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The Big Story: An Ad Tech Thanksgiving

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Even with doom-and-gloom headlines, our AdExchanger community has much to be thankful for.

In a special Thanksgiving episode of The Big Story, we asked our readers and listeners, “What are you grateful for in ad tech?”

As it turns out, many see a world of regulation and cookie pressure from a glass half-full perspective. They sent thanks for TLAs – three-letter acronyms – that make their expertise in distilling complexity that much more valuable. And many gave thanks for the constant change that keeps their jobs fresh.

 

 

Some answers were self-serving, of course. LUMA Partners’ ad tech dealmaker Terry Kawaja gave thanks to “consolidation,” which puts his turkey on the table. Investor Eric Franchi is thankful for “entrepreneurs” – presumably investable ones. And the Q4 spike in ad spend also received high praise.

The AdExchanger editorial team is also thankful – for the fun of working with each other, and also for our readers and listeners who make covering the ad tech space so interesting.

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We also gave thanks to behavior we’d like to see more often.

More consolidation makes covering the space a bit simpler, reporter Alison Weissbrot said, so she’s grateful for 2019’s many acquisitions. The rise of social platforms TikTok and Snapchat excites executive editor Zach Rodgers for their potential to challenge incumbents.

Hearing people say “leverage” in editorial briefings makes senior editor Allison Schiff recoil, and she’s grateful for every briefing without it. And Sarah Sluis appreciates people who give clear, honest answers.

With that, the team on The Big Story says happy listening, and Happy Thanksgiving!

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