Trillion Dollar Ads

What happens when a Zomato hustler-turned-retail media leader decides to take on Asia Pacific’s ad tech game?On this episode of Trillion Dollar Ads, I sit down with Prashant Kala, who started his career in the early days of Zomato and now runs the ads business for Agoda across Asia Pacific. From building teams at ShopBack to shaping how travel brands, marketplaces and even non-endemic players think about retail media, Prashant has seen it all. We talk about his journey, the shifts in ad tech since 2011, and why Southeast Asia is now hitting its retail media hockey stick moment.If you’re curious about retail media growth, AI-driven ads, and the future of ad tech in Asia, this one’s for you.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Zomato to Agoda: Retail media’s wild journey(03:06) Is Southeast Asia the next retail media boom?(04:59) Why e-commerce ads don’t always kill user experience(07:05) The hockey-stick moment for retail media growth(10:08) Three moves shaping ad tech’s future right now(12:22) Offsite advertising: The hottest play in digital marketing(14:32 DSP dilemma: Build in-house or partner smart?(16:12) Four secrets to scaling ad businesses successfully(20:52) Can single-country retail media reach massive scale?(22:37) Retail media vs Google, Meta, TikTok: Who wins?(24:39) Clean rooms: Why conversions aren’t adding up(27:32) Attribution trap: Why CMOs still struggle with measurement(29:22) Non-endemic brands cracking travel advertising campaigns(34:06) What keeps retail media leaders awake at night(36:12) AI precision ads: The future of digital marketing(37:48) Why the next two years decide retail mediaHostJayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalised CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.GuestPrashant KalaCommercial leader with 15+ years of experience scaling e-commerce, retail media and digital platforms across APAC. Currently leading Agoda’s media solutions, driving growth through innovative advertising strategies globally. Passionate about the intersection of technology, travel, advertising and building high-performing teams that thrive in multicultural environments.—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

What happens when a media veteran trades ad land for the world of data privacy?In this episode, I sat down with Gman, former APAC head at Mindshare and now founder of Saptharushi, a privacy-tech startup tackling the messy world of data consent. After 30 years of shaping advertising strategies for big brands, he saw the writing on the wall—privacy was the next big frontier.Gman takes us through his journey from media planning in Chennai to building solutions for one of advertising’s biggest headaches: third-party cookies. He shares what privacy-enhancing tech really means, why Google’s Privacy Sandbox stumbled, and why it’s time for the open web to step up.It’s a crash course in data, trust, and why the ad world may never look the same again.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) A veteran ad man jumps into privacy—why?(01:30) The one rule every brand is breaking(03:30) What Google, Apple, and regulators are really fighting over(05:00) Are your clicks being tracked without consent?(07:30) Why Google’s power is everyone’s problem(09:30) The hidden reason Privacy Sandbox was doomed(12:30) Could a browser-neutral world save online ads?(15:30) The ad targeting model might collapse—here’s why(18:00) Say goodbye to bad data. Say hello to… what?(20:30) Gen Z and Boomers want totally different things(23:00) Why publishers are stuck—and what they can’t decide(25:00) What Australia did that no one else dares(26:30) The future of clean rooms, consent, and collaborationHostJayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalised CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.GuestGowthaman RagothamanGowthaman Ragothaman, known in the advertising fraternity as G’man, is the Founding CEO of Saptharushi. Saptharushi aims to encourage the responsible use of consumer data through distributed ledger-based technologies to help enterprises engage with their consumers, effectively and efficiently. Previously G’man held senior roles in the advertising industry as Global Client Lead at WPP and as the CEO of Mindshare, growing it into a leading media agency in India.—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

How did a random internship at eBay lead to a thriving career in advertising?Dive into this episode of the Trillion Dollar Ads Podcast where Timmy Bankole reveals his unexpected journey from an eager intern at eBay to a key player in the ad tech scene. Hear firsthand how Timmy fell in love with the challenges and innovations of advertising and how he's shaping its future. Join us for a candid discussion on the seismic shifts in digital advertising and the personal stories behind the success!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Discover the Internship that Sparked a Career!(01:30) What Happens When Third-Party Cookies Crumble?(02:30) Early Changes in Advertising: A Personal Take(04:00) Navigating Shifts: From Ad Sales to App Tech(06:00) Is First-Party Data the Advertising Holy Grail?(09:00) Strategies for Engaging Modern Audiences(12:00) The Real Impact of Data Clean Rooms Revealed!(15:00) How Small Publishers Can Innovate with Limited Resources(18:00) The Balance Between Revenue and User Privacy(21:00) Exploring Alternatives to Google's Dominance(24:00) The Future of Publisher-Advertiser Relationships(27:00) What Lies Ahead for Digital Advertising?Host: Jayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalised CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.Guest: Timmy BankoleAssociate director, digital operationsSouth China Morning PostLeading SCMP’s digital operations team, Timmy Bankole was formerly head of supply & operations at the advertising technology company, Blis Asia. He has years of experience from working in the media industry, with a specialised knowledge of programmatic and brand development, in areas including optimisation, developing teams and business developmenthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/timmy-bankole-7a681152/—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

How did a marketing leader turn fashion into a retail media powerhouse? Join me as I chat with Alin Dobrea, who shares his journey from starting in London’s ad agencies to leading Zalora’s marketing services in Southeast Asia. Alin talks about building a business from scratch, navigating the fast-growing world of retail media, and offering brands a full 360° marketing solution. If you're curious about what it takes to succeed in this dynamic space, this conversation is one you won't want to miss!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How did Alin Dobrea’s journey in retail media begin?(01:30) The secret behind Asia Pacific’s growing retail media trend(03:00) What makes Southeast Asian customers so unique?(04:00) How does Zalora’s 360° approach set them apart from competitors?(06:00) The power of blending influencer marketing with retail media(09:00) Surprising partnerships: What do energy drinks and fashion have in common?(12:30) The tough choices behind balancing customer experience with advertising(16:00) A game-changing moment that convinced brands to embrace retail media(20:00) Why 360° marketing is the future of retail media(26:30) The next big thing in retail media: Will offline and online collide?Host: Jayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalised CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.Guest: Alin DobreaAlin Dobrea is a marketing and digital director with over thirteen years of experience in building and scaling brands. He is currently the Group Marketing and Platform Services Director at ZALORA, one of the largest fashion, sports, and beauty e-commerce platforms in Asia.In this role, Alin is responsible for leading and growing ZALORA's in-house marketing agency and retail media network, ZALORA Advertising Platform (ZAP). ZAP is a self-service ad tech platform that allows brands to reach millions of consumers based in Asia. This is made possible by enabling brands to benefit from ZALORA's extensive media buying, data science and tech capabilities. Under Alin’s leadership, ZAP has built a specialist team of growth, product, and operations marketers to drive revenue for the business and work with hundreds of brands on the platform on user acquisition, retention, and loyalty for both B2C and B2B segments.https://www.linkedin.com/in/alindobrea/—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

What does it take to build a successful business in Asia? In this episode, Jayesh sits down with Jordan Khoo, a pioneer in the ad tech space, who shares his 20-year journey of building companies across Southeast Asia. From leading iBlaster’s evolution to MediaMind and its eventual acquisition by Amazon, to founding DoubleVerify’s APAC operations, Jordan has navigated both the highs and challenges of the dynamic ad industry. Tune in to hear about his experiences, the hurdles of scaling businesses in diverse Asian markets, and his insights on the future of advertising and media in the region.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How does a 20-year ad tech journey begin?(01:30) From rich media tech to Amazon—what’s the secret?(04:00) APAC's advertising market: Smaller or just misunderstood?(06:00) The key to conquering diverse markets in Asia.(09:30) Fraud in advertising: Is AI the double-edged sword?(12:30) Why does brand safety still matter so much?(15:00) The future of connected TV: A game changer or a long way off?(19:00) Data clean rooms: What’s holding back collaboration in Asia?(22:00) M&A in Asia: What are investors really looking for?(27:00) E-commerce affiliate marketing: Still relevant or on the decline?HostJayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalized CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.GuestJordan KhooManaging Director, APACJordan is responsible for spearheading DoubleVerify's expansion into the high-growth Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Prior to DV, he served as VP, APAC for Sizmek (now part of Amazon). At Sizmek, he was instrumental in helping the company become the dominant independent ad-server in APAC – supporting key clients and agencies across 13 offices in the region. Jordan brings over 15 years of sales leadership experience and expertise in navigating the complex Asian market landscape. He holds a B.E. (Honors) from University of Science, Malaysia (USM).—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

In this episode Prantik shares his unexpected journey from studying computer engineering at NUS to becoming a key player in the advertising world. He talks about his roles at Pinstorm, Happy Marketer, and Merkle, and how he’s shaped the industry. Alongside his work in advertising, Prantik is an active investor, president of the TIE chapter, and a sports enthusiast. Tune in for an exciting story of career transformation and industry insights!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How did Prantik Mazumdar's journey in advertising begin?(02:00) What key experiences shaped Prantik's career in advertising? (03:00) How did Happy Marketer start and evolve? (04:30) What challenges do marketers face in Asia Pacific? (06:00) How important is brand differentiation and positioning?(07:30) What role do metrics play in marketing effectiveness?(09:30) How mature is the industry in using first-party data for personalization? (10:30) How do big tech companies influence advertising spend in APAC? (11:30) What opportunities does AI present for the advertising industry? (18:30) How can publishers in Southeast Asia compete with big tech?(22:00) What is the future of retail media in Southeast Asia? (28:00) How do you balance brand and performance marketing? (32:00) What advice does Prantik have for entrepreneurs in the Gen AI space? Your Host: Jayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra GlobalJayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalized CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.Our Guest: Prantik MazumdarPresident, TiE Singapore | Ex-Dentsu & Happy Marketer | Venture InvestorPrantik Mazumdar is a respected entrepreneur, venture investor, and digital transformation catalyst, currently serving as President of TiE Singapore, where he supports and mentors startups across the region. As the co-founder of Happy Marketer, he built one of APAC’s most awarded digital marketing firms, leading to its acquisition by Merkle, part of Dentsu International. At Dentsu Singapore, he served as Managing Director, driving CRM, analytics, and marketing automation for global brands. Now, Prantik continues to shape the digital landscape through venture investments and by helping businesses navigate transformation and sustainable growth.—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!

Retail media is quietly transforming Southeast Asia's advertising landscape.Join me on this episode of Trillion Dollar Ads as I chat with JJ Eastwood, the Managing Director of Carousell Media. JJ shares his journey from eBay to Carousell Media, highlighting his early involvement in retail media and the evolution of the industry. We'll explore how he's spearheaded innovative advertising strategies at Carousel, the challenges faced, and the promising future of retail media in the region. Tune in for an insightful conversation on navigating the dynamic world of digital advertising!Also on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrillionDollarAdsIN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How did JJ Eastwood enter the advertising industry? (03:30) What are the key differences between the U.S. and APAC retail media markets? (04:00) How are companies in Southeast Asia investing in retail media? (05:30) Why are traditional marketing budgets shifting to retail media in Southeast Asia? (08:00) How can non-endemic brands succeed on retail media platforms? (11:30) What strategic decisions helped build Carousell Media? (15:00) How does Carousell Media use data to benefit advertisers? (24:00) Are clean rooms becoming more common in retail media?(26:30) What is the future of retail media in Southeast Asia? (28:00) What advice does JJ Eastwood have for ad tech players entering Southeast Asia?Your Host: Jayesh EaswaramonyAPAC Digital Advertising & Martech Specialist | Founder, Spectra Globalhttps://www.spectraglobal.tech/Jayesh is a leading expert in APAC’s digital advertising and martech landscape and founder of Spectra Global, a consulting firm that helps media, telcos, and retailers accelerate adtech transformation and monetize data through cost-efficient platforms, growth marketing automation, and personalized CX strategies. Previously, he scaled InMobi across APAC, positioning it as a bold alternative to Big Tech by securing deals with top advertisers, agencies, and publishers, while executing over $400M in ad campaigns. He also led the award-winning Capstone team, which won over 60 awards for pioneering advancements in AR, chatbot, and location-based ads, blending data and creativity.Our Guest: JJ EastwoodSVP at Carousell Group | Managing Director at Carousell Media GroupJJ is the founding Managing Director of Carousell Media Group, where he integrated Carousell, Mudah, and Chotot into a unified ad platform and built a strong regional advertising team, driving key innovations such as Carousell Connect and Carousell Shopping Ads. JJ has pioneered digital advertising and retail media across APAC's top marketplaces. He launched eBay Australia’s advertising business, built Australia’s largest programmatic private marketplace, and led Rakuten’s growth in Asia-Pacific.—-Trillion Dollar Ads podcastWelcome to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast, where we explore the key trends and challenges in the advertising industry, especially in Asia Pacific. We discuss the unique characteristics and challenges of this diverse region with successful ad-funded business model leaders, including publishers, agency professionals, and ad tech players. Additionally, we examine the high percentage of ad dollars going to big tech in Asia Pacific and strategies for local publishers to compete. Tune in now!---ABOUT SPECTRA GLOBALWe are experts in building digital growth flywheels via integration of Martech, Advertising, Data and CX . Get in touch: https://www.spectraglobal.tech/contact#trilliondollarads #adtech #innovativeadvertising #advertisingtrends #martech #retailmedia #carousell #carousellsg

Welcome to Trillion Dollar Ads! In this podcast, we discuss the top trends and challenges facing the advertising industry, especially from an Asia Pacific standpoint.For example:- Digital advertising will be a trillion dollar industry by 2028. What are the trends leading up to it? How should marketers adapt?- Retail media has already crossed $200 billion in revenues, and we are seeing more and more retailers building their retail media platforms. Will it displace other ad formats?- There is a lot of scrutiny and pushback around privacy, especially towards Big Tech, who manage much of the ad spend. Will we see the emergence of multiple IDs? Will we see more data collaboration? Will we see more publishers investing in first party data and creating seller-defined audiences?- How do we measure cross-media reach across different screens and different formats? Will we need third-parties that measure and certify performance across channels?- AI is changing the world in many ways. How will it impact content creation, campaign optimisation, media planning?There is a lot to unpack. And we promise some very hard-hitting episodes with prominent speakers that might just shake your world and make you think very differently about your future.So if you’re a digital marketer do subscribe to the Trillion Dollar Ads podcast and come back very soon!