Scotch and Watch launched its global tour with a live edition before dozens of high-powered media execs in a New York speakeasy, over more than a few cheeky bourbons.
My guest was a hero of mine, Stephanie Layser, the former head of programmatic ads at News Corp, who was one of the most important witnesses at Google’s ad tech trial.
She didn’t hold back, exhorting senior execs from Paramount, News Corp, Reuters, AFP, Amazon, and The Washington Post, that the world is ready for a better web.
And with her permission - and that of our sponsor Wizeline - I’m publishing it here today.
We spoke about the Google break-up, publishers taking control of Chrome, how the ad market can be returned to quality and competition, and more.
And together, we worked to permission the news industry to be outraged, angry, motivated, and ready to take back what’s been taken from them.
Unscripted. Vehement. Opinionated. This is Scotch and Watch live. Or as one attendee called it: Fight Club for Journalism.
Stephanie and I discuss:
What it was like to be the only female witness invited to testify.
Why she was so motivated to expose Google’s sub-standard tech.
Her pivotal evidence about being held hostage that led to the conviction.
Google’s snide tactics to gaslight her and dismiss her as emotional.
New money-making strategies that avoid the mistakes of the past.
Why publishing is critical for a trusted future for the open web and AI.
How the news industry must adapt to own and control its user data.
Her mission to remake advertising that funds journalism and a vibrant web.
Why AI will shake up advertising and create new publisher opportunities.
Her vision for AI agents that will take over handling direct ad sales.
How emerging tech will deliver new content experiences for readers.
Why publishers must accept new tech is coming and make better decisions.
Why the world is ready for a post-Google future and how it can be delivered, and
Why now is the moment for publishers to take control of Chrome…
My heartfelt thanks to Stephanie, the team at Wizeline, and all the guests who came and offered their opinions. Let’s do it again soon. We have lots of work ahead…
Scotch and Watch will be back on stage at the FIPP World Congress in Madrid in October where I’ll be joined by my co-host, former Bauer CEO and Times MD
.And if you’d like to host an episode of Scotch and Watch, you can, anywhere in the world. Here’s what to do 👇
This is the latest episode from the fast-growing Future Media podcast stable. You can tune in here or on Spotify, Apple, Art19, or wherever you get your pods.
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