AdStops: Podcast Advertising On Track

In this episode, host Angela Stiveson, Director of Ad Operations, ADOPTER Media, is joined by audio industry veteran Marques Pfaff, Managing Partner: Amplitude Media Partners & Co-Founder: RAM Media Services for an insightful conversation about one of the most persistent challenges in podcast advertising: terminology. They explore common misinterpretations of terms like DAI, baked-in, faked-in, and embedded ads, and how these differences impact everything from execution to attribution and renewals. Listen in as Angela and Marques explore how clearer language and standardized definitions can help align ad ops, buyers, and publishers, ultimately leading to better campaign performance and stronger results. If you're an ad ops professional, marketer, brand, host, or publisher this episode is sure to hit home!

If you work in podcast advertising, you've probably heard it before: authenticity matters. But what does that actually mean in practice? In the latest episode of AdStops,Tiffany Rubenstein (ADOPTER Media Co-Founder & COO) and Angela Stiveson (Director of AdOps) sit down with Senior Account Manager Kelsi Schreiber to talk about what makes a great podcast ad —from the AdOps perspective. Kelsi brings a unique perspective to the table. She's not only a seasoned ad operations pro; she's also a creator herself. Her experience on both sides of the mic gives her insight into how brands and hosts can collaborate for ad reads that actually work. Whether you're a brand investing in podcast ads, a creator fine-tuning your delivery, or an AdOps pro keeping it all on track, this episode is full of takeaways worth your time.

In this episode, Ad Ops host Angela Stiveson, Director of Ad Operations, ADOPTER Media chats with Sydney Dennis, Manager of Ad Operations at Libsyn Ads, about the day-to-day realities of working in ad ops from both the network and agency sides. From the hiccups that can derail product sample deliveries to the art of coordinating onboarding calls, they swap smart workarounds and relatable challenges. You'll also hear their take on what makes ad copy truly effective—and why flexibility and strong relationships are essential to every successful campaign.

In this episode of AdStops, Tiffany Rubenstein, COO and Co-Founder of ADOPTER Media, and Angela Stiveson, Director of Ad Operations, talk through the crucial early stages of onboarding new podcast advertising clients—and the often-unseen work an ad operations team tackles behind the scenes. From crafting effective ad copy with standout calls to action, to troubleshooting URL structures and securing unique promo codes (spoiler: "mom" and "murder" are probably taken), the conversation reveals just how much thoughtful preparation goes into every campaign. They also dig into the logistics—like making sure product samples arrive on time, why host onboarding calls matter, and how communication can make or break an ad read. They also drop some real-world gems—like the fact that even changing one word in your ad copy still counts as a full rewrite. Yep, one word. So maybe hold off on that "quick tweak" unless you've got time to spare. If you've ever wondered how a podcast ad goes from idea to airtime—or just want to know what size mattress you should be ordering for that host—this episode is your behind-the-scenes guide.

In this episode, Angela is joined by Sydney Dennis, Manager of Ad Operations at Libsyn Ads, to explore why Ad Ops is essential to podcast ad success. They share insights from their Podcast Movement panel, highlighting how proactive Ad Ops strategies strengthen brand partnerships and deliver measurable results. Whether you're an Ad Ops professional, marketer, brand, host, or just curious, this episode offers actionable advice on collaboration, authenticity, and preparation.  

Hosts Tiffany Rubenstein, Co-Founder & COO of ADOPTER Media, and Angela Stiveson, Director of AdOps, bring years of experience in managing and optimizing podcast ad campaigns. They share their backgrounds, how they got into Ad Ops, and why they're passionate about the industry. This podcast is designed for anyone working in Ad Ops or ad trafficking, whether on the agency or network side. It's also for podcast creators who want to better understand advertising, improve their ad reads, and learn what brands are really looking for when they invest in podcast sponsorships. Throughout the series, we'll explore what makes an ad successful, highlight best practices, and discuss the real challenges and wins in the ever-evolving world of podcast advertising. We'll be sharing insights, tips, and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories, and we're excited to welcome industry guests in future episodes. Join us as we kick off this exciting journey into podcast Ad Ops!

Hosts Tiffany Rubenstein (COO & Co-Founder) and Angela Stiveson (Director of Ad Operations) of ADOPTER Media discuss the right AdOps moves to ensure successful launches, resonate scripts, prevent bad reads, and fix what's broken. Together, they deliver sharp insights, real-world stories, and the occasional laugh—because AdOps is serious business, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring.