Home AdExchanger Talks Podcast: Nate Woodman Says Brands Will Eventually Own Proprietary Machine-Learning Models

Podcast: Nate Woodman Says Brands Will Eventually Own Proprietary Machine-Learning Models

SHARE:

Welcome to episode No. 8 of AdExchanger Talks, a podcast focused on data-driven marketing. Subscribe here.

According to Nate Woodman, GM of demand solutions at IPONWEB, the deployment of brand data in the media-buying arena is at an early stage. His pet thesis: Now that CRM activation in programmatic is common, the next challenge will be the development of proprietary machine-learning models that are owned and controlled by brands.

“Most CRM data is activated through a DSP,” Woodman says in this latest episode of AdExchanger Talks. “That supports a segmentation strategy, but to drive real performance out of a system requires a machine-learning model, which can hit performance targets in a vastly superior way to segment-based buying.”

A tiny club of big marketers, such as Netflix, have initiatives in place today around proprietary algorithmic IP. And other performance-focused verticals like banks may be positioned to do so. But it’s a steep climb.

“The challenge to the industry, and it’s a daunting one, is to find a way to spread proprietary algorithms across programmatic platforms,” Woodman said. “Most brands aren’t even close to realizing this vision, but some are making overtures in the direction of proprietary machine-learning models.”

He added, “I don’t know that it’s going to go there, but it’s a vision.”

Also in this episode: Woodman talks about IPONWEB’s unique place in ad tech history, its current strategy and the evolution of the agency trading desk model.

Must Read

Josh Reed, Zoom's VP of brand and content, speaking at AdExchanger's Programmatic IO event in New York City (September 28, 2006)

Zoom’s Marketing Challenge Is That It’s Too Well Known For Its Own Good

Zoom has 99% unaided brand awareness, which sounds great on paper. But there’s a catch: Most people still think it’s just a video-call app.

Why Agencies Think They Shouldn’t Own Agentic AI Tools Or The Data Used To Build Them

Agencies are differentiating their tech stacks by building custom agentic AI tools for their clients. And they’re rethinking owning those AI tools – particularly since licensing them creates new revenue streams.

Programmatic IO: Insurers Are Building Ad Tech’s AI Accountability Layer

Agencies and marketers discussed the future of AI governance at AdExchanger’s Programmatic IO NYC this week. The main takeaway? Expect insurers to play an increasingly important role in managing AI compliance.

Privacy! Commerce! Connected TV! Read all about it. Subscribe to AdExchanger Newsletters

Apple’s Latest Operating System Blocks The Trade Desk From Serving Ads On Safari

The Trade Desk is unable to serve ads to the Safari browser for Apple device owners that have downloaded iOS 27. Apple has been investigating the issue since last week.

Who Will Stand Up For The Open Web?

The open web is done, stick a fork in it. Banner blindness is near universal, search traffic has run dry and publishers are struggling for oxygen. But what if that’s … not true?

A comic showing lab techs as stand-ins for legislators experimenting with provisions for US state privacy laws, including restrictions on collecting sensitive data.

What Publishers Don't Know About New Jersey’s Data Broker Law Could Cost Them

Attention, publishers: Although you might not think of yourself as a data broker, in the great state of New Jersey, that’s not really your call anymore.