SSPs Beyond “Pipes”: OpenX’s Matt Sattel on the Future of Curation, SPO, and AI

Ari Paparo interviews Steven Yap, the Global Chief Revenue Officer of Perion Network, during Advertising Week in New York. They discuss the evolution of Perion, the launch of Perion One, and the importance of unifying technology in advertising. The conversation delves into the role of AI in optimizing marketing strategies, the future of CMOs as portfolio managers, and the state of the open web. The episode concludes with quickfire questions that highlight Perion's competitive advantages and challenges. Takeaways Perion has evolved to unify multiple technologies under Perion One. AI serves as the connective tissue for optimizing advertising strategies. CMOs are transitioning to a role similar to portfolio managers. The open web is facing challenges, but it is not fully destroyed. Perion aims to make marketing budgets feel more impactful. The advertising industry is grappling with silos in AI development. AI can help clean up the ecosystem of bad actors in advertising. Perion's technology is seen as a competitive advantage. The importance of brand familiarity in a rebranding effort. The Honey Badger symbolizes Perion's resilience. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Advertising Week 03:01 Introducing Perion and Perion One 07:04 The Role of AI in Advertising 12:39 The Future of CMOs and AI 17:46 The State of the Open Web 20:58 Quickfire Questions and Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Paparo talks with OpenX CRO Matt Sattel about how supply-side platforms are evolving in 2025, from simple “pipes” to intelligent systems focused on quality, transparency, and outcomes. They discuss trends shaping the ecosystem, including curation, data-driven SPO, MFA, and request duplication, as well as the growing influence of AI and automation. The conversation also looks at the challenges of operating in a two-sided marketplace and why agility and accountability matter more than ever. Takeaways OpenX positions itself as a “smart pipe,” emphasizing innovation and quality over raw scale. SPO should be data-driven, not just a commercial negotiation. Request duplication and MFA inflate metrics—OpenX focuses on clean, direct supply. OpenX Select enables agencies and partners to curate transparent, self-built deals. Real-time automated data-fee discounts push more dollars into working media. AI powers “Results by OpenX,” optimizing toward performance outcomes like CTR and CPA. Transparency and reporting through Snowflake-based tools remain central to OpenX’s pitch. AI’s impact on web traffic is most visible in commerce and shopping verticals. OpenX’s agility and independence let it respond faster than larger SSPs. Sattel sees rebuilding trust and collaboration in the two-sided marketplace as the industry’s biggest challenge. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Advertising Week Banter 01:31 OpenX’s Evolution and Buy-Side Perspective 02:59 Defining the “Smart Pipe” Approach 05:09 Redefining Supply Path Optimization (SPO) 07:07 Quality, Duplication, and Clean Supply 10:27 Curation and the OpenX Select Platform 14:06 Automated Discounts and Data Transparency 17:25 AI-Driven Performance: Results by OpenX 20:58 The Broader Impact of AI on Audiences 22:06 Agility, Independence, and Market Challenges 23:45 Closing Thoughts and the “Sleeping Giant” Analogy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi speak with Omar Tawakol, CEO of Rembrand, about how artificial intelligence is influencing advertising and media. They explore the role of virtual product placement, its implications for creators and publishers, and how automation is shifting the ways audiences engage with content. The conversation also covers broader industry movements—from The Trade Desk’s evolving strategy to Amazon’s DSP and emerging ad networks from PayPal and Amex—offering perspective on the changing dynamics of attention and monetization. Takeaways Consumers are seeking fewer interruptions, pushing brands toward more natural ad integrations. AI tools are making virtual product placement more scalable and adaptable. Future ad innovation may focus on blending into content rather than surrounding it. Successful acquisitions depend on maintaining team culture and creative integrity. The intersection of retail media, AI, and creator monetization signals a major industry shift. Chapters  00:00 Ari and Eric welcome Omar and joke about his old Facebook photo.  01:30 Omar explains why ad-light consumer behavior is reshaping advertising. 04:00 Rembrand uses AI to automate and scale virtual product placement. 08:30 Automation reduces friction and improves brand safety for advertisers. 10:50 Attention-based metrics show “New News” campaigns perform best.  14:00 Rembrand grows through Spaceback and Myriad acquisitions.  20:00 Omar shares lessons on keeping acquired teams’ culture intact.  29:30 The group discusses AI, retail media, and industry headlines.  38:40 They close with thoughts on AI’s creative impact and media’s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this session, Eric Franchi, Alan Chapell, and Ari Paparo discuss the Google remedies antitrust trial. They also cover OpenAI’s approach to monetization and Amazon’s recent collaborations with Spotify and Netflix. Takeaways The trial highlights whether behavioral fixes are enough or if divestiture is needed. Google once considered selling ADX, complicating its defense. OpenAI looks set to lean on ads and commerce for growth. Trade Desk and Amazon are both pushing harder for control of supply. Chapters 00:00 Updates on Marketecture Live 00:03 Google remedies trial overview 00:10 ADX divestiture debate 00:20 Publisher testimony and impact 00:28 OpenAI and ads 00:36 Trade Desk’s strategy shifts 00:49 Amazon DSP and Spotify/Netflix 00:52 Vibe funding news and wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi speak with Josh Walsh, founder and CEO of BranchLab, about how pharmaceutical advertising is changing. The discussion covers BranchLab’s use of neural networks with non-health data, the impact of new privacy regulations, and recent funding from Lance Armstrong’s Next Ventures. The conversation also touches on Deep Intent’s acquisition, ongoing federal policy debates, and the broader implications for healthcare marketing. Takeaways BranchLab’s Model: Neural networks trained on non-health data can help address privacy concerns while enabling audience insights. Funding Story: Next Ventures, led by Lance Armstrong, invested in BranchLab as part of a mission to support healthcare transformation. Industry Valuation: Deep Intent’s $637M sale demonstrates the scale of opportunity in pharma marketing technology. Regulatory Shifts: State laws like Washington’s My Health, My Data and New York’s S929 are influencing how data can be used in advertising. Federal Policy Outlook: A nationwide ban on pharma ads is unlikely, but new disclosure and targeting requirements may emerge. Public Health Link: Responsible advertising can encourage more patient-doctor interactions, which often align with improved outcomes. Chapters 00:00 – Introductions02:00 – What BranchLab Does05:00 – Funding from Next Ventures07:30 – Industry Context09:30 – Data and Privacy13:00 – Federal Policy16:30 – The Road Ahead20:00 – Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Marketecture Podcast, hosts Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi engage with Art Muldoon, Co-Founder of ArcSpan, to discuss the changing landscape of publisher data in ad tech. They explore topics such as leveraging AI to scale first-party data, the evolving future of the open web, and the intricacies of curation and transaction IDs (TIDs), emphasizing how publishers can regain control and succeed in a dynamic environment. The latter part of the episode covers industry updates, including mergers and acquisitions, shifts in DSPs, AI-driven creative tools, legal challenges facing Google, and the completion of the TikTok US deal. Takeaways ArcSpan helps publishers unify data and scale audiences. Publishers should expand beyond logged-in users using AI and surveys. Third-party validation boosts buy-side confidence. The open web is evolving, not dying. Curation can be a revenue opportunity if it is transparent. TIDs raise questions about fairness. M&A shows AI merging with media solutions. DSP competition is intensifying. Agencies are shifting towards AI workflows. Legal pressures on Google are increasing. Chapters00:00 - Ari and Eric introduce Art Muldoon from ArcSpan.02:00 - Explanation of Aggregate, Amplify, Activate.06:30 - Strategies for making 100% of audiences addressable.09:30 - Market caution and publisher pain points discussed.12:00 - How ArcSpan builds confidence on the buy-side.15:00 - Is it an opportunity or are margins being siphoned?17:00 - Comparing gaming, news, and sports publishers.19:00 - Reformulation, AI’s role, and the future of publishing.21:00 - TIDs, Prebid, and the risks of arbitrage.25:00 - Partnerships: Rembrandt + Spaceback, Verve + Captify.30:00 - Amazon’s GenAI tools and Yahoo’s discount strategy vs. TTD.35:00 - Agency transformation insights.38:00 - Privacy remedies and lawsuits involving Magnite & Pubmatic.42:00 - Discussion on a US-led governance framework.45:00 - Reflections and a preview of next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi talk with Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of Integral Ad Science (IAS), about the latest shifts in digital advertising. They explore how the industry is moving from simple verification toward performance, why metrics like attention and carbon are getting more attention, what AI is doing behind the scenes, and how retail media and streaming are changing the game. Along the way, they dig into trust, complexity, and what brands really care most about today. Takeaways IAS has moved beyond verification, focusing on performance and transparency.  Attention and carbon are part of the metrics mix, not replacements for existing standards.  AI powers classification and validation at scale, speeding up processing and accuracy.  Retail media and CTV are rapidly growing areas with unique challenges.  Brands still prioritize simple goals: reach consumers, protect reputation, and drive outcomes. Chapters01:00 Open Web vs. Walled Gardens04:40 From Verification to Optimization07:30 Carbon as a Metric09:00 Attention Metrics12:00 Cutting through the Complexity12:40 AI in Practice16:15 Startups, Scale, and Data19:00 Retail Media’s Rise21:00 Trust and Perception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Ari Paparo interviews Ajit Thupil, Chief Product Officer of Bombora, discussing the unique challenges and strategies in B2B marketing. They explore how Bombora leverages data to enhance sales and marketing efforts, the importance of audience targeting, and the evolving role of AI in the industry. Ajit shares insights on the competitive landscape and the significance of understanding the distinct nature of B2B compared to B2C marketing. Takeaways Bombora focuses on the P2P space, serving sales and marketing needs. B2B marketing involves long and complex sales cycles. Data is crucial for targeting the right accounts in B2B. Activation of data is available through major DSPs and social channels. Granularity in audience targeting helps overcome company size disparities. AI's role in B2B marketing is evolving but remains data-dependent. Understanding customer behavior is key to effective targeting. Frequency capping at the account level is essential for B2B campaigns. Bombora's partnerships with publishers enhance data quality. Specialization in B2B marketing differentiates Bombora from larger platforms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bombora and Its Mission 03:07 Understanding B2B Marketing Dynamics 06:09 Data Utilization in B2B Marketing 08:47 Targeting Strategies and Audience Granularity 11:50 The Role of AI in B2B Marketing 14:58 Competitive Landscape and Challenges 18:01 Lightning Round and Fun Insights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Marketecture Podcast, hosts Ari Paparo and Eric Franchi discuss the recent Google search remedies and their implications for the market. They delve into the antitrust issues surrounding Google, the upcoming ad tech trial, and the complexities of Epsilon's SSP. The conversation also touches on Perplexity's struggles in advertising, OpenAI's strategic acquisition, and emerging trends in ad tech and AI. Additionally, they explore insights from the CTV landscape, including Roku's growth and the NFL Red Zone's new commercial strategy, concluding with a discussion on Paramount's potential acquisition of The Free Press. Takeaways Google's market share remains unchanged despite antitrust remedies. Data sharing with competitors raises privacy concerns. AI is a significant competitor to Google search. The ad tech trial may see Google settling sooner. Agencies are unaware of buying from competitors' SSPs. Perplexity's advertising efforts are still experimental. OpenAI's acquisition signals a strong move in ad tech. Roku surpasses broadcast TV in viewing share. NFL Red Zone's introduction of commercials sparks controversy. Paramount's potential acquisition of The Free Press indicates market value. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Overview of Google Search Remedies 03:00Antitrust Implications and Market Dynamics 05:54Ad Tech Trial and Its Consequences 08:53Epsilon's SSP and Agency Dynamics 11:42Perplexity's Advertising Challenges 14:48OpenAI's Acquisition and Strategic Moves 17:54Emerging Trends in Ad Tech and AI 20:43CTV Insights and NFL Red Zone Controversy 23:46Paramount's Potential Acquisition of The Free Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this emergency episode of the Market Texture Podcast, Ari Paparo and Alan Chapell discuss the recent ruling by Judge Metta regarding Google's monopoly status. They analyze the implications of the ruling, including the decision not to divest Chrome or Android, the impact of distribution deals, and the challenges of data sharing. The conversation also touches on the missed opportunity for choice screens, the future of Google's search monopoly, and the DOJ's approach to antitrust cases. The episode concludes with thoughts on potential settlements and the global implications of the ruling. Takeaways Judge Metta's ruling largely favored Google's proposals. Chrome and Android were not deemed necessary for divestment. Distribution deals remain intact, benefiting Google. Data sharing is complicated by privacy concerns. Choice screens were dismissed as ineffective by the judge. The ruling does not reduce Google's search monopoly. AI's rise may challenge Google's dominance in the future. The DOJ's commitment to antitrust cases is uncertain. Future antitrust cases may focus on AI and other areas. Global implications of the ruling may affect future legislation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Emergency Episode 01:08 Judge Metta's Ruling Overview 02:02 Chrome and Android: The Monopoly Debate 05:37 Distribution Deals and Their Implications 09:13 Data Sharing and Its Challenges 14:41 Choice Screens: A Missed Opportunity 15:31 The Future of Google's Search Monopoly 19:42 Natural Monopoly vs. Competition 21:13 DOJ's Approach and Future Antitrust Cases 22:55 Next Steps for Google and Potential Settlements 26:36 Global Implications and Future Legislation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices