The Publisher's Playbook – Details, episodes & analysis

This is our second episode on the topic of Retail Media and I’m thrilled to be joined by Mike Feldman, SVP of Global Retail Media at VaynerMedia. Mike’s story is unique—he grew up as the son of a retail consultant, and spent his formative years walking the aisles of big box stores learning the nuts and bolts of how consumers shop. Now, with over a decade of experience, he’s at the forefront of retail media just as it seems to be swallowing up the entire ad market. Mike was in retail media way before it was cool.

In this episode, Mike shares what I think is a groundbreaking perspective: retail media isn’t just about sponsored listings and ads on shopping websites—Mike believes that we may have inadvertently discovered the world’s greatest testing ground for creative ideas. Imagine being able to experiment with ad concepts, messaging, visuals, even product features and benefits in real time, knowing immediately how it will translate into product sales, then using those insights to inform ad campaigns across every channel. It’s a fascinating look at how media, data, sales and creativity are all converging. So let’s get into the art and science of Retail Media.

In this episode of the Publishers Playbook, we welcome Ryan Hudson, co-founder of Honey and now founder of Pie.org. They discuss Ryan's journey from building and selling Honey to launching Pie.org, which aims to disrupt the advertising space with a consumer-aligned model. The conversation covers the motivations behind starting Pie, the unique features of their ad blocker, and the monetization strategies they plan to implement. Ryan shares his long-term vision for creating a more vibrant and open internet.

In this conversation, Jerrid Grimm and Keith Bryan navigate the world of retail media networks, exploring Keith's extensive background at Best Buy and the evolution of Best Buy Ads. They discuss the launch of Colosseum Strategy, the importance of content in retail media, and the partnerships between retailers and publishers. The episode also delves into advertising strategies, the future of retail media networks, and the broader landscape of commerce media, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation in this rapidly evolving space.

Welcome to another episode of The Publisher's Playbook—the podcast where we dive deep into the strategies and stories shaping the world of publishing. Today, I'm thrilled to have SEO expert Lily Ray with us. If you've been navigating the turbulent waters of Google's algorithm updates, this episode is for you.

Lily's been at the forefront of SEO for over 15 years, helping brands stay on top of their game in an ever-evolving landscape. In this episode, we break down the nuances of Google's recent helpful content update, the recovery strategies that actually work, and why SEO isn't just about numbers—it's about passion, creativity, and staying true to your brand's voice. Whether you're a seasoned publisher or just starting out, you're going to want to take notes on this one.

Follow Lily Ray on LinkedIn and on X @lilyraynyc

Joanie, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady, shares the story of how she and Heather started and evolved over the years. She discusses the changes in couponing and shopping behavior, from newspaper coupons to digital rebates and loyalty programs. Joanie also talks about the impact of the TV show 'Extreme Couponing' and the challenges and opportunities in the couponing industry. She believes that there is still a need for education and awareness about couponing as a strategy to save money, especially in the face of rising grocery prices. Joanie also discusses the business model of Crazy Coupon Lady, which includes direct partnerships with brands and affiliate networks.

Joanie's Deal of the Episode: Nike backpacks, sneakers and Dunks for back to school 

 

Reddit is having a moment. From meme stocks to search results, Reddit posts and comments have found their way well beyond the site and into the very fabric of the internet. Nick Andrews was there before it was cool and on today's show he shares the secrets to working with mods, building your karma and promoting brands on the incredibly popular front page of the internet.

Nick's favorite subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/

Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-andrews-a2b1054/

ReviTrage impact.com publisher ID: 58745

Jerrid Grimm chats with Michael McNerney, the founder and publisher of Martech Record, about the affiliate and performance industry. They discuss the challenges publishers face, such as Google algorithm updates and the introduction of Google AI overviews. The conversation covers topics such as the impact of Google's monopoly, the role of creators in content consumption, the convergence of performance marketing and branding, and the importance of storytelling in affiliate marketing.

 

Favorite Products

Jerrid - Hubspot

Mike - Moleskin

Want to know what this show is all about? Here it is, in under a minute.

Today I'm speaking with Colby Saenz from Lovevery. As a parent, I can immediately see the value of Lovevery playkits for keeping your kids not only entertained but helping them learn at the same time. And as a marketer myself I can see how activating creators, review sites and content publishers would be a great way to not only tell, but show how Love ervery has a positive impact on parents and their families every day. Colby and I dig into the company, products, business model and partnerships that are growing this incredible brand focused on helping kids ages 6 months to 5 years old learn through play.

Today I’m speaking with Ren Robinson, Ecommerce affiliate manager at Cycling Frog. It's clear that Cannabis has come a long way in the past decade. Beyond the regulatory changes we're also seeing companies like Cycling Frog take a deeper look at ingredients, production and packaging. Ren shares about the company, the products and what Cycling Frog cares about in a partnership.