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© James Borow and Daniel Druger
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ADSN (The Ads Network) is a weekly show for people building and investing in ads, media, and monetization products. Every Tuesday, join James Borow and Daniel Druger as they bring over 30 years of experience to discuss the headlines and the why and how behind them. They also welcome industry leaders to go deep on topics in a fun and approachable format.
Join the ADSN crew every Tuesday 🗓️
Join the ADSN crew every Tuesday 🗓️
94 Episodes
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Hear the #1 food trend coming out of the biggest food show in the world and how George Zhou, founder of BUFFS, is transforming salty snacks with a better tasting, better for you, "beef Cheetos".George shares his experience at Expo West, one of the biggest food trade shows in the world, what trends he's seeing in food and beverage, how he built BUFFS while still in college, and why the next wave of food brands might look a lot more like farm-to-table than lab-to-shelf.George also shares the unexpected role AI played in building Buffs, how trial-and-error (and a lot of ChatGPT) helped shape the product, and why tools like Claude are becoming part of the modern founder toolkit.Plus, George shares a few insights on the wild world of TikTok and what it really takes to earn consumer attention.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES on Twitter & Linkedin – /jamesborowDANIEL on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
This week it’s all about AI optimism and looking at the posts that really dig into what happens when AI starts working with us…instead of just for us.James and Daniel dig into the viral chart on AI that’s been making the rounds and what it reveals about where AI is actually showing up across industries and where it still has a ways to go. This opens up a bigger question: are we further along than we think, or still just scratching the surface?They also talk about what jobs will get replaced by AI, those that will evolve, and even some jobs that get more valuable in an AI world. SaaS-pocalypse isn’t quite what it’s made out to be, and who will be the ultimate winners.And this week’s primary posts feature data from Ramp’s Economics Data Lab and how starting from scratch may be an easier path forward than fixing old problems.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES on Twitter & Linkedin – /jamesborowDANIEL on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
What do Nikita Bier, zerohedge, Ben Horowitz, and Burger King all have in common? Their Twitter takes were all featured on this week’s ADSN.James and Daniel check out the decline of office construction while data center construction is skyrocketing, clear signal that we’re moving even faster from physical to digital. The guys also unpack what that means for the future of work (hint: Revenue Per Agent is coming), the rise of bots creating bots, and why we’re in the geocities era. They also talk about why great salespeople are even more valuable in an AI world. And of course don’t miss this week’s primary posts.Joining the guys is Dante Dicicco, restaurant owner and product leader at Block, also known as Square, who brings a grounded, real world perspective on how AI is affecting operators today. They discuss procurement, payment processing economics, customer support, and how platforms like Square and Toast are getting restaurants to adopt AI. Dante also brings his experience being a restaurant owner to the show and shares first hand how he’s building tech into his main street business.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES on Twitter & Linkedin – /jamesborowDANIEL on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok – /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
In this episode of ADSN, James and Daniel follow the money. We break down the new monetization plays and where dollars are starting to flow. Including how Gemini and Amazon's Rufus are already printing billions, Snap embracing even more creator monetization, and what Web 4.0 means for revenue and payments, and much more.Bryan Kim, partner at Andreessen Horowitz, joins the show to talk about why adtech is having a moment again, how AI is ushering in a new era of engagement and distribution, and where the future is heading.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES Twitter – /jamesborow LinkedIn — /jamesborowDANIEL Instagram — /danieldruger TikTok — /danieldruger LinkedIn — /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
James and Daniel break down Peter Steinberger's massive move taking OpenClaw to OpenAI, Meta’s counter by integrating its recent Manus acquisition directly into ad and chat platforms. We also dive into why media and IP are in trouble, what ice dancing and AI have in common, and Netflix’s little brother moment.Later in the show, we sit down with Ben Putley, CEO of Alkimi, to discuss the fascinating convergence of AI and crypto. We explore how stablecoins and agent-to-agent payments are poised to fundamentally rewire digital ads.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES Twitter – /jamesborow LinkedIn — /jamesborowDANIEL Instagram — /danieldruger TikTok — /danieldruger LinkedIn — /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
In this episode, James and Daniel break down the rise of agentic social networks with Moltbook and what AI to AI interaction means for the future of ads and monetization. They dive into Elons's space moves, X moving closer to an everything app, and how ads are now rocket science.They also talk Netflix’s antitrust hearing, the Claude vs. OpenAI ad wars, the CAPEX spending spree, and more including this week's primary posts.Steven Liss, CEO of OpenAds, joins ADSN to explain how advertising works when the audience isn’t human; from marketing to AI agents, controlling data feeds, and why a well-aligned AI may be the ultimate ad blocker.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES Twitter – /jamesborow LinkedIn — /jamesborowDANIEL Instagram — /danieldruger TikTok — /danieldruger LinkedIn — /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
In this episode, James and Daniel break down Meta's monster earnings ($200B revenue, 3.58B daily users, $44B FCF), the marketing masterclass from Netflix and Warner Bros, the creator-to-$2M viral Dr. Pepper ad that's rewriting the creative playbook. We also explore the massive tech layoffs at Amazon, Pinterest, and others, and why AI may just be an excuse. Plus, Khaby Lame's $1 billion deal and vibe coding at the Super Bowl.Sam Khoury joins us to talk all things B2B creators and why the natural progression is from clips to live events. He's alsogiving ADSN listeners 30% off the Marketecture Live event using code SAM30.STAY CONNECTEDJAMES Twitter – /jamesborow LinkedIn — /jamesborowDANIEL Instagram — /danieldruger TikTok — /danieldruger LinkedIn — /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN.
In this ADSN episode, James and Daniel chat with Eric Seufert to discuss the varying strategies of AI ad monetization and where it all leads. We dive into Netflix’s latest earnings, highlighting what the company said about the state of their advertising business and the competitors they’re keeping an eye on. We cover the Netflix app redesign, battle for shorts, and why we’re now in a world where ‘media is media’. There’s plenty of ad news including the OpenAI announcements, Meta’s Reel revenue, and Amazon’s Rufus. STAY CONNECTED*JAMES*Twitter – /jamesborowLinkedIn — /jamesborow*DANIEL*Instagram — /danieldrugerTikTok — /ddrugerLinkedIn — /danieldruger👉 Hit Subscribe, then leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.It takes 10 seconds and makes all the difference in helping other people discover ADSN
ADSN returns with a with a big first episode back. James Borow and Daniel Druger break down the Gemini-Apple deal and the potential for AI assistants to be a new social network. They look at the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) with Google, Shopify, and others and what it could mean for agentic commerce. Mike Khristo CEO and co-founder of Layers.com joins James and Daniel to discuss the magic of Anthropic's Claude and how the release of Opus 4.5 has led to a step change in web, cross-platform, and desktop agents. He also gives real life examples of how vibe coding is bringing founders of any technical level from idea to launch.
Ari Paparo sits down to talk about his new book Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, and talk about some of the defining moment of ad tech.Buy the book at https://www.amazon.com/Yield-Google-Bullied-Advertising-Dominance/dp/B0F67HV2BBFollow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaovhttps://youtube.com/@theadsn
ADSN is made possible by:dash.fi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/Follow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaov?si=4b9b1c3697944021https://youtube.com/@theadsn
ADSN is made possible by:DashFi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/Follow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaov?si=4b9b1c3697944021https://youtube.com/@theadsn____________________________________Sponsored by DashFiIf You’re Spending $100K+ Per Month on Ads, You’re Probably Overpaying.DashFi is the corporate charge card built for advertisers spending heavily on Meta and Google. Our AI-powered Ad Pay Protection uncovers hidden overcharges and billing discrepancies—protecting your campaigns from costly billing failures and putting real money back into your business.In the last $20M of audited ad spend, DashFi uncovered an average of 12% in discrepancies, with advertisers receiving up to 6% back in ad credits. With high flexible limits, no personal guarantee, and fast approvals, you can scale spend without financial roadblocks.👉 Want to see how much you’re leaving on the table?Email phat@dash.fi to request a VIP application today.
ADSN is made possible by dash.fi & Measured.Today on ADSN, James Borow & Daniel Druger dive into:💸 Why payments are the new cookies and why this is so money for Dr. Mark Grether and the PayPal Ads team. 🍎 Why Apple should adopt the same philosophy and go all in.👻 Snap Inc.'s affiliate program and why Fintan Gillespie & Ali Rana are geniuses.🤖 How ad tech is fundable again (h/t Icon) and the future of ad supported AI.And talk with Waymark's Alex Persky-Stern about the future of AI video ads and which models you should know about ASAP.
ADSN is made possible by:DashFi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/Follow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaov?si=4b9b1c3697944021https://youtube.com/@theadsn____________________________________Sponsored by DashFiIf You’re Spending $100K+ Per Month on Ads, You’re Probably Overpaying.DashFi is the corporate charge card built for advertisers spending heavily on Meta and Google. Our AI-powered Ad Pay Protection uncovers hidden overcharges and billing discrepancies—protecting your campaigns from costly billing failures and putting real money back into your business.In the last $20M of audited ad spend, DashFi uncovered an average of 12% in discrepancies, with advertisers receiving up to 6% back in ad credits. With high flexible limits, no personal guarantee, and fast approvals, you can scale spend without financial roadblocks.👉 Want to see how much you’re leaving on the table?Email phat@dash.fi to request a VIP application today.
ADSN is the ESPN for the ads/marketing industry. This week, hosts James Borow and Daniel welcome guest commentators Eric Seufert and Taylor Holiday to talk about current market volatility, tariffs, and the impact on ad platforms and DTC brands.ADSN is made possible by: dash.fi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/Follow ADSN: Keep up with ADSN:https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://youtube.com/@theadsn
ADSN is the ESPN for the ads/marketing industry. This week, hosts James Borow and Daniel talk all things tariffs, AI, even more AI, and M&A with a special guest appearance from Conor McKenna from LUMA Partners.ADSN is made possible by:dash.fi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/Follow ADSN: https://TheADSN.comhttps://x.com/The_ADSNhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3JyftL7aNBc7Q5axOdIaov?si=4b9b1c3697944021https://youtube.com/@theadsn
ADSN is the ESPN for the ads/marketing industry. This week, hosts James Borow and Daniel talk all things vibe coding, AI ads, why Zuck claims Meta is not an ads co and have a special guest appearance from the Boring Marketer (aka James Dickerson) to do a deep dive on Vibe Marketing - the term and concept that he created - and why marketers and advertisers should care.ADSN is made possible by:dash.fi - https://dash.fiMeasured - https://measured.com/
Alexis Rivas, co-founder and CEO of Cover, talks rebuilding LA after the recent wildfires. Explore how Cover's innovative use of technology is transforming home construction, and how this approach could impact the recovery efforts - making it faster, efficient, and affordable. Tune in to learn how Alexis sees the future of residential building and zoning - and how Cover is playing a pivotal role in the city's recovery.
The Taking Inventory podcast was originally about the digital economy and advertising, but after our co-host's house burned down—thanks to LA’s chaos—we’ve shifted our focus to fixing what could be the best city in the world.
In our first episode about rebuilding LA, we have Jennifer Fitzgerald, the co-founder and former CEO of Policy Genius. Jennifer is working full-time on recovery and rebuilding efforts after losing her home and most of her neighborhood in the 2025 Palisades Fire in LA.
If you like Taking Inventory, do us a favor and give us a 5-star rating or review. It’s the best way to help support the podcast.
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During the intro James and Daniel share a big update about Market AI and the reason for the short break between episodes.
After the intro, Conor McKenna, Partner at LUMA Partners, rejoins the podcast to share what he's seeing in the M&A markets across sectors within adtech and martech, and what's driving that activity. Conor discusses the impact of the upcoming presidential election, the economy, and the potential M&A implications of the Google antitrust trial.
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Connect with James and Daniel!
LinkedIn:
James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesborow/
Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldruger/
Twitter:
James: https://twitter.com/jamesborow
Daniel: https://twitter.com/ddruger
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.takinginventorypod.com/ and follow Taking Inventory on LinkedIn and Twitter
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