Advertise on podcast: The Big Story

Programmatic infighting reached a new peak last fall, as LinkedIn flame wars erupted over transaction IDs. OMD Worldwide Chief Media Officer Ben Hovaness, leader of a new programmatic peacekeeping group, talks through the org's goal to encourage more conversation and less conflict.

With RFPs in flux, diverse-owned media companies are finding ways to use their data to improve reach. Plus: Why we're in retail media's "potty-training" phase.

Every company wants an AI-powered product. So what do they all look like? From A/B testing and media optimization to agentic interfaces for customers, we give a rundown on AI's most popular applications in ad tech.

One reason regulators are paying more attention to data privacy? Their constituents care about this "kitchen table" issue. We open with insights from attending a duo of privacy conferences this week, the IAPP summit and IAB Public Policy & Legal event. Then, we turn to how retail media is mashing up with sports, opening up new opportunities across media and ad tech.

The NewFronts, digital video's week of splashy sales pitches, is in full swing. Our reporters share what they learned on the ground. Plus: What can ad tech learn from Data, a new off-Broadway play?

Principal-based buying is on the rise, and it's causing conflict between agencies and ad tech partners. Plus: What are sell-side agents, and how could they help publishers?

2026 is the year CTV will bridge the gap between branding and performance. Fresh off the Convergent TV World event, our team discusses the rise of performance TV, shifting live sports rights and the impact of M&A on the streaming experience in this future-facing episode.

Fees, fees, fees. The Trade Desk is facing market pressure in all directions: from rival DSPs offering lower fee structures, SSPs and agencies clashing over its OpenPath product and bearish investors disappointed with growth. Guest Sarah Caputo, founder of consultancy Fraction Method, tells us why The Trade Desk should reduce its margin and make its fees more transparent.

The strategic value of commerce data continues to rise, as Infillion snaps up Catalina. Then, a court filing reveals where agencies spend clients' money.

The Winter Olympics show us how far streaming live sports has come – and also how much linear viewership remains. Plus: CPGs are pulling back on ad spend, as they steer through economic challenges and the ripple effects of policy decisions.

OpenAI launched ads this week, making ChatGPT the newest canvas for advertising. But not before its biggest competitor, Anthropic, lambasted the decision in a Super Bowl ad.

At the IAB Annual Leadership Meeting this week, IAB CEO David Cohen demanded publishers receive payment from AI companies who are taking their content. As publishers grapple with AI redirecting the attention they receive from consumers, what's their path forward?

Prebid is on a roll. It will take charge of a seller agent, part of AdCP. Amazon's integration with Prebid is in beta. But there's one sticky point: Microsoft is not going to cache video ad creatives anymore, leaving publishers scrambling for an alternative.

Ads were going to be a "last resort" for ChatGPT, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman promised two years ago. Now, they're finally here. Omnicom Digital CEO Jonathan Nelson joins the AdExchanger editorial team to talk through what comes next.

The year ahead in commerce, with insights from the NRF Big Show conference, where retailers congregate every January. Plus, the 2026 privacy policy cheat sheet.