Ep. 65 Reviving Yahoo!: A Conversation with Rob Wilk

In this episode of the AdTechGod Pod, Rob Wilk, Yahoo's Chief Revenue Officer, shares his career journey in advertising, highlighting his experiences at notable companies like Overture and Microsoft. He discusses the cultural shift at Yahoo, the integration of AI in advertising, and the importance of personal connections in the industry. Rob emphasizes the joy of working in advertising and the significance of brand loyalty, particularly towards Yahoo and Microsoft.

Takeaways

Rob Wilk has a 30-year career in advertising.

He was the first salesperson at Rollingstone.com.

Yahoo is experiencing a cultural revival with many former employees returning.

AI is integrated into all Yahoo products, enhancing advertising outcomes.

The advertising industry is fun and attracts passionate people.

Rob values personal connections and relationships in his career.

Helping others brings Rob personal satisfaction.

AI should be seen as a tool to enhance work, not a threat.

The culture at Yahoo emphasizes collaboration and positivity.

Rob respects the leadership and culture at Microsoft. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rob Wilk and Yahoo's Revival

01:20 Rob Wilk's Career Journey in Advertising

06:12 The Evolution of Digital Advertising and Overture

11:59 Yahoo's Cultural Shift and Team Dynamics

16:23 AI's Impact on Advertising and Sales

22:00 The Joy of the Advertising Industry and Personal Connections

29:39 Brand Loyalty and Reflections on Microsoft

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