Quo Vadis: AdTech Economic Forum Podcast Episode #5 with Mark Zgutowitz

Welcome to the Quo Vadis podcast series dedicated to one-to-one interviews with the speakers who took the stage at the AdTech Economic Forum.

In this pod series, we get to know what our esteemed speakers are up to touching on their career journeys and hearing their unique perspectives across the many facets shaping the AdTech scene.

Takeaways:

Stagwell's Unique Position 🏢: Stagwell is a holding company with a strong focus on digital, aiming to integrate SaaS and DaaS revenue streams, setting it apart from traditional holding companies.  

The Trade Desk Valuation 📈: The Trade Desk has demonstrated strong performance, but its high valuation raises questions about long-term justification, especially when compared to Google.  

CTV and Agency Dynamics 📺: There's an ongoing discussion about the shift of TV buys to programmatic, with differing views on how agencies and platforms like The Trade Desk and Media Ocean are influencing this change.  

Google and DOJ Antitrust Cases ⚖️: The DOJ's antitrust cases against Google, particularly concerning search and display, are significant, but there are debates about their timeliness and potential impact, especially with the rise of AI.  

AI's Impact on AdTech 🤖: AI is a major disruptor in the AdTech space, with questions about how companies will adapt and compete, given the substantial capital required for investment.  

Tariffs and Ad Spending 💰: Potential tariffs, especially with a new Trump administration, could significantly affect ad spending, particularly in the pharma and China-based advertiser sectors.  

Pharma Advertising Debate 💊: The role and impact of pharma advertising in the U.S. is under discussion, with contrasting views on its benefits and drawbacks compared to regions like Europe.