AI: fear it or figure it out? This week on The Media Odyssey Podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with David Rudnick, CTO of LG Ad Solutions, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping connected TV, from creative optimization to real-time personalization. They tackle big questions: Is AI replacing jobs or removing the boring parts? How can marketers catch viewers in their moments of interest? And what happens when your content strategy is as adaptive as your audience?
From “cutting the fat” to building trust in algorithms, this episode breaks down the hype and the hope surrounding AI in the media. Whether you’re a technophobe, a curious skeptic, or already deep in prompt engineering, Rudnick’s insights will challenge how you think about ad targeting, content curation, and the next era of storytelling. Tap in, and maybe even wake up a little more “AI curious.”
Thank you David Rudnick for joining the pod!
David Rudnick: LinkedIn
Key Takeaways:
- AI isn't replacing jobs, instead, it’s refining them: Rather than eliminating roles, AI is streamlining tedious tasks, freeing up creatives and technologists to focus on higher-value, more fulfilling work.
- CTV needs AI to compete with digital: To catch up with the personalization and precision of walled garden platforms, connected TV must adopt AI-driven strategies that match viewer intent in real time.
- Moments matter more than profiles: LG Ads is shifting from static user profiles to moment-based targeting, using AI to identify and act on fleeting interests and purchase intent as they happen.
- Infrastructure is everything: Embracing AI at scale requires serious backend investment—centralized data, scalable cloud compute, and a test-and-learn mindset that blends proprietary tools with smart partnerships.
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Connect with us on Linkedin:
Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/
Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/
Newsletters:
Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/
Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Diving into AI: Love-Hate Relationship
03:29 AI Usage and Demographics
06:47 AI in the Workplace: Case Studies
10:17 AI's Impact on Jobs and Mental Health
18:32 Ethical Considerations and Future of AI
20:06 AI in Education and Accessibility
21:26 AI Bundling and Industry Disruption
23:51 AI's Impact on Media and Advertising
25:19 Introducing David Rudnick from LG Ads
26:32 AI in the CTV Ecosystem
27:46 The Role of Machine Learning in Advertising
30:04 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Integration
32:55 The Future of AI in Television
34:37 Embracing AI in Business
40:38 The Positive Impact of AI on Consumers
43:30 Final Thoughts and Takeaways on AI
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:49) - Diving into AI: Love-Hate Relationship
- (03:29) - AI Usage and Demographics
- (06:47) - AI in the Workplace: Case Studies
- (10:17) - AI's Impact on Jobs and Mental Health
- (18:32) - Ethical Considerations and Future of AI
- (20:06) - AI in Education and Accessibility
- (21:26) - AI Bundling and Industry Disruption
- (23:51) - AI's Impact on Media and Advertising
- (25:19) - Introducing David Rudnick from LG Ads
- (26:32) - AI in the CTV Ecosystem
- (27:46) - The Role of Machine Learning in Advertising
- (30:04) - Challenges and Opportunities in AI Integration
- (32:55) - The Future of AI in Television
- (34:37) - Embracing AI in Business
- (40:38) - The Positive Impact of AI on Consumers
- (43:30) - Final Thoughts and Takeaways on AI