Tech Talks: Day 4

Predicting the unpredictable with smarter data decisions

The market’s messy. Budgets are tight. And marketers are under more pressure than ever to prove what’s working – fast. So how do the smartest brands stay one step ahead? In this episode of Tech Talks with The Drum, Maggie Merklin from Analytic Partners and Kay Vizon from Kroger unpack how to make better data-driven decisions in uncertain times. From the reality of brand vs. performance to measurement in 2025, they break down how to turn complex data into commercial clarity.

Reaching the right audience with smarter contextual targeting

As marketers look beyond cookies, contextual targeting is stepping into the spotlight. In this episode of Tech Talks with The Drum, Lionel Bensoussan from Equativ explains how smarter contextual strategies are helping brands connect with audiences in real time. From local advertising to AI-driven insights, he explores how to boost attention and efficiency without relying on personal data.

Making retail media work harder with smarter data strategies

Retail media is booming - but building an effective retail media network comes with complexity. In this episode of Tech Talks with The Drum, Gabriel Paton from Infillion breaks down how smarter data strategies are unlocking new value for both retailers and brands. From streamlining fragmented tech stacks to proving closed-loop attribution, he explains how to turn first-party data into measurable impact.

Monks’ new head of AI, Dave Meeker, on what client success with artificial intelligence should look like

Dave Meeker, who previously led innovation at Isobar and Dentsu, has just been announced as Monks’ new head of AI. In his first interview in the post, he tells Gordon Young what it will entail and why the emergence of AI is the most profound innovation he’s encountered yet.

Sir Martin & Sir Martian: Sorrell’s out-of-this-world take on the Omnicom-Interpublic merger

Join Sir Martin Sorrell—along with his mischievous alter ego, Sir Martian—for an unfiltered conversation at CES. Sir Martian is Monks' AI-powered robot that blends advanced robotics and large language models to create personalized artistic experiences, engaging users through lifelike sketches and tailored interactions. From bold predictions about industry consolidation to witty critiques of rival holding companies, Sorrell stirs the waters on the Omnicom-Interpublic merger, the rise of AI, and the future of advertising. Expect insights, a few provocations, and more than a touch of cosmic mischief.

Raja Rajamannar on marketing for the agentic age and multi-sensory marketing

At CES 2025, Raja Rajamannar dives into agentic AI and multi-sensory marketing, revealing how Mastercard is creating unique, priceless experiences while adapting to a new era of bot-to-bot marketing.

Innovation Insider: Panasonic’s head of branding & comms Megan Pollock on AI, brand legacy & sustainability

Megan Pollock, vice-president of branding and strategic communication at Panasonic North America, discusses the brand’s approach to inclusivity in marketing and the integration of AI to enhance consumer experiences. Plus, she explores the challenge of balancing Panasonic’s legacy of innovation with modern branding strategies and gets candid about promoting sustainability to eco-conscious consumers.

Innovation Insider: Snapchat’s AR lead Resh Sidhu believes that AR glasses are the next frontier for branded experiences

Resh Sidhu, co-founder and global director of Snap’s in-house AR shop, Arcadia Creative Studio, discusses the rapid evolution of augmented reality and its impact on brand storytelling. She explores how Arcadia is integrating AI to deliver personalized AR experiences, overcoming global scaling challenges and staying ahead of consumer trends. Sidhu also showcases the developer version of Snapchat Spectacles, the company’s AI glasses – and explains how they differ from Ray-Ban’s Meta smart glasses.

Innovation Insider: TikTok exec Cassie Taylor talks trends & the future of creative marketing – ahead of Supreme Court arguments

Cassie Taylor, who leads creative solutions and trends at TikTok globally, opens up about the company’s strategy amid legal uncertainties in the US, highlights insights from the platform’s 2025 Trend Report and explores how generative AI is reshaping creativity. She also opines on the future of TikTok Shop, engaging niche communities on TikTok and how brands can seize the cultural moment.

Tech Talks: Day 3

On the third full day of CES 2025, The Drum’s US associate editor Kendra Barnett and Monks’ global chief client officer Deborah Heslip recap some of the biggest developments of the week, from Google’s new generative AI tools to Toyota’s partnership with Nvidia – and the ‘Worst in Show’ awards. Plus, Heslip weighs in on why it’s important for the advertising and marketing community to participate in the annual tech show.

Innovation Insider: NBCUniversal ad exec Josh Feldman on streaming, diversity in entertainment & transforming TV advertising

NBCU’s CMO of advertising and partnerships Josh Feldman unpacks the entertainment behemoth’s shift to streaming-first strategies, the use of AI and data to optimize ad targeting, representation in entertainment and the push to make TV advertising a full-funnel performance tool.

Innovation Insider: Uber’s global head of advertising Kristi Argyilan on media innovation & the future of mobility

The ridesharing giant’s top advertising leader breaks down Uber Advertising’s rapid growth, the rollout of new ad formats and how retail media strategies are reshaping its value proposition. Plus, she shares insights on balancing user experience with innovation and the evolving role of mobility platforms in the media ecosystem at large.

Innovation Insider: Microsoft VP Silvia Candiani on AI’s impact on media, advertising & ethical innovation

In dialogue with The Drum’s US associate editor Kendra Barnett, the media executive conjectures on the transformative role of AI in media and advertising, from specialized models to AI-powered agents, while addressing ethics, privacy and the company’s evolving partnership with OpenAI. She also shares bold predictions for tech and media in 2025.

Innovation Insider: Pinterest CTO Matt Madrigal wants to define the forefront of visual-led search– with the help of AI

Pinterest CTO Matt Madrigal opines on the platform’s transformation into a powerhouse for shoppable content, the role of AI in personalizing experiences and new tools for businesses. He also discusses the company’s approach to consumer data privacy and shares his vision for Pinterest’s future in a competitive digital landscape.

Innovation Insider: Samsung Electronics CMO Allison Stransky talks connected homes & the future of consumer tech

At CES 2025, Allison Stransky unpacks Samsung’s marketing priorities, from driving adoption of its AI-powered connected home vision to positioning Galaxy AI against Apple Intelligence. She also shares insights on navigating data privacy, reshaping the marketing funnel, and what’s next for consumer electronics.

Innovation Insider: iHeartPodcasts president Will Pearson on podcasting trends, AI-driven ads & audience engagement

iHeartMedia’s Will Pearson, who helms iHeartPodcasts, joins The Drum’s US associate editor Kendra Barnett in a wide-ranging conversation on the future of podcasting, delving into the potential of AI-powered audio ads, branded content strategies, overcoming discoverability challenges and cross-platform storytelling in an increasingly competitive audio landscape.

Innovation Insider: LG Ad Solutions CMO Tony Marlow believes 2025 will be a breakthrough year for CTV

The tech exec sits down with The Drum’s US associate editor Kendra Barnett to dissect all things CTV innovation – from AI-powered advertising and interactive ad formats to political advertising on streaming and more.

Innovation Insider: Activision Blizzard exec Claire Nance on gaming trends, in-game ads & the future of immersive play

Claire Nance, head of global gaming business success strategy at Activision Blizzard shares insights on gaming’s integration into mainstream media, strategies for authentic in-game advertising and how technologies like AR, VR and AI are reshaping immersive brand experiences.

Tech Talks at CES: Day 2

The Drum’s US associate editor Kendra Barnett and Monks’ global senior vice-president of partner growth Tobey Van Santvoord unpack the biggest developments at CES 2025 thus far – from new processors to AI for autonomous vehicles. Plus, US reporter Audrey Kemp showcases three of the most disruptive technologies on the showroom floor.

Innovation Insider: Meta CMO Alex Schultz on censorship, marketing Ray-Ban AI glasses & tech regulation

In a sweeping conversation at CES 2025, the tech exec opined marketing Meta’s AI products, using data effectively, tech regulation and more.

Tech Talks at CES: Day 1

The Drum is kicking off CES 2025 with a look at this year’s event – from the tech titans making waves to trends forecasting for the week ahead. Stay tuned for daily on-the-ground coverage from CES 2025 in Las Vegas!