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The Sonic Truth

The Sonic Truth

By: Advertising Week
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Hear people talking about how we’re going through an “audio renaissance?” So do we, and it’s true! And because we’re constantly talking with some of the most fundamental players in audio — both friends and business partners alike, from sonic stalwarts to new converts — we thought it made a lot of sense to bring these great minds to the mic. With a new episode every couple weeks, The Sonic Truth Podcast Series explores the issue from a unique angle. Episodes will not only feature the stories and perspectives of media leaders, they’ll reveal new data generated from research that many of those leaders have conducted on how and why audio truly moves people. From voices in ads to gender politics to audio branding, the series will entertain, educate, and help businesses think about a sonic path forward. The Sonic Truth is a production of Veritonic and AW360.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • The Future of Media and Advertising in a Fragmented World with Alan Wolk
    Jun 15 2026

    In this episode of The Sonic Truth Podcast, Scott Simonelli sits down with Alan Wolk, co-founder of TVREV and author of Over the Top, to explore how fragmentation is reshaping the future of media, advertising, and culture.

    Alan shares his journey from law school to becoming one of the most influential voices in streaming TV, offering a clear view of how the decline of monoculture has changed the way audiences consume content and how brands reach them. The conversation focuses on the rise of “feudal media,” the growing influence of AI and hyper-personalization, and why traditional mass media no longer works the way it once did.

    The discussion also looks at what these shifts mean for marketers, from the challenges of reaching audiences inside increasingly isolated media bubbles to the opportunities emerging for small businesses through CTV, AI tools, and more accessible advertising channels. Together, Scott and Alan explain why the future of media will reward brands that understand audience segmentation, speak the language of their customers, and adapt faster than the market around them.

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    42 mins
  • ACR, Home Screens, and the Future of CTV with Mike Brooks
    Jan 15 2026

    In this episode of The Sonic Truth Podcast, Scott Simonelli sits down with Mike Brooks, a veteran of connected television and digital advertising, to explore how television is evolving into a measurable, performance-driven platform.

    Mike shares his journey through the mobile app ecosystem and major companies such as AOL and LG, offering perspective on how CTV has adopted many of the tools and mindsets of digital and programmatic advertising. The conversation focuses on the growing importance of Automated Content Recognition (ACR), the emergence of TV home screens as a powerful new media surface, and why accessibility in CTV advertising is improving for brands of all sizes.

    The discussion also looks ahead to what’s next, including the rise of free ad-supported television (FAST), increasing fragmentation across formats and platforms, and how regulatory shifts may drive renewed momentum in local TV advertising. Together, Scott and Mike explain why the next 18 months will be a defining period for CTV, creative strategy, and performance marketing.

    • Mike Brooks brings deep experience across digital advertising, mobile, and CTV
    • The evolution of CTV closely mirrors earlier shifts in digital and mobile marketing
    • Automated Content Recognition (ACR) is becoming foundational for targeting and measurement
    • TV home screens represent a major emerging media opportunity
    • Accessibility in CTV advertising is improving across the market
    • Performance marketing is becoming more deeply integrated into television
    • Creative strategies must adapt to a fragmented, multi-format media environment
    • FAST channels are becoming a significant force in the advertising ecosystem
    • Regulatory changes may reignite momentum in local TV advertising
    • The next 18 months will be pivotal for programmatic and CTV growth
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    43 mins
  • From Noise to Signal: How Leif Welch Tuned JamLoop for CTV Performance
    Dec 22 2025

    In this episode of The Sonic Truth, Leif Welch, CEO of JamLoop, joins the show to share his 25-year journey through ad tech and entrepreneurship. Leif walks through JamLoop’s evolution from an early marketplace for musicians into a modern connected TV (CTV) advertising platform built for performance and scale.

    The conversation explores why creativity remains central to business growth, how JamLoop serves mid-market advertisers with high-touch technology, and what it takes to balance transparency, trust, and results in today’s advertising ecosystem. Leif also outlines JamLoop’s expansion into performance advertising and the company’s vision for bridging local and national campaigns through smarter creative and data-driven execution.

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    41 mins
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