AdTechGod Pod

Scott McKinley, Founder & CEO of Truthset, discusses the state of data quality, identity, and measurement in digital advertising.

Scott shares why the industry continues to prioritize scale over accuracy, how data quality deteriorates throughout the supply chain, and why advertisers need to rethink legacy metrics like reach and CPMs. The conversation also explores identity, walled gardens, authentication, and the future of the open internet.

Takeaways

Data accuracy often declines significantly as data moves through the ad tech supply chain.

Scale is frequently prioritized over quality, leading to inefficient advertising spend.

Advertisers should focus on precision and outcomes rather than reach alone.

Authentication is critical to improving identity and publisher monetization.

Independent measurement remains essential for trust and accountability in advertising.

Walled gardens continue to outperform because of durable identity systems.

IP addresses are an unreliable long-term replacement for cookies.
The open internet must improve identity infrastructure to remain competitive.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Scott McKinley and Truthset

01:05 From Olympic cyclist to ad tech entrepreneur

03:01 The trust crisis in advertising and lessons from sports

05:25 Why advertising lacks accountability and regulation

07:00 Nielsen's role in independent measurement

09:00 Why Scott founded Truthset

11:17 Common misconceptions about data accuracy

14:20 The industry's obsession with scale over quality

17:53 Why reach is becoming an outdated metric

19:13 Signal loss, walled gardens, and measurement challenges

23:16 The future of identity in advertising

25:34 Why authentication is the path forward

25:51 The biggest misconception about IP addresses

26:43 What the open internet must do next

28:05 Closing thoughts

Guests: AdTechGod

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In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Ray Adamson, Head of Solution Sales at DanAds,

discusses the evolution of self-service advertising, automation in ad operations, and the publisher

monetization strategies, and how AI is reshaping the future of ad tech. Learn how leading

Publishers are unlocking new revenue streams and improving efficiency through self-service

platforms.

Takeaways

Automation is becoming a business imperative in ad operations.

DanAds helps publishers unlock new advertiser segments.

Self-service complements sales teams rather than replacing them.

Successful self-service programs require active promotion

DanAds offers more than self-service technology

AI is reshaping operational workflows

The future belongs to creative media leaders and innovative ad tech partners.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ray Adamson and DanAds

01:25 Ray's Journey into Ad Tech and Career Evolution

03:55 How Ad Operations Have Changed Over the Years

05:50 What DanAds Brings to the Market

07:55 The Rise of Self-Service Advertising Platforms

08:33 Build vs. Buy: Publisher Self-Service Strategies

10:09 The Impact of Self-Service on Sales Teams

10:54 Expanding Revenue Through Long-Tail Advertisers

13:19 Common Misconceptions About Self-Service Advertising

15:05 Publisher Playbooks and Marketing Support

15:52 Integrations, Workflow Automation, and Monetization Services

17:57 Which Publishers Benefit Most from DanAds?

20:28 The Future of Ad Tech, AI, and Automation

22:43 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
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In this episode, Gina Michnowicz, CEO of The Craftsman, joins AdTechGod to discuss building a creative agency focused on storytelling, experiential marketing, and integrated campaigns for global brands like Cisco, Disney, Marvel, and Godiva. Gina shares her journey from digital consulting to launching The Craftsman, how creative ideas come to life across physical and digital experiences, and why human creativity still matters in the age of AI. From building a 3,000-chocolate-bar train for Godiva and 20th Century Fox to discussing the future of branded content and creators, this conversation dives deep into the evolving world of marketing and advertising.

Takeaways

Human creativity remains essential despite advances in AI.

Great marketing ideas come from non-linear creative thinking.

Experiential campaigns work best when integrated with digital and PR.

AI is useful for productivity, but not for original ideas.

Emotional storytelling is difficult for AI to replicate.

Brand awareness and experiential marketing are becoming more valuable.

Creators will need to focus on authentic and original content.

The best campaigns connect people emotionally to brands.

Chapters

00:00 Gina Michnowicz joins the podcast and introduces The Craftsman.

01:09 Gina shares her journey from consulting to founding her agency.

03:44 How The Craftsman works with brands like Disney, Cisco, and Godiva.

06:32 Building integrated campaigns that combine experiential, PR, and social.

07:06 The story behind the 3,000 chocolate bar Godiva train campaign.

09:42 How Gina’s digital background shaped her creative approach.

11:12 Gina’s perspective on AI in creativity and advertising.

14:21 Why AI struggles with original creative ideas.

17:46 The emotional gap between AI-generated and human-made content.

20:45 Where creativity, branding, and marketing are heading next.

22:50 Gina shares her optimism for the future of creative work.

Guests: AdTech God

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Simon Powell, CEO of HELI-D, shares how his company is redefining out-of-home advertising with flying digital billboards attached to helicopters. From launching campaigns for MTV, Disney, Pepsi, Xbox, and VaynerX to creating immersive aerial activations that generate massive earned media, Simon breaks down the future of flying digital media and why emotional, high-impact advertising still matters.

The conversation explores the evolution of aerial advertising, the technology powering HELI-D's LED helicopter screens, QR code engagement at massive live events, and what comes next for digital out-of-home, including drones and integrated media experiences.

Takeaways

HELI-D evolved from traditional helicopter banners into fully digital flying LED billboards.

Simon Powell transitioned from investment banking into aviation and advertising entrepreneurship.

Early innovation included projection technology that turned helicopter banners into flying cinema screens.

HELI-D’s breakthrough campaign debuted at the MTV VMAs with Viacom in 2016.

Disney partnered with HELI-D for large-scale experiential aerial activations.

The company has executed campaigns for Pepsi, Star Trek, Catch-22, Xbox, and VaynerX.

COVID accelerated the development of HELI-D’s scalable LED screen technology.

The aerial ads create strong emotional reactions because of their size, movement, sound, and visibility.

HELI-D campaigns generate significant earned media through social sharing and inbound audience engagement.

QR code campaigns achieved massive interaction rates at live sporting events like the Melbourne Cup.

HELI-D partnered with Blue Bite for mobile retargeting and shadow fencing at Possible.

Xbox used Heli-D to create a flying live gaming experience with zero-latency gameplay.

Simon believes flying digital media will eventually include drones as lift and battery technology improves.

HELI-D sees itself as a premium “wow factor” integrated into broader DOOH campaigns rather than a standalone medium.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to HELI-D and the POSSIBLE event activation
00:46 – Simon Powell’s background in investment banking and aviation
01:34 – The origin of helicopter banner advertising
02:12 – Creating the first digital aerial projection system
03:26 – Pitching Viacom and launching at the MTV VMAs
04:18 – Disney partnership and major aerial campaigns
04:47 – Pepsi Super Bowl activations and entertainment stunts
05:01 – Star Trek, Catch-22, and large-scale aerial experiences
05:54 – COVID’s impact and developing HELI-D’s LED technology
06:51 – AdTechGod’s firsthand experience with the helicopter billboard
08:22 – Emotional impact and audience reactions to aerial advertising
09:06 – QR code engagement success at the Melbourne Cup
10:33 – Earned media and viral audience response
12:22 – Metrics, retargeting, and campaign measurement
13:16 – Xbox Ninja Gaiden activation and live gameplay in the sky
14:53 – The future of DOOH, drones, and flying digital media
16:39 – Cannes plans and future expansion for HELI-D

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David Nyurenberg, SVP of Digital at InterMedia Advertising, joins the AdTechGod Pod to discuss the realities of programmatic advertising, CTV transparency, and why the industry may need a complete reset. From his early days at Gameloft to building digital practices at major agencies, David shares sharp insights on media buying, innovation, AI hype cycles, and the future of CTV.

In this episode, David discusses why transparency matters, how linear TV shaped his perspective on media buying, and what advertisers still get wrong about optimization and data.

Takeaways

Programmatic advertising incentives have created long standing transparency issues.

Linear TV buying still offers valuable lessons for modern digital advertising.

CTV needs show level transparency to unlock its full optimization potential.

AI and agentic advertising are promising, but still unproven at scale.

More marketers are openly sharing ideas and challenging industry norms.

Strong thought leadership comes from driving real innovation, not just visibility.

Long tail content still matters when optimizing for reach and outcomes.

The industry is becoming more sophisticated and data driven overall.

Chapters
00:00 David Nyurenberg joins the AdTechGod Pod.
01:20 David explains how he accidentally entered the advertising industry through Gameloft.
03:51 Why David became outspoken about the flaws in programmatic advertising.
05:56 The biggest challenges facing the ad tech ecosystem today.
08:38 How working in linear TV changed David’s perspective on media buying.
11:25 David shares his thoughts on AI, agentic advertising, and AdCP hype.
15:24 What gives David optimism about the future of advertising.
17:27 Building a respected personal brand and becoming an award winning industry voice.
20:37 Why CTV transparency and show level data matter so much.
24:31 How David stays informed in the fast moving ad tech industry.
25:55 Final thoughts and closing remarks.

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