I recently had the pleasure of joining one of my favorite retail media podcasts, Unlocked, with Austin and Elizabeth. Today, I’m sharing a snippet from that conversation in which we get into something much more personal: my process as a writer, how I consistently create content, and why storytelling has become such a powerful tool in my work.

I also open up about how I actually use AI in my day-to-day workflow (and why I still feel behind!), plus a storytelling framework that’s completely changed how I approach content. And to top it off, I share a slightly embarrassing — but very real — story from my early days in retail media that you likely haven’t heard before.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – Why I love the Unlocked podcast and what makes it different from typical retail media shows
[00:45] – My real, unfiltered process for creating consistent content (yes, sometimes it’s last-minute)
[02:00] – How I think about content ideas and why I never run out of things to say
[03:00] – The AI tools I actually use (and how they help me scale output)
[04:00] – My storytelling framework and the “Homework for Life” habit
[08:00] – The origin of my retail media journey and the moment that changed everything
[09:15] – The unexpected legal drama behind one of my books

Links & Resources

• Listen to my full appearance on Unlocked
• Subscribe to Unlocked with Austin and Elizabeth on Apple Podcasts
• Follow Austin Leonard, Vice President and General Manager of DG Media Network, on LinkedIn
• Follow Elizabeth Neubauer-Donovan, EVP, Global Head of Commerce & Retail Media Networks @ Acxiom Omnicom, on LinkedIn
• Read my related articles:
  • Writing From the Middle of the Room
  • My Media Diet
  • Get On The Damn Stage
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Follow my new Instagram account for comedy skits about the quirks of retail media @retailmediabreakfastclub
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Today I'm unpacking a blind spot that completely changed how I’m thinking about AI’s impact on retail media. Recently I’ve been talking a lot about the long-term threat of agentic commerce — fewer ad surfaces, weaker first-party data— but there’s a more immediate issue already happening right now. AI agents are actively browsing retail sites, clicking around, and triggering ad impressions… without a human ever seeing a single ad.

I walk through how this is quietly distorting ad metrics, inflating performance data, and concerningly, corrupting the behavioral signals that power retail media targeting. If AI agents are shaping audience data and driving “fake” intent, what does that mean for the entire measurement system? And are we even asking the right questions yet?

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – Why a Business of Fashion article made me rethink AI’s impact on retail media
[00:45] – The structural threat of AI shopping agents to ad surfaces and first-party data
[01:15] – How AI agents are already clicking ads, and why brands are paying for it
[02:18] – The illusion of impressions: from humans scrolling to bots with no eyes
[03:06] – The “relentless agent” problem: repeated clicks and inflated ad events
[03:45] – How AI activity is poisoning behavioral data and audience targeting
[05:36] – “Cost per human”: the emerging fix, and why it’s harder than it sounds
[06:00] – What this means for retail media networks right now (not someday)

Links & Resources

• Business of Fashion article: How AI Shopping Agents Are Reshaping Fashion’s Ad Economy
• Learn more about AI analytics company DoubleVerify
• Read my related articles:
  • ‘Dark Search’ Is Making AI-Facilitated Commerce Look Smaller Than It Really Is
  • Dark Search, Broken Signals, and What Comes Next for Retail Media
  • Agentic Commerce Is a Sequencing Problem, Not an Existential One
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Follow my new Instagram account for comedy skits about the quirks of retail media @retailmediabreakfastclub
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

In this episode, I dive into a fascinating recent conversation featuring Gildan’s Jason O’Toole on The CPG Guys podcast and unpack a powerful idea that stopped me in my tracks: brand media lowers the tax you pay on growth. If you’ve ever struggled to justify upper-funnel spend or connect brand investment to real performance outcomes, this one’s for you.

I break down three key takeaways from the discussion, including how Gildan is structuring its teams to align brand and commerce, why traditional metrics like impressions are losing relevance, and what a high-impact Amazon campaign can teach us about speed, scale, and full-funnel execution. There’s a lot here that challenges conventional retail media thinking so let’s get into it!

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – Why apparel is one of the most competitive and margin-pressured categories in retail
[01:12] – The idea that “brand media lowers the tax you pay on growth” and why it matters
[02:40] – How budget ownership shapes the role retail media plays inside organizations
[03:31] – Why impressions are a flawed metric and what to focus on instead
[05:13] – The two metrics that actually matter: branded search and incrementality
[06:30] – Inside Gildan’s Amazon homepage campaign and what made it so effective

Links & Resources

• Listen to the full CPG Guys episode: Winning in Social Commerce with Gildan's Jason O'Toole & Katie Tripodi
• Subscribe to The CPG Guys: Apple Podcasts and YouTube
• Follow Jason O'Toole, Head of Connected Commerce & Media @ Glidan, on LinkedIn
• Follow Katie Sierveld Tripodi, Director, Ecommerce Activation and Strategy @ Hanesbrands Inc., on LinkedIn
• Read my related articles:
  • iROAS results can be easily gamed. But we shouldn't just throw it away
  • 'Not 100% altruistic': ad measurement veteran on what retail media is really optimizing for
  • Ecommerce Signals Are Shrinking. Why Retailers Must Earn New Ones
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Follow my new Instagram account for comedy skits about the retail media industry @retailmediabreakfastclub
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Today I’m taking you behind the scenes of something I don’t talk about enough: what it really feels like to start over, even after years of experience. From launching a brand-new Instagram account @retailmediabreakfastclub with barely any followers, to reflecting on my early days writing “into the void,” I share the uncomfortable truth about building content, credibility, and confidence in public.

I also dig into the process that’s helped me generate ideas consistently, navigate mistakes, and find my voice in a fast-moving industry like retail media. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, wondered how to build your content muscle, or questioned whether your perspective is “enough,” this one’s for you.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] - Starting from zero (again!): launching Instagram after building a LinkedIn audience

[01:00] - Writing in obscurity: the early days of publishing with no audience

[01:30] - My breakthrough moment: landing a paid contributor role at Forbes

[03:00] - Why quantity drives creativity (and how I generate endless content ideas)

[04:20] - The power of being wrong: how mistakes lead to better, richer content

[06:45] - “The middle of the room”: finding your voice between expertise and curiosity

[09:45] - Getting comfortable being bad at something new (and why it matters)

Links & Resources

• My new Instagram account: @retailmediabreakfastclub
• Read my related articles:
  • My Media Diet
  • Get On The Damn Stage
  • Apply For The Damn Award
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Not all shopping is created equal. And honestly, not all of it is fun.

Today I'm unpacking the tension between the idea of AI-powered shopping and the reality of how we actually shop today. While we love the experience of discovering products and making intentional choices, a huge portion of shopping — especially groceries — is repetitive, operational and tedious.

I explore where consumers are already signaling openness to AI assistance (hint: it’s not where you might think), and why the current tools still fall short of solving the real problem. From meal planning to managing the “messy middle” of grocery lists, I break down what’s missing, what’s coming, and why the future of agentic commerce may arrive faster than expected, once the technology finally catches up to demand.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – My daily cooking ritual and why grocery shopping is the least enjoyable part
[01:15] – The difference between “fun” shopping and repetitive shopping missions
[01:37] – What consumer behavior data reveals about how we actually shop
[02:15] – Where consumers are already comfortable letting AI step in
[03:00] – A real-world example of DIY grocery automation
[04:30] – Why current retail tools fail to solve the “messy middle” of shopping
[06:00] – The trust gap in grocery delivery (yes, even bananas matter!)
[08:30] – The real barrier to AI shopping adoption: technology, not psychology
[10:00] – Consumer attitudes toward AI agents completing purchases
[11:00] – What needs to happen before agentic commerce goes mainstream

Links & Resources

• Andrea K. Leigh's LinkedIn post about the grocery ordering browser extension she built
• Follow Andrea K. Leigh, Founder @ Allume Group, on LinkedIn
• Read my related articles:
  • Agentic Commerce Is a Sequencing Problem, Not an Existential One
  • Don’t Dance On The Grave Of Agentic Shopping Just Yet
  • How To Be Right About AI, And Still Lose
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

Today I'm unpacking a fascinating shift happening right under our noses in retail media — what has been coined “dark search.” I explore how AI-driven discovery is quietly reshaping the way consumers find and buy products. The big question: is this trend actually helping retail media grow, or is it eroding the very signals it depends on?

I dive into two new pieces of research that seem to tell completely different stories: one suggesting AI is expanding the e-commerce pie, and the other arguing we’re flying blind when it comes to measuring its true impact. If you’re in retail, e-commerce, or media, this episode will challenge how you think about attribution, conversion, and the future of shopper behavior.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – Why I’m cautious about extrapolating from my own shopping habits and how the Hawthorne Effect plays into consumer behavior
[00:45] – The “dark search” moment: how AI influenced my purchase before I ever hit a retailer’s site
[02:01] – Criteo’s report: AI-driven traffic converts 1.5x higher and lands directly on product pages
[03:45] – RefiBuy’s findings: up to 70% of AI-influenced traffic is invisible to analytics tools
[05:00] – The shocking conversion rates of “dark” AI traffic and what that means for retailers
[06:30] – Reconciling two opposing views: AI growth vs. measurement blind spots
[08:00] – Why this shift could be a structural threat to retail media economics

Links & Resources

• Read Criteo's 2026 Commerce & AI Trend Report
• Read ReFiBuy's DACT piece by Scot Wingo on LinkedIn: Dark Agentic Commerce Traffic (DACT): Answer Engines Are Sending High-Intent Shoppers to your PDPs, But Your Analytics Miss >70%
• Read my related articles:
  • ‘Dark Search’ Is Making AI-Facilitated Commerce Look Smaller Than It Really Is
  • Dark Search, Broken Signals, and What Comes Next for Retail Media
  • Agentic Commerce Is a Sequencing Problem, Not an Existential One
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

The conventional wisdom says AI advertising is something for the future, but I’m not buying that. Today, I extrapolate on Debbie Ajo Williamson’s insights shared on a recent Retailgentic episode, and break down why AI ads are already here, moving fast, and reshaping how retail media works in real time. Debbie digs into what’s actually happening behind the scenes with ChatGPT’s ad rollout, and why this is far more than a simple experiment.

I also unpack what this means for retailers: from early adoption trends to the emerging tension between platforms and brands, and ultimately where this is all headed. Finally, I delve into the idea that ads may soon stop targeting humans altogether, and start influencing AI agents instead. If you’re in retail media, this is one of those “pay attention now or regret it later” moments.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:15] - Why ChatGPT’s ad rollout is not a test: it’s the beginning of a major shift

[01:15] - How early ad formats are intentionally simple (and why that matters)
[03:00] - The “18 years vs. 18 months” comparison between Amazon and OpenAI

[05:00] - Retailers jump in early and the rise of the “frenemy” dynamic

[06:30] - The next wave of AI ad formats and evolving user interfaces

[08:00] - The future of ads targeting AI agents instead of humans

Links & Resources

• Listen to the full Retailgentic episode: The AI Ad Gold Rush: Inside ChatGPT’s Ad Test, Retail Media’s Next Battle, and the Rise of “AI Media” with Debra Aho Williamson
• Subscribe to Retailgentic: Apple Podcasts and YouTube
• Subscribe to Debra Aho Williamson's newsletter: The AI Ad Economy
• Follow Debra Aho Williamson, founder @ Sonata Insights, on LinkedIn
• Read my related articles:
  • ChatGPT Ads Are Here. I'm Not Panicking.
  • What Is Your AI Agent Buying? [New Research]
  • Should Your Industry Advertise in AI Media in 2026?
• I'm hosting a LIVE event with In-Store Marketplace and Catalyst Media Consulting on April 22 about In-Store Retail Media: are we measuring the wrong things? We'll discuss New Research on the state of in-store retail media measurement — and why the path forward may actually be simpler than the industry is making it. REGISTER HERE
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn

A few months ago, it felt like everyone in retail media was bracing for impact. Agentic commerce, zero-click search, and Gen AI were being treated as existential threats. But lately, I’ve noticed a shift. In this episode, I unpack what I’m hearing behind closed doors and on the ground at Shoptalk. The panic is cooling, and smarter, more strategic conversations are taking its place.

I dive into what this transition actually means for retailers right now. Are they behind? Are they ignoring the disruption? Or are they playing a longer, more deliberate game? From Costco’s methodical approach, to Target’s massive AI overhaul, I explore why the real challenge isn’t reacting quickly: it’s building the infrastructure to respond at all. If you want to understand where retail media is truly headed in an AI-driven world, this episode is for you.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – The 2025 survey that revealed retail media’s biggest fears around Gen AI and zero-click search

[00:45] – Why the mood is shifting from panic to practical strategy among retail leaders

[01:30] – Costco’s “order of operations” mindset and why patience may be a competitive advantage

[03:00] – Why modular tech stacks and data layers are becoming critical for future AI integration

[04:45] – Target’s bold move: rewriting 60% of its app to become AI-ready

[07:00] – The shift toward focusing on onsite experience instead of chasing external AI trends

Links & Resources

• EMARKETER/Bain survey from 2025: Retail Media, Unfiltered: What RMNs Told Us About Scaling, Struggling, and Succeeding
• Replay of my livestream with Mark Williamson (Costco) and Jon Flugstad (MetaRouter): Costco Retail Media & The Commerce Media Tech Stack 2.0
• Read my related articles:
  • The 3 Ways Agentic Commerce Could Destroy Retail Media
  • Dark Search, Broken Signals, and What Comes Next for Retail Media
  • The Secret Hopes & Dreams of RMN Leaders
  • While We Debate What's 'Really' Agentic, Retail Media's Foundation Is Already Shifting
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn