AdTechGod Pod: Episode 105 Summary

Guest: David Danziger, SVP of Partnerships at Distillery

Host: AdTechGod

Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, AdTechGod welcomes David Danziger, SVP of Partnerships at Distillery, for a candid conversation about the rapid evolution of advertising technology, the impact and limitations of AI and machine learning, and the persistent importance of human connection in the industry. Together, they delve into David’s multifaceted career, the rise of agentic AI, shifts in audience targeting, and why relationships still matter in ad tech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. David Danziger’s Career Journey and Joining Distillery

[02:07–05:01]

• David’s Path to Ad Tech: Started in neural network optimization for direct mail at a startup in Austin, then moved to Axiom, Merkle, The Trade Desk, Habu, and eventually Distillery.
• First Exposure to Distillery: Met the team when Distillery pivoted into audience targeting and early machine learning (ML/AI) work, which left a strong impression.
• Ad Tech Careers: Many fall into the field almost by accident, navigating from data to marketing to true ad tech.

Notable Quote:
"I almost fell into this industry as I feel like a lot of people do. By this industry I mean intersection of data and marketing... I was coming out of grad school and interviewed with this startup in Austin, Texas... They were doing neural network optimization for direct mail at the time."
– David Danziger [02:30]

2. How AI and ML Have Transformed Targeting

[05:01–08:55]

• Then vs. Now: Early work involved overnight runs on limited hardware; now, huge datasets are processed in milliseconds.
• Increased Sophistication: The amount and complexity of data injected into models have exponentially improved alongside compute power.
• Audience Segments: Custom, highly specific audience segments are feasible—moving from broad categories (like “automotive enthusiast”) to extremely granular combinations based on behaviors and interests.

Notable Quote:
"You’re scoring things in binary fashion to know who to target, who not to target. It would run all night versus today where... you’d be able to get things back immediately where you can make determinations very much more for a real time environment."
– David Danziger [05:36]

3. The State of Audience Segment Selection

[08:55–14:43]

• More Granular, Yet Humans Still Select: Modern models allow incredibly detailed, dynamic segments (e.g., 21,000 segments at Distillery, updated daily), but marketers are still prone to errors in manual selection.
• Automation & The Human Step: Despite smarter tools, the act of picking the “right” audience is still often manual and error-prone.

Notable Quote:
"It always felt a little bit archaic in a way that with all this power... the final step, and probably the most important step is prone to human error."
– AdTechGod [11:20]

[David’s Response, 12:04]:
"There’s ways that platforms I think can do this a lot better... With driving more algorithmically selected data and enabling that as an option for different customers... But there’s room to make it much, much easier for automated intelligent decisioning."

4. Impact of AI on Buyer & Seller Experience

[14:43–19:54]

• Agentic AI Gains Traction: The rise of chat-driven, LLM-based interfaces helps buyers and marketers iterate quickly, making campaign planning and segment selection more conversational and efficient.
• From Mundane to Meaningful: AI is freeing time for higher-value tasks, especially in client care and deep client understanding—not just as a cost-cutting tool, but as a value driver.

Notable Quotes:
"Agentic AI... doesn’t replace the human aspects of it but it certainly makes it way more efficient so someone can get on to doing the higher value activities that would have been taken up with emails back and forth..."
– David Danziger [15:12]

"One of the other feels like opportunities that gets lost... is the time freed up for that client service, client care. Because... they don’t replace the need for human interaction at all. If done properly, they complement it."
– David Danziger [18:22]

5. The Ongoing Value of Human Relationships

[19:54–25:38]

• Human Connection Is Irreplaceable: Both agree that while automation makes operational aspects faster, the emotional and relational side of account management and client care cannot be replaced by machines—especially when things go wrong.
• Industry Camaraderie: The ad tech space fosters relationships—even rivals develop camaraderie, partly because career paths are nonlinear and today’s competitors may be tomorrow’s partners.

Notable Quotes:
"I would hate to chat with a bot every day, especially if I’m having issues... I already get irritated with Zendesk tickets. You tell me now that I'm chatting with a machine, when I’m upset and frustrated... I would go nuts."
– AdTechGod [19:54]

"...you never know when an individual within those companies moves from point A to point B. And you want to be able to work more closely with them or... just because it makes it a more fun way to do business..."
– David Danziger [24:32]

6. Why Stay in Ad Tech?

[25:38–27:39]

• Continuous Learning & Impact: David stays because of the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the industry, the depth of relationships, and the feeling of doing meaningful work—both intellectually and in supporting content and information for the broader public.

Notable Quote:
"There’s never a day where I wake up and think, well I’ve learned all there is to learn here. There’s nothing more to do. See that’s—I just don’t see that happening anytime soon or ever."
– David Danziger [27:17]

Timestamps of Notable Segments

• [02:07] David’s rapid-fire career journey through ad tech
• [05:36] Transformation from overnight ML workloads to near-instant compute
• [09:24] The explosion in number and specificity of audience segments
• [12:04] Challenges in audience selection, and where AI can take over
• [15:12] Agentic AI and LLMs enabling new workflows
• [18:22] AI’s role in freeing up time for human relationships
• [22:18] The enduring importance of human client service
• [24:32] On camaraderie and personal relationships in ad tech
• [27:17] Why David remains passionate about ad tech

Memorable Quotes

• “You’re scoring things in binary fashion... It would run all night versus today where... you’d be able to get things back immediately.”
  – David Danziger [05:36]

• “It always felt a little bit archaic in a way that... the final step, and probably the most important step is prone to human error.”
  – AdTechGod [11:20]

• “Agentic AI... doesn’t replace the human aspects... but it certainly makes it way more efficient.”
  – David Danziger [15:12]

• “There’s never a day where I wake up and think, well I’ve learned all there is to learn here. There’s nothing more to do.”
  – David Danziger [27:17]

Final Thoughts

David and AdTechGod present a nuanced, pragmatic take on ad tech’s trajectory—one in which AI and machine learning drive exponential improvements, but the need for human relationships, creativity, and nuance remains firmly at the core. Automation handles the complexity; people handle the connection.

For listeners seeking a blueprint for both leveraging technology and maintaining authentic partnerships in advertising, this episode delivers frank, highly relevant insights—tempered with a dash of humor and humility.