In this episode, Tom Limongello and Todd Sawicki welcome Scott Messer—not just as a guest, but as a new co-host—ushering in a fresh focus on publisher expertise for The Middlemen Podcast. The conversation traces the seismic shifts in online publishing, from the rise of programmatic and content distribution challenges to the explosion of AI-generated content and its impact on publisher traffic. Scott unpacks the evolving landscape of media quality, explaining how new signals, transparency tools, and standardized metrics are helping both publishers and retail media networks disinfect offsite media and restore trust for buyers. The episode explores the intersection of adtech and retail media, the importance of yield optimization, and why publishers’ skills are increasingly vital for retail networks. Scott also previews his role as host of AdMonsters’ Sell-Side Summit in Nashville and shares actionable insights for publishers and retailers looking to thrive in the next era of digital media.

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Connect with Scott Messer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smesser/

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Scott will be the host of AdMonsters' Sell-Side Summit in Nashville starting August 17th https://www.admonsters.com/events/202... and don't miss his post on the seven signals of media quality: https://www.admonsters.com/redefining...

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‍Here's a discount code to register for the event! https://accessintel.swoogo.com/nashvi...

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Chapters:

‍00:25 Introduction and Return from Break

‍03:54 The State of Online Publishing and Major Industry Shifts

‍07:59 The Rise of Curation and Retail Media

‍09:52 Media Quality in Retail Media Networks

‍18:53 New Signals and Transparency in Digital Advertising

‍25:00 The Importance of Standardized Metrics

‍29:00 AdMonsters Sell Side Summit Preview

‍32:55 Future of Publisher and Retail Media Integration

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