Advertise on podcast: Retail Media Breakfast Club

Today, I'm sharing a portion of a sharp and timely analysis from Deborah Aho Williamson, one of the most trusted voices in digital advertising and platform strategy, on why advertising inside AI-powered platforms is becoming unavoidable for certain industries. The piece is titled Should Your Industry Advertise in AI Media in 2026? from Deborah's wonderful newsletter The AI Ad Economy. Deborah shines a light on ads inside LLMs becoming a front-burner priority, and why retailers are uniquely positioned to benefit from testing AI media now. From consumer AI usage data to search ad spend trends and lower-funnel alignment, what signals matter most, and where advertisers can realistically start experimenting today, this episode runs the run the gamut of important questions sweeping through retail media.  This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why I’m sharing a guest post, and why this one matters so much[01:07] Deborah Aho Williamson’s AI ad research and the industries that should act now[02:47] The three factors that determine whether your industry is ready for AI media[04:17] Why retail stands out: search ad spend, AI usage, and category readiness[05:26] Key consumer behaviors: how shoppers use AI in retail purchase decisions[07:15] The big takeaway, and why Microsoft Copilot is the easiest entry point for LLM ads Links & Resources Read Deborah's article in full - Should Your Industry Advertise in AI Media in 2026?Subscribe to The AI Ads Economy on Substack or on LinkedInFollow Debra Aho Williamson on LinkedInRead my related articles:Ads in AI Are Older Than You ThinkChatGPT Ads Are Here. I'm Not Panicking.The 3 Ways Agentic Commerce Could Destroy Retail MediaJoin me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am Thursday Feb 5 (that's today!) for a LinkedIn Live on The Store As Media: Retail Media That's Scalable, Memorable & Worth Buying. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

I start this episode with a story from a breakfast buffet in Taipei that was so over-the-top indulgent it felt surreal. Sushi, dim sum, pastries worthy of Paris. But by day four? I suddenly became picky, critical, and began to calculate value. And in my opinion, this is the mode of retail media today. In this episode I unpack how hedonic adaptation explains the shift we’re seeing in retail media investment heading into 2026. The early excitement is gone, budgets are tightening, and brands are asking harder questions about performance, transparency, and whether the premium is actually justified. Drawing on fresh data from the Path to Purchase Institute, I break down what’s changed, where skepticism is growing, and what both brands and retail media networks need to do next if they want to avoid getting stuck in the middle. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – A luxury breakfast buffet in Taipei and the moment it became a metaphor for retail media [01:08] – Hedonic adaptation and why retail media’s novelty has officially worn off [02:16] – New 2026 data shows slowing budget growth and rising skepticism among brands [03:30] – The Retail Media Doom Loop and how reallocating trade dollars hit its limit [04:06] – The confidence gap: why more brands now see retail media as a money grab [06:27] – Measurement, attribution, and the networks proving accountability is possible [08:12] – The real takeaway for brands and RMNs as retail media enters its value era Links & Resources The full 2026 P2PI Retail Media Ratings study is now available to Path to Purchase Institute members.Read my related articles:The Retail Media Doom LoopThe Retail Media Performance Gap Is Even Wider Than We ThoughtInside Best Buy’s first ad showcase as it makes a major play for retail media budgets (The Drum)Dollar General’s new media chief targets rural America’s ‘last mile’ ad opp (The Drum)Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

The conventional wisdom says ads will ruin AI assistants i.e. the moment ChatGPT or Gemini turns commercial, trust disappears. But I’m not convinced. Today I'm sharing part of a recent conversation I had with Mike Shields from Next in Media, where I argued that ads inside LLMs could actually be better than anything we’ve seen before. But here’s the catch: if AI-powered ads really do work, they could create a serious, under-discussed problem for retail media. We dig into why LLMs may become the most context-rich ad platform ever, how that changes shopper intent data, and what it means for retailers who’ve been betting big on offsite media as their next growth engine. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why I’m skeptical of the idea that ads will automatically erode trust in AI assistants [01:10] What AI ads could look like, and why they won’t resemble traditional sponsored product units [02:15] Multimodal, hyper-relevant ads: when advertising actually feels helpful [03:15] The unique level of trust users place in LLMs (and why that matters for monetization) [05:15] The uncomfortable question: what happens to offsite retail media if LLMs own the intent data? [08:30] Why LLMs might build offsite ad businesses, and how that could undercut retailers Links & Resources Watch my full appearance on Next In Media with Mike Shields Subscribe to Next In MediaFollow Mike Shields on LinkedInRead my related articles:The 3 Ways Agentic Commerce Could Destroy Retail MediaAmazon is playing agentic commerce chicken. Other retailers should not.At NRF, Retailers Say "Bring On All The Bots"LinkedIn Live on Thursday Feb 5 at 11am ET with Jordan Witmer (SALT): The Store As Media: Retail Media That's Scalable, Memorable & Worth Buying. Click here to join us!Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Today I’m breaking down why Costco’s decision to publicly reveal its retail media tech stack sent shockwaves through NRF, and why it matters so much for advertisers, merchants, and retail media leaders alike. Retail media is one of the highest-margin revenue streams retailers have, but what happens when the pursuit of ad dollars starts to undermine the core business? In this recap of my recent article for The Drum, I walk through the philosophy of Mark Williamson, head of Costco’s RMN, and why sales velocity, member experience, and merchandising discipline come before media profits. This episode isn’t about copying Costco’s vendor list — it’s about understanding how transparency, trust, and infrastructure can fundamentally reshape advertiser relationships and the future of retail media networks. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why my Costco article became one of The Drum’s most-read pieces, and what that says about retail media curiosity [01:45] The NRF moment that caught everyone’s attention: Costco reveals its full retail media tech stack [02:45] The danger of chasing high-margin ad revenue at the expense of merchandising outcomes [03:31] Costco’s hierarchy explained: sales velocity, member experience, and renewals come first [05:33] The four-layer retail media tech stack powering Costco’s strategy [07:39] Why transparency builds advertiser trust, and what other retailers should really learn from Costco Links & Resources Costco just revealed its entire retail media tech stack. Why? (The Drum)Read my related articles:My Notes From an Interview with Costco's RMN leader, Mark WilliamsonAce Hardware's RedVest Media: Notes From My Interview With Molly HjelmLinkedIn Live on Thursday Feb 5 at 11am ET with Jordan Witmer (SALT): The Store As Media: Retail Media That's Scalable, Memorable & Worth Buying. Click here to join us!Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Instacart’s advertising business is officially in its third act, and it’s the most ambitious one yet. In this recap of my recent article for The Drum, I break down how Ali Miller, GM of Ads at Instacart, is thinking about the company’s evolution from sponsored products to something much bigger: becoming the infrastructure that powers an entire retail media ecosystem. I walk through Instacart’s three-act playbook, why its early bets on incrementality and self-serve set it apart, and how platforms like Carrot Ads are quietly reshaping how brands and retailers think about scale, measurement, and simplicity. If you’re feeling the weight of a fragmented retail media landscape, this episode offers a clear lens into where things are heading, and why Instacart may be further ahead than many realize. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – Why I see Instacart’s ads evolution as a three-act play [01:56] – How Instacart prioritized incrementality when others focused on attribution [02:38] – Act Two: expanding into display, video, and objective-based buying [03:21] – Act Three begins: Carrot Ads and the infrastructure play [04:04] – “Buy once, activate everywhere”: the brand value proposition [05:28] – What retailers gain by tapping into Instacart’s national advertiser demand [07:15] – Fragmentation, slowing growth, and why simplification is the next frontier Links & Resources Instacart’s new ad chief on revving up for a third act, my full article on The DrumFollow Ali Miller on LinkedInRead my related articles:Best Buy Wants To Become An Ad Platform, Not Just Another RMNAmazon bets on 'crystal box' transparency in ads product upgrade (The Drum)Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

There’s a conversation that comes up constantly in retail media. Challenger brands look at big legacy CPGs and think, “If only we had that budget and analytics muscle, this would be easy.” Meanwhile, those same enterprise brands look at challengers and think, “If only we could move that fast.” In this episode, I unpack why both sides are right, and why they’re also missing the bigger picture. I’m joined by Jordan Witmer, who has a client-side background but now leads retail media strategy at the agency SALT. We dig into why retail media strategy is not one-size-fits-all, why sponsored products can be the smartest dollar a challenger brand can spend, and how to recognize the tipping point when that math flips for large incumbents. If you’re trying to decide when to stay bottom-of-funnel versus when to shift into brand building, this conversation will help you understand your growth strategy more clearly. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – The “grass is greener” problem between challenger brands and legacy CPGs [01:20] – Why retail media playbooks must change based on brand size and stage [03:29] – Sponsored products as “easy money”, and why challengers shouldn’t apologize for it [04:13] – The hidden advantage challengers have with flexible, high-ROI media budgets [05:39] – When the value equation flips for large, everywhere-available brands [07:29] – Defining the tipping point between harvesting demand and building demand Links & Resources Listen to the full replay of my 50 minute conversation with JordanLearn more about SALTFollow Jordan Witmer on LinkedInRead my related articles:Amazon On Sponsored Product Ads: 'Too Much Is Never Enough'It’s Time To End Retail Media “Versus” Organic SearchSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Amazon built its empire by disrupting everyone else. But what happens when the disruptor starts looking… defensive. As Walmart, Target, Shopify, Wayfair, and others plug into Google’s universal commerce protocols, AI agents are suddenly able to compare and transact across retailers. Meanwhile, Amazon is still operating inside its walled garden — and that raises some big questions. Today I bring you a snippet of a conversation I had on the Ecommerce Braintrust Podcast with Julie Spear and Jordan Ripley from Acadia. We dug into Amazon’s AI strategy, the backlash to its 'Buy for Me' agent, and what consumer behavior is telling us about where online shopping is really headed. Finally, I analyze comments from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and read between the lines on whether Amazon will ultimately have to play ball with third-party AI (and what it might cost them if they wait too long). This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Amazon’s role reversal: from disruptor to defender in the age of AI commerce [01:15] Rufus vs. universal AI agents — is “best in class” enough inside a walled garden? [02:15] Backlash against Amazon’s “Buy for Me” agent and why small brands are pushing back [04:28] The Salesforce stat that should worry Amazon: shoppers are already using LLMs in-store [06:17] The future “handshake” between offsite AI agents and onsite retail experiences [08:15] Andy Jassy’s comments on third-party AI and what he quietly concedes Links & Resources Listen to my appearance on the Ecommerce Braintrust podcast in fullSubscribe to the Ecommerce BraintrustRead my related articles:Amazon is playing agentic commerce chicken. Other retailers should not.At NRF, Retailers Say "Bring On All The Bots"Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Today I dive into the 'retail media doom loop' and share seven actionable ways retailers can break free. If you’ve ever wondered why retail media networks stall after initial wins, or how AI agents and agentic commerce are shaking up the industry, this episode is for you. I highlight opportunities ranging from in-store experiences to long-tail marketplace activation, loyalty programs, and even cross-retailer collaboration. Retail media doesn’t have to be trapped in a cycle of margin extraction. I share real-world examples from retailers like Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Macy’s, and innovative ad tech solution providers that are helping the industry rethink what’s possible. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – Introducing the retail media doom loop and why most networks stall after early wins. [02:06] – Double down on in-store and experiential media that AI agents can’t bypass. [03:00] – Activate long-tail advertisers and marketplace sellers for real growth. [04:30] – Stop trying to out-Amazon Amazon and leverage your unique strengths. [06:09] – Transparency and access — make it easy for media buyers to invest. [08:00] – Create ad formats that drive purchases and harness loyalty programs. [09:41] – Explore cross-retailer collaboration to unlock scale and efficiency. Links & Resources Read my related articles:The Retail Media Doom LoopWhy OpenAI’s ad announcement should worry retail media networks (The Drum)Sam's Club Cracked the Code on In-Store Retail Media—Here's How They Did ItThe Case for the ‘Long Tail’ of Retail Media NetworksRetailers Are Becoming Retailers Again: Building Better PartnershipsCostco just revealed its entire retail media tech stack. Why? (The Drum)Why RMNs Keep Their Tech Stacks SecretDSPs Wanted: The Retail Media Revolution 96% of Advertisers CraveBeyond banner ads: how retailers are monetizing the moments that actually matter (The Drum)How Loyalty Programs Give Retailers the Edge in an AI Shopping FutureMeet The First Retail Media Federations & ConsortiumsWhile We Debate What's 'Really' Agentic, Retail Media's Foundation Is Already ShiftingSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

For the last decade, retailers have done everything they could to keep bots off their websites. But when I was at NRF earlier this month, I heard something very different from the biggest names in retail: bring on all the bots. In this episode, a recap of my recent article for The Drum, I break down why that shift is happening now (and what it actually looks like in practice). At NRF I found  a wide spectrum of approaches, from full-scale deployments to cautious experimentation, but also a surprising point of alignment. Listen to learn how six major retailers are thinking about AI shopping agents, what they’re building, and where they’re drawing the line when it comes to control, trust, and ownership of the customer relationship. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why retailers who once banned bots are now actively welcoming AI shopping agents [01:28] Kroger’s fully deployed AI assistants for meal planning, budgeting, and one-click shopping [02:40] How Lowe’s is using Google’s Business Agent to let customers shop directly from search [03:59] Ulta Beauty’s marketplace strategy as the foundation for future agentic commerce [06:01] Home Depot’s problem-first approach, and why merchant of record still matters [07:26] Wayfair and Urban Outfitters on conversational/multimodal shopping becoming mainstream Links & Resources At NRF, retailers say ‘bring on all the bots’, my full article on The DrumRead my related articles:The Retail Media Conversations At NRF That Didn't Make the StageAmazon is playing agentic commerce chicken. Other retailers should not.Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

The retail media conversation is dominated by a handful of giants. But today, I’m analyzing a recent episode of one of my favorite podcasts (Beyond The Shelf hosted Dave Feinelib), and making the case that we’re missing a massive opportunity by ignoring the long tail. If you’re a brand focused only on Amazon, Walmart, or Target, what happens to the shoppers you’re not reaching, especially in regional and mid-market grocery? In this episode, I dig into insights shared on a recent episode of Beyond The Shelf from Dave Glaza of DIGITS, who has a rare dual perspective: helping brands activate retail media while also operating networks for regional grocers. Dave unpacks why regional grocery is one of the biggest remaining white spaces in retail media, the real reason brands cap the number of RMNs they’ll work with, and what might actually change as budgets tighten and growth gets harder to find. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why retail media’s obsession with scale leaves regional shoppers behind [01:09] Dave Glaza explains the “white space” opportunity in regional grocery [02:23] The real infrastructure problem behind managing 10+ retail media networks [03:08] Are brands walking away from half their buyers by ignoring regionals? [04:19] Why being tech-agnostic matters in a fragmented retail ecosystem [06:03] The shift from ROAS to “new-to-brand” and category growth metrics Links & Resources Listen to the full Dave Glaza episode of the Beyond The Shelf podcast hosted Dave FeinelibSubscribe to Beyond The ShelfDave Glaza runs the agency DIGITSFollow Dave Glaza on LinkedInFollow David Feinleib on LinkedInRead my related articles:What It Actually Takes to Build a Retail Media FederationMeet The First Retail Media Federations & ConsortiumsThe Retail Media Doom LoopJoin me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am Thursday Jan 22 (today!) for a LinkedIn Live on how big brands and small brands MUST approach retail media differently. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

In today’s episode I’m sharing a standout moment from a conversation I recorded back in December on Zalando's Inside Fashion Marketing podcast. It captures a shift I haven’t been able to stop thinking about: how AI-enabled commerce is fundamentally changing the shopping journey, and what that means for retail media as we know it. If consumers are spending more time researching, comparing, and deciding with AI companions before they ever land on a retailer site, that has massive implications for sponsored products, display ads, and offsite retail media revenue. In this clip, I break down what’s changing, what surprised me most in 2025, and why the traditional funnel is basically over. If you care about the future of retail media, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] Why AI-enabled commerce has been top of mind for me [01:24] The rise of AI companions in the research phase of the shopping journey [02:03] New AI-driven mid-funnel and purchase capabilities [02:45] What AI-led research means for onsite and offsite retail media revenue [04:36] My advice to brands navigating agentic commerce and retailer partnerships [06:00] The surprising rise of black-box algorithmic bidding in retail media networks Links & Resources Listen to the full Inside Fashion Marketing episode - Kiri Masters on what’s next in retail media: US vs. Europe & the 2026 edgeRead my related articles:Amazon is playing agentic commerce chicken. Other retailers should not.The Retail Media Doom LoopJoin me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am Thursday Jan 22 for a LinkedIn Live on how big brands and small brands MUST approach retail media differently. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Last week at NRF, I co-hosted an intimate, salon-style private dinner with the sponsor of this podcast, Mirakl Ads, bringing together senior leaders from major retailers. Away from the main stage and marketing hype, the conversation picked up where the conferences usually leave off — candid, practical, and deeply honest discussions about what’s actually working (and not working) in retail media right now. In this episode, I’m sharing anonymized insights from that dinner, including why in-store retail media has a built-in paradox, how retailers are really thinking about building versus buying their retail media tech stacks, and how evolving shopper behavior is reshaping the in-store experience. No silver bullets here, but plenty of real-world perspective you won’t hear on an earnings call! This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:48] Why the real value of NRF happens off-stage, and why private dinners matter more than keynotes [01:30] The in-store media paradox: when shoppers themselves become the scalability problem [02:58] Why placement matters more than impressions for in-store retail media [03:30] Build vs. buy vs. partner: a “marry, kiss, or kill” moment for retail media tech stacks [04:43] The “Uber model” of retail media tech: best-of-breed partnerships over monolithic platforms [06:14] How mobile pre-shopping, social discovery, and AI are redefining the in-store customer journey Links & Resources Read my related articles:I'm back (Retail Media Breakfast Club blog post)At NRF, retailers say ‘bring on all the bots’ (The Drum)Costco just revealed its entire retail media tech stack. Why? (The Drum)Join me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am Thursday Jan 22 for a LinkedIn Live on how big brands and small brands MUST approach retail media differently. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!The real talk happening off-mic at NRF's 'Retail's Big Show' (Jason Del Rey, The Aisle)Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

I spent the first few days of NRF right at the center of the retail universe and somehow still managed to feel behind. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what I saw, what I missed (including a genuinely historic announcement), and why that feeling of being left behind might actually be the most honest signal of where retail is heading in 2026. From agentic commerce and AI-powered shopping, to candid perspectives from leaders at Home Depot, Wayfair, Dick’s, and beyond, this conversation is about letting go of false certainty. We’ll dig into why experimentation is beating confidence, why “wait and see” is riskier than it sounds, and what adaptability really looks like for retailers, brands, and the partners who support them this year. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – My NRF opening session moment (and how I accidentally skipped a history-making announcement) [00:45] – The introduction of Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and why it triggered real anxiety [01:45] – Why even the most senior retail tech leaders admit they don’t know what’s coming next [02:00] – Insights from Home Depot, Wayfair, and Dick’s on AI, experimentation, and uncertainty [03:30] – Why 2026 is the year brash confidence dies and experimentation wins [04:15] – Why “Strong opinions, loosely held” is a framework for how retailers should think about partnerships and tech [05:17] – A personal note on burnout, creativity, and my fiction-reading habit Links & Resources Read my related articles:At NRF, retailers say ‘bring on all the bots’ (The Drum)Costco just revealed its entire retail media tech stack. Why? (The Drum)A deal with the devil, or co-opetition? Macy’s RMN chief shares an update on its deal with Amazon Retail Ads Service (LinkedIn post)How Wayfair and Home Depot are thinking about agentic commerce (LinkedIn Post)Join me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am Thursday Jan 22 for a LinkedIn Live on how big brands and small brands MUST approach retail media differently. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!Find my top novels of 2025 at the bottom of this articleSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

This is the final episode of the year, and honestly, I can’t quite believe how far Retail Media Breakfast Club has come since launching back in January. From passing 50,000 downloads, to realizing just how many smart, thoughtful people are paying attention, this episode is a moment to pause, reflect, and share what I’ve learned along the way. I unpack some very personal lessons from running a near-daily newsletter/podcast in an industry that’s still very much being invented in real time. From embracing beginner’s mindsets and navigating burnout, to understanding why drama drives engagement (and when it’s not worth it), this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to show up consistently. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:00] – Reflecting on launching Retail Media Breakfast Club and hitting 50,000 downloads [01:00] – What Vampire Weekend taught me about building a career in retail media [02:25] – Why we’re all beginners in retail media (even the so-called experts) [04:15] – My biggest blind spot: ad tech, and how I had to relearn the fundamentals [06:45] – The reality of publishing content four days a week and managing burnout [09:00] – Why “quantity is quality” and how consistency creates real momentum [11:45] – Drama, debate, and drawing personal boundaries in public industry discourse Links & Resources My tech stack flow diagram - How an RMN's tech stack impacts your advertising resultsBreakfast for Dinner with Retail Media Breakfast Club & Mirakl Ads in NYC. I am co-hosting a dinner for RMN leaders with the sponsor of this newsletter & Podcast, Mirakl Ads. Join me, Mirakl’s Chief AI officer Anne Baschet, and RMN leaders from Costco & CVS for Breakfast for Dinner on Saturday Jan 10, 2026. Senior leaders at RMNs may register their interest here.Retail Media Therapy Celebrity Death Match in NYC. I’m doing another debate, this time going to head-to-head with my frenemies-slash-industry legends Colin Lewis, Sarah Marzano (EMARKETER), and Claire Wyatt (The Trade Desk). Hosted by Zitcha, QSIC and Grace & Co. Monday Jan 12 - arrive at 5 for a 5:30 kickoff. Register your interestSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri on LinkedIn

I’m pulling back the curtain on something I’m asked about constantly: how I actually stay on top of the nonstop flow of retail media news, analysis, and thought leadership. I definitely don’t catch it all, and you shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t either. But I have built a rhythm and a process that helps me make sense of this fast-moving space without completely frying my brain. In today’s ep, I share the  tools, habits, and systems I use. From the podcast apps I separate for work vs. unwinding, to the newsletters and Substack ecosystem that function like “vegetables” in my content diet, to my favorite ways to capture and store insights so I can actually find them later. I also dive into why traditional trade media still matters, and how to make LinkedIn work for you, even with its currently maddening algorithm. If you’re looking to level up your own media diet in 2026, this one’s for you. This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads Timeline [00:15] – Why I still feel behind, even as a full-time content consumer/creator [01:30] – The mega resource database I’ve pulled together for you [02:15] – How I split my podcast listening between Apple Podcasts and Snipd [03:30] – The Snipd → Notion workflow that saves my long-term memory [04:50] – Why I chose beehiiv over Substack (and the network-effect dilemma) [07:30] – The enduring value of traditional media and industry publications [09:00] – My love–hate relationship with LinkedIn’s algorithm, and how to tame it Links & Resources Get the full list of my favorite publications, newsletters and podcasts hereBreakfast for Dinner with Retail Media Breakfast Club & Mirakl Ads. I am co-hosting a dinner for RMN leaders with the sponsor of this newsletter & Podcast, Mirakl Ads. Join me, Mirakl’s Chief AI officer Anne Baschet, and RMN leaders from Costco & CVS for Breakfast for Dinner on Saturday Jan 10, 2026. Senior leaders at RMNs may register their interest here.Retail Media Therapy Celebrity Death Match. I’m doing another debate, this time going to head-to-head with my frenemies-slash-industry legends Colin Lewis, Sarah Marzano (EMARKETER), and Claire Wyatt (The Trade Desk). Hosted by Zitcha, QSIC and Grace & Co. Monday Jan 12 - arrive at 5 for a 5:30 kickoff. Register your interestSubscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletterFollow Kiri on LinkedIn