AI in enhancing user engagement, and the need for simplifying tech stacks. She emphasizes the significance of metrics like RPS and RPM in driving monetization strategies and highlights the potential of integrating technologies to create personalized user experiences. Takeaways Data is only valuable if it leads to actionable insights. AI can be a powerful tool for publishers if used correctly. Personalized content can increase user engagement and dwell time. Simplifying tech stacks allows publishers to focus on quality content. Constant testing and measuring are essential for optimizing ad placements. RPS is a key metric for understanding user engagement and monetization. Publishers should prioritize user experience over short-term revenue gains. Integrating technologies can enhance monetization efforts for publishers. Fighting AI with AI can improve user experiences and retention. Building a strong brand can lead to more organic traffic. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Agentic Monetization 03:06 Harnessing Data for Publisher Success 05:53 Simplifying Tech Stacks for Publishers 08:42 Understanding RPS and RPM Metrics 11:55 The Future of Monetization with AI
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    13 mins
  • Brandon O’Neal (On3) & Stephanie Mazzamaro (Arena Group) on Building Smarter AI Communities

    Brandon O’Neal (On3) & Stephanie Mazzamaro (Arena Group) on Building Smarter AI Communities
    Nov 13 2025
    Jeremy Bloom and AdTechGod engage with guests Brandon O'Neal, Chief Revenue Officer of On3 and Stephanie Mazzamaro, Head of Programmatic, Addressability & Ops of The Arena Group to discuss the evolving landscape of digital media, the importance of community in sports publishing, and the role of innovation in ad tech. They explore how companies like Moola are shaping the future of publishing through data-driven insights and AI, emphasizing the need for meaningful audience engagement and monetization strategies. Takeaways Scaling meaningful relationships means focusing on relevance, not just reach. Encore is a centralized intelligence system that enhances user experiences. Building community is crucial for sports publishers to thrive. AI has been a part of the ecosystem for many years. Moola is innovating in the ad tech space to support publishers. Mass producing content is ineffective in today's market. The future of publishing will require hard work and adaptability. New opportunities for revenue generation are always emerging. Connecting audience and storytelling is essential for success. Data-driven insights are key to monetization strategies. Chapters 00:00 Scaling Meaningful Relationships in Digital Media 03:00 Building Community in Sports Publishing 05:57 Innovations in AdTech and Publisher Collaboration 09:04 The Future of Publishing: Insights and Predictions
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    12 mins
  • Jason White on Reinventing Digital Monetization: Inside Mula’s Agentic Future

    Jason White on Reinventing Digital Monetization: Inside Mula’s Agentic Future
    Nov 7 2025
    Jason White, CEO of Mula, discusses the concept of agentic monetization and the evolution of digital content monetization. He highlights the importance of data in creating personalized user experiences and the need for digital media publishers to adapt to changing market dynamics. The conversation explores the challenges faced by publishers and the potential for technology to enhance content delivery and audience engagement. Takeaways Agentic monetization is a hot topic in the market. Digital media publishers have relied on free traffic for too long. Personalization is crucial for user engagement. Data density can predict user behavior effectively. The evolution of technology is reshaping digital media. Publishers must adapt to become more like marketers. Content syndication can enhance audience reach. Doom scrolling reflects user engagement patterns. The future of digital media is about improving user experiences. A significant transition is underway in the digital landscape. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Agentic Monetization 02:59 The Evolution of Digital Content Monetization 06:05 The Power of Data in Personalization 08:58 Mula's Vision and Future of Digital Media 12:04 The Future of Digital Media Publishers
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    14 mins