Amazon Ads’ Former Evangelist on the Future of Retail Media
EPISODE #262
Summary
Featuring: Jeff Cohen, Chief Business Development Officer, Skai and former Principal Evangelist, Amazon Ads
Retail media — or should we say commerce media — has exploded into one of the fastest-growing opportunities in marketing. But with so many players, platforms and acronyms, where is it all headed?
In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Jeff Cohen, former Principal Evangelist at Amazon Ads, to unpack how the space has evolved and what’s coming next.
Jeff shares how he went from building one of Amazon’s first third-party ad technologies to helping brands navigate a new era of connected, data-driven commerce. He breaks down the shift from retail media to commerce media, the impact of AI-powered shopping on marketing and how brands can move beyond walled gardens to reach today’s omnichannel shoppers.
Key Takeaways:
- How retail media has evolved into commerce media — and why the distinction matters;
- The role of agentic AI in optimizing campaigns and connecting fragmented data;
- What brands can learn from Amazon’s retail media dominance and Skai’s cross-channel approach;
- Why unified, actionable data matters more than endless metrics;
- Lessons on innovation, adaptation and taking smart risks from Jeff’s eclectic career.
Related Links
- Learn how Skai is connecting brands and retailers through data-driven media
- Related reading: New Research Reveals Agency Execs’ True Opinions on Retail Media
- Explore more insights on the future of commerce media on Retail TouchPoints
- Catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
Summary
Featuring: Jeff Cohen, Chief Business Development Officer, Skai and former Principal Evangelist, Amazon Ads
Retail media — or should we say commerce media — has exploded into one of the fastest-growing opportunities in marketing. But with so many players, platforms and acronyms, where is it all headed?
In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Jeff Cohen, former Principal Evangelist at Amazon Ads, to unpack how the space has evolved and what’s coming next.
Jeff shares how he went from building one of Amazon’s first third-party ad technologies to helping brands navigate a new era of connected, data-driven commerce. He breaks down the shift from retail media to commerce media, the impact of AI-powered shopping on marketing and how brands can move beyond walled gardens to reach today’s omnichannel shoppers.
Key Takeaways:
- How retail media has evolved into commerce media — and why the distinction matters;
- The role of agentic AI in optimizing campaigns and connecting fragmented data;
- What brands can learn from Amazon’s retail media dominance and Skai’s cross-channel approach;
- Why unified, actionable data matters more than endless metrics;
- Lessons on innovation, adaptation and taking smart risks from Jeff’s eclectic career.
Related Links
- Learn how Skai is connecting brands and retailers through data-driven media
- Related reading: New Research Reveals Agency Execs’ True Opinions on Retail Media
- Explore more insights on the future of commerce media on Retail TouchPoints
- Catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
