The ForeCast

Doug Zanger: Building the Global Home for Independent Agencies

In this episode, Morgan chats with Doug Zanger, founder and editor-in-chief of Indie Agency News, about the evolution, challenges, and opportunities for independent agencies in the current marketing landscape. He shares insights on agency scaling myths, differentiation strategies, and the future outlook for indies. The ForeCast is a podcast by Rain, hosted by Morgan Willis. In each episode, we speak with industry experts about advertising, media, and the latest marketing trends, and sometimes we have a bit of fun, too! We close out each episode with our guest’s forecast for the future of their area of expertise. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) The Power of Indie Agencies (1:26) Building a Home for Independent Agencies (6:39) Indie Agencies vs. Holdcos (10:16) Trends in Independent Agencies (17:26) Doug’s Forecast (22:36) Outro (27:05) Please follow our podcast and leave a review! Our website: https://www.rainagency.com/ Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainagencyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainAgencyInc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain_thegrowthagency/ X: https://x.com/rainforgrowth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainAgency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rain_thegrowthagency

Kyle Eckhart & Ryan Gilbert: How Agencies Are Navigating Fees and Transparency in Programmatic Advertising

In this episode, Morgan sits down with Rain’s COO, Kyle Eckhart, and VP of Digital Media, Ryan Gilbert, to unpack the recent controversy surrounding The Trade Desk and Publicis’s partnership. The conversation explores agency fee structures, transparency, and what’s next for media buying—touching on how agencies navigate fees, build direct publisher relationships, and adapt to evolving industry trends. The ForeCast is a podcast by Rain, hosted by Morgan Willis. In each episode, we speak with industry experts about advertising, media, and the latest marketing trends, and sometimes we have a bit of fun, too! We close out each episode with our guest’s forecast for the future of their area of expertise. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) Kyle Intro (0:53) Industry Reactions to The Trade Desk Memo (1:45) Understanding Fee Structures in AdTech (5:33) Kyle’s Forecast (11:37) Ryan Intro (14:25) Questions Around Fees (15:25) Ryan’s Forecast (22:28) Outro (24:50) Please follow our podcast and leave a review! Our website: https://www.rainagency.com/ Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainagencyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainAgencyInc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain_thegrowthagency/ X: https://x.com/rainforgrowth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainAgency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rain_thegrowthagency

Blair Neal-Fabian: How the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Deal Could Reshape Streaming and Advertising

In this episode, Morgan speaks with Blair Neal-Fabian, Rain’s Media Director, about the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount, industry implications, and future trends in streaming and linear media. The ForeCast is a podcast by Rain, hosted by Morgan Willis. In each episode, we speak with industry experts about advertising, media, and the latest marketing trends, and sometimes we have a bit of fun, too! We close out each episode with our guest’s forecast for the future of their area of expertise. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) Details of the Warner Bros Discovery Acquisition Deal (0:55) Netflix's Bidding War and Industry Competition (2:08) Potential Changes in Warner Bros' Movie Distribution (3:14) Implications for Advertisers and Streaming Pricing (3:52) Industry Consolidation Trends in Streaming (5:14) Why Paramount Paid $110 Billion for Warner Bros Discovery (6:41) Potential Changes in News Media with CNN and CBS (7:18) Blair’s Forecast (8:13) Outro (9:40) Please follow our podcast and leave a review! Our website: https://www.rainagency.com/ Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainagencyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainAgencyInc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain_thegrowthagency/ X: https://x.com/rainforgrowth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainAgency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rain_thegrowthagency

Jacob Simonich: The Impact of AI Advertising & the Opportunities and Challenges for Advertisers

In this episode, Morgan speaks with Jacob Simonich, Rain’s Associate Director of Paid Search, about the impact of advertising on ChatGPT and other AI platforms, including user experience, industry trends, and opportunities and challenges for advertisers. The ForeCast is a podcast by Rain, hosted by Morgan Willis. In each episode, we speak with industry experts about advertising, media, and the latest marketing trends, and sometimes we have a bit of fun, too! We close out each episode with our guest’s forecast for the future of their area of expertise. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) ChatGPT's ad rollout and user experience concerns (0:37) Pricing models and CPM concerns for ChatGPT ads (2:21) Media planning and advertising strategies on AI platforms (3:50) Industry-wide adoption of AI advertising and platform monetization (5:13) Jake’s Forecast (8:23) Please follow our podcast and leave a review! Our website: https://www.rainagency.com/ Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainagencyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainAgencyInc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain_thegrowthagency/ X: https://x.com/rainforgrowth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainAgency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rain_thegrowthagency

Shatesha Scales: Navigating TikTok's Acquisition & Brand Safety in a Changing Landscape

In this episode, Morgan speaks with Shatesha Scales, Rain’s Supervisor of Paid Social, about the recent acquisition of TikTok by U.S. firms and implications for users and advertisers. She highlights that while the app's core experience remains unchanged, there are concerns about brand safety and data privacy due to the new terms of service. The discussion emphasizes the importance of platform diversity for advertisers and the evolving landscape of social media, particularly in light of user behavior and data collection practices. The ForeCast is a podcast by Rain, hosted by Morgan Willis. In each episode, we speak with industry experts about advertising, media, and the latest marketing trends, and sometimes we have a bit of fun, too! We close out each episode with our guest’s forecast for the future of their area of expertise. Timestamps: Intro (0:00) TikTok's Acquisition and User Experience (0:23) Brand Safety and Advertising Strategies (6:32) Data Privacy Concerns and Terms of Service Changes (13:45) The Future of Social Media and Platform Diversity (20:38) Shatesha’s Forecast (26:29) Please follow our podcast and leave a review! Our website: https://www.rainagency.com/ Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainagencyinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainAgencyInc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rain_thegrowthagency/ X: https://x.com/rainforgrowth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RainAgency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rain_thegrowthagency