Welcome to The Refresh, your weekly download of what actually matters in advertising. Brought to you by Marketecture Media and written by AdTechGod.
Every Thursday, we bring you the latest news, commentary, and memes that speak the truth about this industry. If it's happening in AdTech, media, or marketing and it’s interesting, it’ll be here.
Want faster updates and sharper takes on what’s happening in advertising, media, and AdTech? Follow me on LinkedIn for the latest news, insights, and commentary as it happens.
Infillion Acquires Catalina, One of the World’s Largest Sources of Deterministic Purchase Data (Infillion)
Dentsu and WPP Quietly Exited The Trade Desk's OpenPath Over Hidden Fees and Transparency (ADWEEK)
Future of TV Briefing: Netflix’s in-house ad platform launch has led some advertisers to double spend (Digiday)
Adform Becomes First-Ever DSP to Join ISBA’s Partner Programme, Championing Digital Sovereignty for British Advertisers (ExchangeWire)
Smarter Media for Mid-Market Brands with Marilois Snowman from Mediastruction
Marilois Snowman, Founder and CEO of Mediastruction, discusses her journey in the media industry, focusing on the unique needs of mid-market brands. She highlights the evolution of media spending, the importance of measurement, and the role of AI in optimizing marketing strategies.
How to Organize an Advertising Event with Marketecture Chief Strategy Officer Sam Khoury
Marketecture CSO Sam Khoury joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to break down why media companies and adtech firms host their own events, how to develop the right concept, set attendance and programming goals, land top speakers, and think through costs, sponsorship economics, and logistics.
Marketecture Live III is in less than 2 weeks!
At Marketecture Live on March 10-11, the stage reflects the full spectrum of influence shaping modern marketing and media. We’re welcoming the CMO of the NFL, an Olympic gold medalist, senior executives from holding companies and leading independent agencies, an NFL player, WNBA representation, an FTC commissioner, adtech innovators and executives, AI experts, and publisher CEOs. The conversations will span brand, policy, technology, performance, creativity, and the cultural forces driving it all.
And that’s only the speaker lineup.
The audience is every bit as accomplished. Don’t believe me? Here are some of our registered attendees:
And for my ad tech friends, you can use code FINAL30 at checkout for 30% off general admission.
Ventura Is Back: The Trade Desk Revives Its CTV Ambitions With New Ecosystem Push
The Trade Desk has expanded Ventura with the launch of the Ventura Ecosystem, bringing TV operating systems and streaming platforms together to improve transparency and monetization in connected TV.
V, which powers more than 50 million devices globally, and Nexxen are the first partners to join, integrating programmatic access to premium CTV inventory. Participants can tap into The Trade Desk’s tools including OpenPath, Unified ID 2.0, OpenAds, and OpenPass to drive stronger demand and better yield while maintaining control of their platforms.
I had assumed Ventura had quietly stalled out, but this seems to be renewed momentum and a more coordinated push too market. Even God can be wrong sometimes.
Jeremy Bloom on Marketecture’s Push to Redefine B2B Media
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of Marketecture Media, is building a B2B media and events company focused on credibility, access, and community. Formed alongside AdTechGod and Ari Paparo, Marketecture was created to bring a more human and opinionated voice to advertising and adtech.
Bloom’s strategy blends selective acquisitions, including Serial Marketers, AI Marketers Guild, and AdLand.tv, with internally built brands that reflect the company’s tone and values. Marketecture Live, now heading into its third event within a year, reflects that momentum, bringing together leaders across brands, agencies, tech, and policy. Across media, events, and Bloom’s separate venture OhHello.ai, the focus remains consistent: closing the gap between industry expertise and the people who need it most.
WPP’s $100M Whistleblower Fight Exposes Internal Media Trading Data
Richard Foster’s $100 million lawsuit against WPP is back in focus as new court filings reveal internal GroupM documents. Central to the case is a 36-page report Foster sent to CEO Brian Lesser in 2024 questioning rebate-driven media deals. The data shows that among GroupM’s largest U.S. clients, only a small share of eligible spend flowed through proprietary inventory arrangements, with most of that inventory going unused.
Foster alleges billions in rebates were retained instead of returned to advertisers. WPP denies the claims, arguing Foster attempted to secure a severance payout and that his report did not disclose illegal conduct. With prior scrutiny in China and ongoing restructuring, the case is drawing attention from advertisers, regulators, and shareholders alike.
Did Omnicom Just Announce More Layoffs? The Real Story Behind the 100-Jobs Filing
Omnicom has clarified that a recently published WARN notice outlining nearly 100 job cuts in New York relates to redundancies already carried out following its $13 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group in November. The filing, submitted in December but made public this week, initially appeared to signal additional layoffs beginning March 1. The company says the notice was a compliance requirement tied to actions taken on December 1, 2025.
The broader restructuring remains significant. In December, Omnicom announced 4,000 job cuts as part of a business reset that retired major agency brands including FCB, DDB, and MullenLowe. Combined with prior reductions at both IPG and Omnicom, total eliminated roles approach 10,000, about 8% of the combined workforce. CEO John Wren has since doubled cost-saving targets to $1.5 billion by 2028, with $1 billion expected from labor reductions.
Marketecture Live III - Consumers in Control
Where the Industry Gets Honest About What’s Next
Join us March 10–11 at The Glasshouse in NYC for a limited-seat event built for leaders looking for what’s next in advertising.
AdTech Companies use code FINAL30 for 30% off General Admissions
Brand and marketing leaders looking to stay ahead of consumer shifts and growth channels in 2026 can apply for a complimentary pass.
Agency executives and strategy and media teams exploring what’s next in planning and creative effectiveness can apply for a complimentary pass.
Publishers and groups of 3 or more navigating AI disruption and retail media realities receive special rates.
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