AdTechGod Pod Episode 62 Summary: "Mergers, AI, and the Future of Video Advertising with Jenn Chen from Connatix"

Release Date: January 21, 2025

1. Introduction and Guest Background

In the 62nd episode of the AdTechGod Pod, host AdTech God welcomes Jenn Chen, Chief Revenue Officer at Kinetics. Jenn brings a wealth of experience from the edtech and adtech sectors, having held pivotal roles at AppNexus and Seismic before her current position. The episode delves into Jenn's career trajectory, the recent merger between Kinetics and JW Player, and the evolving landscape of video advertising.

Notable Quote:

AdTech God [01:53]: "I'm super excited to hear about it later on in the pod."

2. The Recent Merger: Kinetics and JW Player

Jenn discusses the significant merger between Kinetics and JW Player in October 2024, which resulted in the formation of JWP Kinetics—the largest independent video technology and monetization platform in the industry. She emphasizes that this merger was a long time coming and was considered an "industry’s worst kept secret."

Notable Quote:

Jenn Chen [01:59]: "We often joke that it's the industry's worst kept secret. So it’s nice to end the year being open about it, right?"

3. Jenn’s Career Path and Insights

Jenn recounts her unconventional entry into adtech, starting from a finance background at Lehman Brothers during the 2008 financial crisis. Her transition into a startup environment led her to marketing and advertising roles, ultimately steering her towards adtech giants like AppNexus and Seismic. Jenn likens her time at AppNexus to an undergraduate experience, Seismic to her MBA, and Kinetics as her first major executive role post-training.

Notable Quote:

Jenn Chen [03:01]: "I didn’t start out in tech or in ad tech. Actually, I started out in banking."

4. The Role of AI in AdTech and Content Discovery

The conversation shifts to the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on content discovery and adtech solutions. Jenn highlights both the opportunities and challenges AI presents. While AI-driven tools have enhanced content creation and curation within JWP Kinetics, they have also disrupted traditional online publishing by redirecting user traffic to platforms like ChatGPT, potentially diminishing page views and creativity.

Notable Quotes:

Jenn Chen [17:49]: "AI is coming in and automation of content and content creation is going to change the space."

AdTech God [19:46]: "Nobody fact checks ChatGPT. It could get pretty scary."

5. Challenges and Opportunities in the Evolving AdTech Landscape

Jenn identifies the phasing out of cookies as a major challenge for the industry. She discusses the complexities of transitioning to new targeting methods that rely on contextual and curated data. The lack of established performance data for these new methodologies presents hurdles in convincing clients to adopt them.

Notable Quotes:

Jenn Chen [15:57]: "How do we create new asset classes that are not just cookie-based inventory?"

Jenn Chen [16:23]: "We have had very little time to prove that any of this new methodology works."

6. Community and Culture in AdTech

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the strong sense of community within the adtech industry. Both Jenn and AdTech God express appreciation for the collaborative and supportive nature of their peers, which fosters innovation and professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

Jenn Chen [21:37]: "It's about the community and the people and the creativity."

AdTech God [23:24]: "It's really nice to hear the outreach I get when I announce a podcast guest... it's amazing."

7. Balancing Work and Personal Happiness

Addressing work-life balance, Jenn shares her strategies for maintaining happiness amidst the fast-paced and high-stress environment of adtech. She emphasizes the importance of laughter, supportive teams, and having a reliable community to navigate both highs and lows.

Notable Quotes:

Jenn Chen [24:28]: "Am I laughing at work? Are there opportunities to laugh?"

Jenn Chen [25:45]: "Can you still get excited about something and do you still feel like you can change that down?"

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with mutual expressions of gratitude. Jenn thanks the host and her team, while AdTech God encourages listeners to stay connected through various platforms for ongoing insights and networking opportunities within the adtech community.

Notable Quote:

AdTech God [25:58]: "Stay connected with me for more insights, trends and interviews in the realm of adtech."

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Mergers: The merger between Kinetics and JW Player signifies a strategic consolidation in the adtech industry, aiming to enhance video monetization and technology.

• AI's Dual Role: AI presents both opportunities for innovation in content creation and challenges in traditional content consumption and reliability.

• Post-Cookie World: The industry is navigating the transition away from cookie-based targeting, exploring new methodologies that emphasize contextual and curated data.

• Community Strength: The tight-knit adtech community fosters collaboration, support, and rapid innovation, distinguishing it from other industries.

• Work-Life Balance: Maintaining personal happiness through supportive teams and a positive work environment is crucial in the high-pressure adtech landscape.

This episode provides valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the adtech industry, the strategic moves shaping its future, and the personal experiences of a leading revenue executive navigating these changes.