Adtech Unfiltered

Brand Safety Isn't Enough (with Sara Maskivish)

Media quality has become one of advertising's biggest competitive advantages—but most brands are still measuring it the wrong way. In this episode of AdTech Unfiltered, Sara Maskivish, SVP of Market Enablement - Verification at Protected by Mediaocean, breaks down why the industry is moving beyond traditional brand safety and toward brand suitability. She explains how AI is reshaping verification, why made-for-advertising sites remain a growing challenge, how contextual signals are redefining media quality, and where advertisers continue to leave money on the table. This conversation offers a practical look at where verification is headed next.

Inside e.l.f.'s Approach to Culture & Community (with Laurie Lam)

Laurie Lam, Chief Brand Officer at e.l.f. Beauty, joins AdTech Unfiltered to unpack what it takes to build one of the world's most culturally relevant brands. From pioneering platforms before they're mainstream to forging unexpected partnerships and embracing community feedback in real time, Laurie shares how e.l.f. stays ahead. She also explores the evolving role of SEO in an AI-driven world, why bold experimentation beats playing it safe, and what marketers should do today to remain relevant as consumer behavior continues to shift.

How to Grow an Iconic Brand (with Ashley Travis)

What does growth marketing look like at one of the world's most iconic brands? In this episode, Ashley Travis, Head of Growth Marketing at Pizza Hut, shares the strategies shaping the QSR giant's future. Together with host Noor Naseer, Ashley covers loyalty, martech, CRM, digital experiences, and the challenge of competing in a crowded category. She also shares lessons from her past life at Starbucks, explains why nostalgia is a competitive advantage, and reveals the metrics her team focuses on to drive sustainable growth.

Understanding the Next Era of Media (with Sara Fischer)

Media is being rebuilt from the ground up. In this episode of Adtech Unfiltered, Axios media correspondent and CNN media analyst Sara Fischer joins Noor Naseer to unpack how AI, consolidation, creator-led businesses, and shifting consumer behavior are reshaping media. They discuss why audience attention is more fragmented than ever, what publishers are getting right (and wrong), how AI is changing the economics of journalism, and why trusted brands still matter. It's an inside look at the trends shaping the future of media, advertising, and the business models that will determine who thrives next.

The New Rules of Acquisition (with Frank-Lamont Wade)

On this episode of Adtech Unfiltered, host Noor Naseer sits down with Frank-Lamont Wade, Director of Performance Marketing at the University of Phoenix, to discuss what it takes to run a high-performing, accountable performance marketing operation. Frank shares insights on balancing lead quality with volume, navigating long customer acquisition timelines, refining measurement and attribution models, and building collaborative testing cultures across media channels. The conversation also explores the critical thinking skills modern performance marketers need to thrive in an increasingly complex advertising environment. Frank draws on years of experience in higher education, but the strategies and insights he shares apply across industries and verticals.