Kevel

02/05/2026

TV advertising just became accessible to brands of all sizes.

In this episode of Unlocking Retail Media, our CEO James Avery sits down with James Borow, who's building the Universal Ads platform at Comcast. Before that, he launched and scaled Snap's ad platform from $0 to over a billion dollars a year.

In this episode, we cover:

• How brands can start testing TV advertising with just $50
• Why the measurement problem is finally solved with incrementality testing
• The study showing TV advertising makes your other channels perform better
• How AI has eliminated the creative barrier (you can build a TV-worthy ad in 30 minutes)
• Why retailers should think about CTV first when going offsite
• Agentic commerce and where advertising is actually headed
• Why TV isn't just for Fortune 500 brands anymore

If you're building or scaling a retail media network, this episode is packed with insights you can apply today.

Subscribe to Unlocking Retail Media for more conversations on retail media, advertising technology, and the future of commerce.

TV advertising just became accessible to brands of all sizes.In this episode of Unlocking Retail Media, our CEO James Avery sits down with James Borow, who's...

01/22/2026

🚀 Start fast, think smart.

In the latest Unlocking Retail Media, James Avery chats with Ben Johnson (Chewy Ads) on building retail media strategies:

✅ Platform independence = long-term success
✅ Focus on YOUR unique customers

🎧 Listen here: https://www.kevel.com/podcast

01/22/2026

🚀 Start fast, think ahead!

In the latest episode of Unlocking Retail Media with James Avery, James talks to Ben Johnson, Senior Director of Chewy Ads, who offers invaluable advice for building a truly differentiated retail media strategy:

🌟 Platform independence might not seem vital in the first 6-12 months, but it becomes the foundation for long-term success.
🌟 Don't just replicate Amazon, learn what makes your customers unique and build on it.

Chewy's subscription-based model changed the game for how they approached ads, proving that in retail media, the ads ARE the content.

Balancing ad performance with customer satisfaction is key.

Catch the full conversation now on your favorite podcast platform and discover Ben's framework for aligning user and advertiser goals.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.kevel.com/podcast

01/13/2026

🎙️ New Unlocking Retail Media episode drops today!

James Avery is in conversation with Retail Media Network Consultant, Sam Wright. Previously at Klarna, Sam led the team that successfully built Klarna Media from the ground up.

He shares a simple truth: businesses with revenues in the low millions are successfully launching retail media networks alongside companies doing billions.

The real question isn't about size. It's about having:
▪️ A solid core business
▪️ Clear demand from brands wanting to reach your customers
▪️ A way to deliver measurable results

Most retailers already see the signs. Brands are asking for more ways to connect with your audience. They want better attribution. They want to move beyond vague trade dollars into trackable performance.

The headroom varies by business, but the opportunity is real across the board.

Sam's advice? Start by looking at what brands are already asking you for. If there's pull in the market, you have what you need to begin.

Listen to the full conversation between James Avery and Sam Wright on all podcast platforms here 👇

https://www.kevel.com/podcast

12/16/2025

🚨 "If you're in retail media, you should definitely be concerned about this."

Scot Wingo doesn't hold back in our latest Unlocking Retail Media episode.

The serial entrepreneur and founder of ReFiBuy breaks down why dismissing agentic commerce is "really bad advice" for retail media networks, brands, and retailers.

In this conversation with James Avery, Scot reveals:

🎧 Why Amazon's $60B ad business has made their search "basically useless"
🎧 How AI is changing where and how shopping happens
🎧 What retailers must do with their product catalogs to stay visible
🎧 Why brands and retailers are at "an 11 out of 10" on the freaked-out scale

The shift is happening faster than most people think.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://www.kevel.com/podcast

12/09/2025

🔐 Unlocking a new conversation...

The rules of retail media have changed and Matthew Nichols from Commerce Ventures has watched the shift firsthand. What started as a simple choice — build like Amazon or fully outsource — has become far more complex.

In our latest episode, Matt breaks down five forces reshaping the industry:

🎧 AI is killing keyword targeting. Large language models now identify product associations humans never could, shifting advertising from search terms to outcomes.
🎧 ChatGPT could become the next Shopify.
Interactive AI platforms let consumers ask questions, compare options, and buy, all without leaving the experience.
🎧 Lean supply chains are winning.
Companies like Shein prove keeping products close to manufacturers beats pushing inventory to consumers.
🎧 Marketplaces drive ad revenue.
More third-party products mean more competition and more sponsored placements.
🎧 Full outsourcing is dead.
Retail media is too valuable to hand off completely, but building everything in-house isn't realistic either.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation with James Avery and Matthew Nichols:

https://www.kevel.com/podcast

12/09/2025

🚨 This week’s Kevel newsletter is live!

We’re diving into how Albertsons is connecting CTV advertising to real retail performance through closed-loop measurement, what brands actually need from retail media networks, and how major retailers are rethinking their business models.

We also explore how AI agents are transforming supplier reporting and why convenience retail deserves more attention in the evolving retail media landscape.

👉 Stay ahead with this week’s must-read retail media insights, updates, and trends!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cpg-wins-kevelapi-raxge

12/02/2025

📬 This week’s update from Kevel drops major ad-tech insights

• How Nextdoor is using AI to change local advertising
• What retail media networks should watch out for to keep growing
• Why incrementality measurement is still a tough challenge
• John Lewis & Partners’ in-store digital innovation
• How PayPal sees the future of commerce media

If you're in marketing or retail media — you’ll want to check this out!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-stop-ad-shop-kevelapi-axlae

12/02/2025

🎙️ New conversation unlocked on Unlocking Retail Media!

In this snippet, Mark Mannino explains why “defense” has always been central to how brands protect their position — whether on the shelf or in digital search.

With leadership experience at Amazon Ads, Flywheel, and now VidMob, he brings a rare 360° view of what brands truly need from retail media networks.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here

https://www.kevel.com/podcast

11/27/2025

🍁 Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to our US team, customers, and all who celebrate!

Today, we take a moment to reflect on what we're grateful for:

🌟 Our dedicated team around the world who drive continuous innovation and success.
🌟 Our amazing customers and partners who make everything we do possible.
🌟 And a holiday that reminds us to pause, connect, and enjoy good food (pumpkin pie included)!

Thank you for being part of the Kevel journey, we’re grateful for each of you!

11/25/2025

📧 This week’s Kevel newsletter is out!

We’re diving into:
✨ Nextdoor’s new AI-powered approach to local advertising
📉 How retail media networks can avoid plateauing
📊 Ongoing challenges with incrementality measurement
🛍️ John Lewis & Partners’ latest in-store digital innovation
💳 PayPal’s perspective on the future of commerce media

Lots of great insights this week — check it out and stay ahead in retail media!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/postcode-precision-kevelapi-i4pne

11/19/2025

🎙️ AI will change the way we shop and this shift is happening fast.

In this clip, Dr. Mark Grether explains why AI will change where shopping happens, and how PayPal Ads is responding with Storefront Ads.

This is just one part of a fascinating conversation in Episode 1 of Unlocking Retail Media with James Avery.

🎧 Listen to the full episode → https://www.kevel.com/podcast