Ep. 67 The Power of Networking in AdTech with Kathy Argyriou from Freewheel

Summary

AdTechGod Pod: Episode 67 Summary

Title: The Power of Networking in AdTech with Kathy Argyriou from Freewheel
Host: AdTechGod
Guest: Kathy Argyriou, Head of Publisher Sales at Freewheel
Release Date: February 25, 2025

---

1. Introduction to Kathy Argyriou

The episode kicks off with AdTechGod introducing Kathy Argyriou, the Head of Publisher Sales at Freewheel, a Comcast company. Kathy has an extensive background in digital sales spanning nearly two decades, with pivotal roles at Pubmatic and Veltimedia before her current position at Freewheel.

---

2. Kathy’s Journey into AdTech

Kathy delves into her personal and professional journey, highlighting her Greek-American heritage and early life in Queens, New York. She shares her academic background, earning a master's degree in business and media studies from Fordham University. Kathy recounts her diverse internships, including roles at a PR firm, a nonprofit women's rights group, and as a producer's assistant for a Travel Channel series.

At [02:37], Kathy explains her initial foray into the tech side of the industry in Athens, Greece, where she worked with proprietary CMS technology, despite having no prior knowledge of HTML. This experience quickly immersed her in coding, design, and engineering. Upon returning to the U.S., she transitioned to the advertising and media sector, working for a mobile video ad network where she navigated numerous meetings with media agencies and developed media plans targeting iOS platforms.

A pivotal moment in her career occurred at Pubmatic, where Kathy was encouraged by a mentor—whom she whimsically met while reapplying lipstick at a Women in Wireless event—to help build a mobile and video programmatic business. Despite initially not understanding industry acronyms like RTB, she thrived by continuously learning and expanding her expertise, ultimately leading her to her current role at Freewheel.

Notable Quote:

“One of them I met literally in the bathroom while reapplying my lipstick at a Women in Wireless event, which is now known as she runs it.”
— Kathy Argyriou [02:37]

---

3. The Crucial Role of Networking and Relationships

The conversation shifts to the significance of networking, relationships, and mentorship in Kathy's career.

At [06:21], Kathy emphasizes that networking is "key" and a "common theme" in her professional life. She defines networking broadly, encompassing staying in touch with old colleagues, clients, attending conferences, and engaging in social events like happy hours. Kathy dedicates at least an hour a week to networking, believing it is critical regardless of how busy one is.

Notable Quotes:

“I am a huge, huge fan and advocate for constant networking.”
— Kathy Argyriou [06:21]

“You never know when that purpose will actually turn into something that is of value, you know, in a year from now, two years from now, five years from now.”
— Kathy Argyriou [08:12]

AdTechGod relates by sharing his approach to networking as making continuous "deposits" without expecting immediate "withdrawals," hoping to benefit from these relationships in times of need.

Kathy further discusses a "silent career setback for women" involving a decline in networking during their 30s and 40s due to personal and family commitments. She stresses that maintaining a robust network is essential for long-term career resilience.

Notable Quote:

“It's those deposits that you're talking about. And the rewards of building a strong network are usually not realized immediately, but under a much longer timeframe.”
— Kathy Argyriou [08:47]

---

4. Challenges Faced by Women in AdTech

AdTechGod inquires about the specific challenges women encounter in the adtech industry and how familial responsibilities impact their professional lives.

At [11:30], Kathy candidly acknowledges the difficulties, describing it as a "constant battle" marked by fluctuating emotions and the struggle to balance career triumphs with motherhood. She illustrates the conflict with an example:

Notable Quote:

“There are days where I feel like I'm on top of the world when it comes to my career... Guess what? I was a really sucky mother that day.”
— Kathy Argyriou [12:13]

Kathy argues against the notion of achieving work-life balance, suggesting that it's more about navigating a "flip flop" between career and personal life. She credits a strong support system and empathetic leadership for helping her manage these challenges.

Notable Quotes:

“There are going to be days that you are really good at one or the other and will have to sacrifice something at all times.”
— Kathy Argyriou [14:22]

“Having supportive leaders or an executive team at a company that understands those challenges and that constant roller coaster is so critical.”
— Kathy Argyriou [14:22]

AdTechGod shares his perspective as the main breadwinner, highlighting the differing familial dynamics and the importance of reducing travel to balance work and family life.

---

5. Market Trends: The Rise of Connected TV (CTV)

The discussion transitions to current trends in the adtech market, particularly the growth of Connected TV (CTV).

At [17:07], Kathy articulates that CTV is no longer an emerging platform but has become a dominant channel for content consumption. She highlights the transformative impact of CTV on the advertising ecosystem by combining the broad reach of traditional TV with the precision and data-driven capabilities of digital advertising.

Notable Quotes:

“CTV is at the forefront blending the reach of traditional television with the precision of digital and the addressability and data driven insights available through CTV.”
— Kathy Argyriou [17:07]

Kathy predicts a continued increase in CTV programmatic transactions, driven by advancements in AI and generative AI technologies that lower barriers to entry for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). She explains how initiatives like Universal Ads, powered by Freewheel technology, are simplifying the ad buying process for local advertisers, making it more akin to purchasing ads on social media platforms.

Notable Quotes:

“Universal Ads is a perfect example... it's going to be incredibly easy and simplistic and it's going to mimic the way that they're buying from social media platforms today.”
— Kathy Argyriou [18:43]

AdTechGod echoes the sentiment, noting how AI has revolutionized the ease of creating and launching advertising campaigns, particularly in video formats.

---

6. Personal Insights and Consumer Behavior Shifts

Kathy shares personal anecdotes illustrating the rapid evolution of consumer behavior, especially in media consumption.

At [21:04], AdTechGod and Kathy reminisce about past media consumption habits, contrasting them with today's instant gratification and on-demand streaming services. Kathy humorously describes her children's unfamiliarity with traditional radio controls, underscoring the generational shifts in media interaction.

Notable Quotes:

“If I didn't leave five minutes early, I would miss the recap. And if I didn't see the recap, it was a whole week.”
— Kathy Argyriou [24:02]

“It's just, you know, my gosh, how times have changed.”
— Kathy Argyriou [24:44]

These insights highlight the importance of adaptability in adtech, as consumer preferences and behaviors continue to evolve rapidly.

---

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with reflections on the dynamic nature of the adtech industry and the personal fulfillment Kathy finds in her work. She expresses enthusiasm for the continuous learning and innovation that keep her engaged, likening her role to enjoying a hobby rather than a job.

Notable Quote:

“At the end of the day, if you enjoy, in my case right now, content and consuming content, streaming, it feels like it's not really even a job. It's just a lot of fun.”
— Kathy Argyriou [21:46]

AdTechGod thanks Kathy for her candid and insightful contributions, emphasizing the value of understanding the human elements behind adtech advancements.

---

Key Takeaways

• Networking is Essential: Building and maintaining relationships is crucial for long-term career success in adtech.
• Women Face Unique Challenges: Balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities remains a significant hurdle.
• CTV is Transformative: Connected TV is reshaping the advertising landscape by merging traditional reach with digital precision.
• AI Lowers Barriers: Advancements in AI are democratizing access to adtech tools, enabling SMBs to effectively engage in programmatic advertising.
• Adaptability is Key: Rapid changes in consumer behavior necessitate continuous learning and flexibility within the adtech industry.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kathy Argyriou [02:37]: “One of them I met literally in the bathroom while reapplying my lipstick at a Women in Wireless event, which is now known as she runs it.”
• Kathy Argyriou [06:21]: “I am a huge, huge fan and advocate for constant networking.”
• Kathy Argyriou [08:12]: “You never know when that purpose will actually turn into something that is of value, you know, in a year from now, two years from now, five years from now.”
• Kathy Argyriou [11:30]: “It is hard. Whoever says it's not is lying.”
• Kathy Argyriou [12:13]: “There are days where I feel like I'm on top of the world when it comes to my career... Guess what? I was a really sucky mother that day.”
• Kathy Argyriou [17:07]: “CTV is at the forefront blending the reach of traditional television with the precision of digital and the addressability and data driven insights available through CTV.”
• Kathy Argyriou [18:43]: “Universal Ads is a perfect example... it's going to be incredibly easy and simplistic and it's going to mimic the way that they're buying from social media platforms today.”
• Kathy Argyriou [21:46]: “At the end of the day, if you enjoy, in my case right now, content and consuming content, streaming, it feels like it's not really even a job. It's just a lot of fun.”
• Kathy Argyriou [24:02]: “If I didn't leave five minutes early, I would miss the recap. And if I didn't see the recap, it was a whole week.”

---

This episode of the AdTechGod Pod offers a comprehensive exploration of the pivotal role networking plays in building a successful career in adtech, the specific challenges women face in the industry, and the transformative trends shaping the future of advertising technology. Kathy Argyriou's insights provide valuable lessons for both seasoned professionals and newcomers aiming to thrive in this dynamic field.

Transcript

[Ad Tech God]

A word from our sponsors Advertisers Are you ready to become a certified converged linear, CTV and Digital Video Media Master? Introducing Nexen U, the online educational program dedicated to helping you better plan, buy, optimize and measure your converged campaigns. Taught by industry leaders from both the buy and sell side, Nexon U experts tackle the challenging topics like data analysis, identity, creative optimization and more. So whether you're looking to fine tune your existing skill set or dive deep into new concepts, Nexen U is the place to be. Enroll [e-mail] again that's u n e xxen.com welcome to the adtech Godpod, your window into the world of advertising technology and the people behind it. I'm your host, Ad Tech God. Welcome to the AdTech God Pod, your go to for conversations with people in the publisher sales leadership. Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Kathy Argiero, Head of Publisher Sales at Freewill. Kathy has been with Free Will for over eight and a half years and previously held roles at Pubmatic, Veltimedia, and more. Honestly, if you don't like Kathy, I'd have to wonder why, Because I've only heard wonderful things about her. I'm excited to sit down with her today and talk about the future of ctv, the challenges and triumphs of publisher sales, and much, much more. Kathy, welcome to the ADTech Godpod.

[Kathy Argiero]

Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for joining. I'm literally blushing. Thank you so much for what? A warm intro.

[Ad Tech God]

Blush away. Kathy, I'm so happy you're here. I've heard nothing but wonderful things, so I'm really happy that.

[Kathy Argiero]

Starstruck. Thank you.

[Ad Tech God]

You've worked in the space for a while. You've been at Freewill for going on eight and a half years. You were at Pubmatic for quite some time. Can you tell me a little bit about how you got into the industry and what brought you to this point today?

[Kathy Argiero]

Absolutely, yes. As you mentioned, currently head of publisher sales at Freewheel, a Comcast company. Fantastic company at the forefront of streaming. I specifically lead efforts currently for new business that specifically touches marketplace tools and anything that drives programmatic video monetization. But I will say that I've actually been in digital sales for close to 20 years. No, it's aging me. I will also say that before I do get into some previous roles and my career path, I would love to share, if you're open to it, a little bit more about my overall story.

[Ad Tech God]

Yes, I would love that.

[Kathy Argiero]

Kathy.

[Ad Tech God]

I'M all about that.

[Kathy Argiero]

So, yes, and I know I've spoken to a few folks about this publicly, so, you know, maybe if anyone is listening, they're probably like, oh, yeah, I know that. But I was born and raised to Greek immigrant parents in Queens, New York, and I actually spent a really good amount of my life between the United States and Greece. My parents spoke to my older sister and I in our native tongue, Greek. So English is technically my second language. I ended up going to college in the States. I have a master's degree from Fordham University here in New York, so go Rams. And I got my master's in business and media studies. And during college and grad school, I had a number of different internships, ranging from working at a PR firm, working for a nonprofit women's rights group called the Global Peace Initiative for Women, and I even worked as a producer's assistant in a TV series called Local Flavor with actress Joan Cusack for Discovery's Travel Channel. And what I ended up doing is moving back overseas. So technically, my first job that exposed me to the tech side of the industry was in Athens, where I worked for a company that owned their own proprietary cms, which is a content management system that was used to build the largest portals, websites and mobile applications in the country. So at the time, you better believe I had no idea what HTML code even was. But as you can imagine, I very quickly got acquainted to the world of coding and design and engineering. I stayed there for a number of years in my adult life, and my first job that exposed me to the advertising and media side of the business was back in New York where I worked for a mobile video ad network. And it was the time that I had to crack hundreds, literally hundreds of meetings with media agencies, wining and dining and entertaining agency directors seeking RFPs and just creating media plans that would land me iOS. Fast forward. I ended up meeting a number of incredible people along the way, was doing a ton of networking, and was very fortunate to establish relationships with folks that I consider mentors to this day. One of them I met literally in the bathroom while reapplying my lipstick at a Women in Wireless event, which is now known as she runs it. And we instantly connected, convinced me to join her in building a mobile and video programmatic business at Pubmatic and the rest is history. I at the time didn't even know what the acronym RTB stood for. So it was very nerve wracking, but constantly learning and expanded my knowledge every day. Spent a number of years at Pubmatic was really focused Initially on onboarding, mobile and video DSPs to demand side platforms and buyers, and eventually shifted to the pub side. Focused on building relationships with folks that own the content. And here I am almost nine years later at Free Will Comcast.

[Ad Tech God]

You know, Kathy, you mentioned a couple things. One is I, I know she runs it. I don't know anyone there. So if, if you could make an intro, it'd be great because one of the big things I focus on for the pod, I would love an introduction and just get stronger, you know, relationships with them. And then you mentioned three words. It's funny because I write notes on these podcasts so that I know what to say. But you mentioned the words networking, relationships, mentor quite a few times. How important do you think those are in getting you to where you are today and being this successful where you are?

[Kathy Argiero]

I think they are key. Absolutely. And I love that you picked up on it because it really is, I think, a common theme and something that I live by. I am a huge, huge fan and advocate for constant networking. And I think for many folks it sounds intimidating and they think of networking as like a very specific type of interaction where networking could mean a lot of different things. It could mean staying in touch with an old colleague. It could mean staying in touch with a client. It could mean going to a conference and not knowing anybody. It could mean going to a happy hour. It has so many different forms. And I truly believe that focusing and ensuring that you are constantly networking. I like to spend at least an hour a week. To be completely honest, no matter how busy life gets, I think it's critical to try to make an effort to stay in touch with mentors, with acquaintances, with friends, with colleagues, clients, et cetera, to continue expanding those relationships.

[Ad Tech God]

You know, the other day I posted something and I realized that probably in the last year I've had conversations with at least a thousand people. There are weeks where I spent six, seven hours just talking to people, not on the podcast, just generally chatting with someone about anything and just building relationships. Because I realized that the knowledge and the information that we, we get every day changes so fast, but the people remain the same. Like a lot of the people that I'm talking to today are going to be future leaders. And a lot of the leaders that I talk to today will, will retire in 10 years. But it's so important to build up that network and those relationships with people just for, for everyone's benefit, really. Everybody can benefit from it.

[Kathy Argiero]

Completely agree. And to your point, competitors will become colleagues, colleagues will become clients, sometimes clients will become competitors and the cycle is just continues to go round and round. And I think to your point, it is so critical to always just maintain conversations and just continuing talking to folks across the board. Even if you don't think that they serve a quote unquote purpose to you, you never know when that quote unquote purpose will actually turn into something that is of value, you know, in a year from now, two years from now, five years from now.

[Ad Tech God]

What's that saying? I, I don't know it exactly, but it's keep making deposits and don't expect the withdrawal. So I keep making deposits.

[Kathy Argiero]

Yeah.

[Ad Tech God]

And then I haven't really done any withdrawals yet, like, but I know that one day, I don't know when it's going to be or maybe never, that one day I'm going to go, oh man, I'm down on my luck. I need a job or I really want to reach out to people. I really need help for this or for that. And hopefully, you know, if I can get back 1% of the deposits I've made, then I'll be okay.

[Kathy Argiero]

Absolutely.

[Ad Tech God]

And I think that's how I look at it.

[Kathy Argiero]

Absolutely. I'd also like to say that when it comes to networking, I am of the opinion that a silent career setback for women in particular that they face in their 30s and 40s is the unintentional drop off in networking. I feel that the 20s, broadly speaking, okay, like I let it be noted that I'm absolutely generalizing here, please don't come at me. But broadly speaking, the 20s is a decade dedicated to proving that you could do the job then. The 30s, by comparison, is a time to start building out your network. Your 30s and early 40s for women also often coincides with personal relationships and a new focus on family and networking is usually the victim of that time crunch. So the issue is that the impact of that networking drop isn't often immediately apparent. I firmly believe that networking, to your point, is a long term gain. It's those deposits that you're talking about. And the rewards of building a strong network are usually not realized immediately, but under a much longer timeframe and unexpectedly, like you said, if there's sudden layoffs, for instance, and you find yourself in market for a job and you're like, oh man, who's my circle of trust? What industry friends can I tap into? So you're absolutely right. I think that we need to keep an eye on this. And again, it's chipping away because you never know when a conversation or when a connection or something will come to fruition or will just be this light bulb moment or a connection point for that will ultimately pivot your career or the trajectory of a project or anything in the in the future.

[Ad Tech God]

So Kathy, I want to touch up on this because I think it's important and I don't think anyone's brought it up yet. And you're episode 60 something. How challenging is it for a woman in this space? I see and read a lot of posts. I'm not a female in the industry, so I haven't gone through any of those challenges. I do have females in my life, right. That I love and I care about. But how challenging is it for a woman in the space? And how is that family piece so different for women than it is for men?

[Kathy Argiero]

Oof. If I could just say to summarize it, it is hard. Whoever says it's not is lying. It is a constant battle. There is a constant roller coaster of emotions and feelings and guilt and triumph and excitement and then disappointment. And so I've heard a lot of people talk about, you know, that balance and I've, I've done a lot of thinking about this work life balance and this motherhood balance. And it really is not a balance. It really is not in my opinion. The days that I feel like I'm on top of the world when it comes to my career. I may have done an amazing presentation, closed the biggest contract, had the most remarkable QBR and then an amazing dinner with a client and I got home at midnight. Guess what? I was a really sucky mother that day. My kids did not see me. I did not review their homework. I don't know what happened in school. And you better believe that when I ask them the next day, they're not open to sharing that feedback. You need to get your children, you know, right at dismissal, right when they're feeling interested in opening up to share information. So there, there are days where I need to just come to terms with the fact that I'm going to have really stellar days at work. And then there are going to be days that I'm a stellar mother because I needed to care for my child that was maybe sick all night and maybe I came to work not really, you know, on top of my game. So I do believe that this balance is not really a reality. You need to come to terms with the fact that it's going to flip flop. There's going to be days that you are really good at one or the other will have to sacrifice something at all times and to the point earlier about networking, because it is so important to me. My family understands that this is something that drives me and it is my love language as well. So I think that I have created a life that allows me and thankfully I have a really fantastic support system. And it takes a village. And that village understands how important it is for me to make sure that I am attending conferences, traveling, going to dinners, entertaining, et cetera. But again, it's really tough, especially when the kids are younger, but then, you know, older kids, bigger problems. So it's definitely challenging. Having supportive leaders or an executive team at a company that understands those challenges and that constant roller coaster is so critical. Having someone that has that empathy to understand that sometimes it's about working smart and not really like just being the last one out of the office work looking as if you're working the hardest. It's about making sure that you are prioritizing your time accordingly for all of the demands of life.

[Ad Tech God]

I love that. I don't think anybody has said that and I honestly thank you for opening up and saying that because I hear it a lot, I see the posts a lot and I don't know what it's like, but I know, as can I say, main breadwinner in my household? Like, I'm the main breadwinner in this household. So, like, for me, there's senses of guilt when I leave, but it's. I'm not the mother. Right. Like, my wife is there with the kids, so I'm never really concerned about it. I am finding that as my kids are growing up, I'm reducing my travel and finding ways to reduce my travel. And if I don't have to be there for four days, I'm not there for four days. And if I have to fly at 10 o'clock at night in order to be there in the morning to wake the kids up, I'll do it. But hearing your perspective as a woman, as a leader in the space and those challenges, I think was. Is really important. So thank you for sharing it.

[Kathy Argiero]

Absolutely. It's an important message to make sure people remember for sure.

[Ad Tech God]

And then you add to it too. You said that you were a Greek American. Most things start in Greece. Was ad tech invented in Greece? Just had to ask.

[Kathy Argiero]

Yeah, you know, it's funny you say that. I mean, the proper Greek in me would say, of course it was. But truth be told, I gained such a tremendous amount of experience and was exposed to such innovation those years that I worked in Athens at this small Greek company that had their own proprietary technology. And I remember when moving back to the US I remember thinking, wow, we were pretty innovative and pretty ahead of the curve. And there was this component, I will say, of folks striving to be the best because they felt that they were this small country and it felt like they needed to prove themselves more than just saying, oh yeah, I'm from the us, I work in, you know, ad tech in New York. And so I will say that they tended to attract, you know, really top talent, really passionate, driven individuals that were always looking to innovate and do some really cool things. So I will say that while I can't for, you know, with certainty say that it was invented in Greece, I will say that some incredible things have come from the ad tech space in Athens for sure.

[Ad Tech God]

We're just going to say that Brian O. Kelly's real name is Brian Kellyopoulos and we're just going to run with it.

[Kathy Argiero]

I love it.

[Ad Tech God]

We're going to run with it. Kathy, you've shared some of your challenges and some of your rise to success. If we can say that, to reach where you're at today as a strong woman in the space, what are some trends that you're seeing in the market as it relates to Freewheel or just general market trends that you see and hear about that you think is really positive?

[Kathy Argiero]

I'd start off by saying that I think it's really important to recognize how connected television, CTV, in our new world of streaming specifically has transformed the advertising ecosystem. Today we can say that CTV is no longer the up and coming platform. It really is everywhere. For many consumers, CTV is the primary channel in which they're consuming content. So we're seeing a really seismic shift in how consumers interact with media. And CTV is at the forefront blending the reach of traditional television with the precision of digital and the addressability and data driven insights available through CTV are totally reshaping how we think about audience engagement, measurement and all this in real time. So I will say prefacing everything with the again, big seismic change in ctv. I truly believe that one of the most exciting trends that we will continue seeing a lot more of in 2025 and beyond is increased CTV programmatic transactions.

[Ad Tech God]

So you mentioned that and you mentioned SMB. And in, I don't know, November of last year, I had mentioned that SMB's spending across connected television would be one of the biggest trends in 2025. I know that recently you announced your Greater Comcast company, announced Universal Ads. Is that some of the focus that you're working on now or are you in partnership with them since they're part of the, I guess part of the family? How does that work for Universal Ads and Free Will?

[Kathy Argiero]

I love that you're calling out Universal Ads. And yes, what I will say is, to our earlier point about the shift from traditional advertisers from linear television to ctv, we are seeing that and there are studies that have been published that I think there was. The recent one that I SAW was like 72% of advertisers indicated that they plan to increase programmatic spend, notably in ctv. And this is taking away from linear and it's also opening up a new growth driver for smaller companies and advertisers. And so with CTV's reach and skill, we are, and again, Universal Ads is a perfect example of that. We're excited to see the trend of more local advertisers leaning into CTV strategies and we do feel that this is absolutely a strong option for them to reach target audiences in a localized way. As you probably know, this has been vastly successful for social and search and so we are basically taking a page out of that playbook and we expect this to grow and expand into ctv. And so Universal Ads, to your point of its collaboration, it is a Comcast advertising initiative and it is built on Freewheel technology. It will basically allow advertisers of all sizes to buy premium video directly from some of the most prestigious media companies today at scale. And the key is that it's going to be incredibly easy and simplistic and it's going to mimic the way that they're buying from social media platforms today, which is something that they've been very used to and something that we have seen an explosion of. So absolutely good point.

[Ad Tech God]

Television historically was not easy to buy. The creative assets were challenging. The distribution was really held by a few in the space. But now with ctv, and I hate to say it because it comes up every podcast, but now with AI capabilities and gen AI capabilities, the barriers for entry for small and medium sized businesses has been reduced. Like it is a lot easier to advertise and buy utilizing AI and gen AI and all the pipes that you have connected to inventory. I would think that it's a matter of, you know, uploading your creative and picking where you want to target and launching it.

[Kathy Argiero]

You nailed it. Absolutely. Exactly. I mean, this would not be possible if it wasn't for the way that AI has been able to be, you know, a force to help with transforming, creation, execution, enhancements of, you know, advertising campaigns, especially within, you know, A video format? Absolutely. It goes hand in hand.

[Ad Tech God]

You've worked in the space for a long time. I think you said something like 20 years. I don't know how that's possible since you're 27.

[Kathy Argiero]

Yeah, they're right. What am I talking about?

[Ad Tech God]

What keeps you in the industry overall? Like, you worked at a company in Greece, you worked at Pubmatic and now Freewheel. What really keeps you hooked to working in the ad tech or advertising space?

[Kathy Argiero]

I have to say, it is constantly evolving. I learn something new every day and by being part of the ad tech space. I do love media in general. I even, you know, when I was in college, I knew that media studies was something I wanted to engage more in. But being able to combine the media side and the ad tech side makes me feel that I am in with all the trends in, with all of consumer behavior and how it's changing. And being a mother is also interesting to see how my habits, my consumer behaviors are so incredibly different from my children. And I feel that I'm going to constantly see how they are evolving and I'm going to be learning from them and vice versa. So it keeps me engaged because every day is interesting, every day is new. There's a lot of cool companies doing some really cool things. And at the end of the day, if you enjoy, in my case right now, content and consuming content, streaming, it feels like it's not really even a job. It's just a lot of fun.

[Ad Tech God]

Yeah, I'm with you. And you mentioned the consumer habits changing. I'm sure you remember this, but I remember waking up extra early on a Saturday or Sunday or what I would think was extra early, but I had challenges waking up Monday through Friday, but Saturday I was up bright and early to watch cartoons. We don't have those challenges anymore. You're not going to miss your show, basically, don't worry about it because we'll just open up whatever streaming channel you want to watch whatever you want, whenever you want it. It's quite incredible if you think about the change in one generation.

[Kathy Argiero]

I'll be driving my kids to school and I'll sometimes play like the actual radio instead of my Spotify or something. And there'll be a song on the radio and my kids will be like, ma, put it on again. Like, wait, rewind it. Like, put it. And I'm like, guys, I can't do that. It's on the radio. And they, they have no idea what, what I'm talking about. They're like, huh? What do you mean? What Ma, just get your phone, like, change it. What are you. What are you talking about? And I'm like, oh, boy.

[Ad Tech God]

If only they have their own playlists now they add their own playlists. Give me the phone. I'll just put the song I want. They have their dance playlist. They have their country playlist. I'm like, you have taken over my account.

[Kathy Argiero]

Oh, yeah.

[Ad Tech God]

But it's, It's. It's pretty incredible.

[Kathy Argiero]

I remember watching the series Lost. Like, I remember I needed to leave class early in order for me to make it on time. And if I didn't leave, like, five minutes early, I would miss the recap. And if I didn't see the recap, it was a whole week. How in the world would I remember everything? And so it's just, you know, my gosh, how times have changed. Now I just binge watch and one night, you know, in my living room with snacks instead of me just, you know, going 100 miles an hour on a bridge, like, trying to get home so that I could see, you know, the opening remarks of an episode of Lost, only to wait another week for the cliffhanger.

[Ad Tech God]

So it's changed. It's definitely instant gratification for consumption of content. The binging is real. I mean, I've gone through shows in such a short period of time, like, this is ridiculous. Now I have nothing to watch. What am I going to watch next? It's fun and I think the industry overall is heading towards the right direction. And I'm really happy that you joined me here today. Kathy, thank you. And thank you to Free Will for having you as my guest.

[Kathy Argiero]

Thank you for having me. This was so fun and I had such a great time speaking with you.

[Ad Tech God]

Awesome. Same here. Thank you.

[Kathy Argiero]

Bye.

[Ad Tech God]

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the AdTech Godpod, a podcast for the people about the people. Stay connected with me for more insights, trends and interviews in the realm of ad tech. Don't miss out on the latest updates. So follow me on X Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn. Don't forget ATG Slack community has insights, networking opportunities and jobs. Jobs. Keep the conversation going and stay at the forefront of adtech innovation.