On the latest episode of The Aperiam Podcast, Corey Ferengul moderates…sort of a debate…between Joe Zawadzki and Erica Chriss on whether cookie deprecation was a crisis or a catalyst.

Was identity always essential—or have retail media and curation shown us a better path?

Smart, fast-paced, and full of insights for CMOs, investors, and adtech insiders.

M&A in AdTech: Dead or Just Sleeping?

In this week's Aperiam Podcast, Corey and Joe dive into what’s really happening in the M&A market, why being “ready” matters even when you're not for sale, and how founders should think about story, data, and the art of the soft pitch. Get an indepth view on how Corey and Joe think about running an M&A process.

Plus, an Easter egg offer for our listeners…

Is Microsoft’s DSP shutdown a bold AI bet or a quiet surrender?

In this episode, Joe Zawadzki and Corey Ferengul unpack Microsoft's decision to wind down Xandr by 2026 — and what it signals about the future of DSPs in an agentic, AI-driven world. 🚫📈🤖

We talk:

• Why big companies fail at ad tech rollups
• How agentic AI disrupts the programmatic model
• The rise of modular, API-first ad stacks
• Whether we’re heading toward 3 mega-DSPs or 3,000 micro-platforms
• Why Microsoft might be doing with ads what Harvard once did with linguistics (yes, really)

If you care about the future of ad tech, automation, or why sometimes blowing things up is the right move — this one’s for you.

#AperiamPodcast #AdTech #AI #DSP #Programmatic #Azure #Microsoft #Advertising #MediaBuying #Innovation #AgenticAI

In this spirited edition of The Aperiam Podcast, Corey Ferengul moderates a dynamic debate between Joe Zawadzki and Erica Chriss on one of ad tech's most pressing questions: Is the future of programmatic driven by curated SSPs or discovery-oriented DSPs?

Framed around the buzzword “curation,” the trio unpacks whether the power in ad tech is shifting toward pre-packaged inventory strategies or remains in the hands of data-driven, algorithmic buying. From vertical ad stacks to AI agents, the discussion spans tactical considerations and broader philosophical implications—including who should own performance and how both sides can (and must) evolve.

Whether you're a brand, publisher, or tech platform, this episode offers insight into the evolving balance of power in digital advertising—and why a hybrid approach may define the next era.

Fresh off the beach and deep in conversation, Joe Zawadzki and Corey Ferengul break down everything they saw and heard at Possible 2025 in Miami—from the undercurrent of AI innovation to the silence around macroeconomics.

They discuss:

• Why AI was everywhere—but not just as a buzzword.
• The conspicuous absence of macroeconomic discussion—and why politics might be the reason.
• The impact of the Google verdict on the market..
• Hiring freezes, AI-native companies, and the rise of lean startups.

In this episode of The Aperiam Podcast, Corey Ferengul and Joe Zawadzki are joined by Ana Milicevic—ad tech pioneer, board member at ID5, and co-founder of Sparrow Advisers—for a deep dive into the intersection of telco, identity, and innovation.

The trio unpacks:

• How Bell Canada is building a future-facing retail media stack
• Why Canada is the ideal test market for global media innovation
• The evolution of retail media networks beyond traditional retail
• Lessons from past failures in telco-ad tech marriages, and what’s different now
• What it takes to build resilient, anti-fragile companies in uncertain times
• Why AI investment is mission-critical—especially during downturns

From shoppable TV and CTV sequencing to data strategy and go-to-market design, this episode is a masterclass in how legacy companies can embrace agility, leverage data, and reimagine their role in the media ecosystem.

Joe and Corey discuss a different take on the federal ruling that Google is a monopoly. They focus on what's next for marketeers, publishers and start ups.

Media companies are bouncing between open and closed ecosystems for their CTV inventory. Joe and guest Erica Chriss debate the both sides - should a media provider have an open garden or an closed one?