The MarTech Matrix Podcast

My First Day Working for Mark Cuban ??? This clip is pure gold. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get a crash course in hardcore sales under Mark Cuban’s watch… buckle up. Picture this: I arrive at broadcast.com (then AudioNet) ready to be the consultative, informational sales guy. No high-pressure hustle for me, right? Wrong. Turns out, the place was set up like a high-stakes sales boot camp, with Cuban himself striding through the aisles, clapping and shouting, “Selling time, people! If you can’t sell it on the phone? You can’t sell it!” There I am, looking at my friend and mentor, Robert Davidman, like, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” But you know what? That place and that culture taught me more than I ever expected. Catch the full clip to hear more on this wild sales gauntlet and how it shaped everything after. Links to more clips and the full episode of The MarTech Matrix Podcast are in the comments section. #MarTechMatrix #SalesStories #BroadcastDotCom #MarketingJourney #MarkCuban Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro fear-LS

Critical Thinking is at Risk! ?? Back in the Day, We Had to “Surf” the Web. Now We Just Click and Forget to Think. In a recent episode ofThe MarTech Matrix Podcast, Sean Simon had a chat with Robert Davidman, VP of Media at fear-LS where they took a nostalgic trip back to the early days of the web—where “surfing” really meant getting lost in a maze of links, like a digital scavenger hunt. Links to the full episode and clips are in the comments section Fast forward to today’s always-connected world, and it’s all about instant answers. But here’s the catch—are we still thinking? Are we still questioning, connecting the dots, or just taking whatever Google (or AI) says as the gospel? Robert and I unpack why tech might be smart, but critical thinking? that’s on us. It’s all about teaching the next generation (and ourselves) how to dig deeper, question the info stream, and avoid becoming parrots for the algorithm. Curious to hear how we got from ‘90s web adventures to today’s info overload? Tune in for the full convo! ?? #MarTechMatrix #CriticalThinking #DigitalNostalgia #QuestionEverything Tom Barbaro Cogent Collective

The 1st Online Radio Station Thanks to Mark Cuban ???Ever had Mark Cuban call you up with a wild idea? For Robert Davidman, that’s exactly what happened. One day he’s coding one of the first radio station websites (thanks to a chance ISP pitch at CompUSA), and the next, Cuban’s saying, “I want to put you on the internet.” Translation? Let’s pioneer streaming radio, because why not? And from there, Robert and Cuban were about to bring audio—and eventually a lot more—onto our screens. Want the full story of how it all started? Tune in to this week’s The MarTech Matrix Podcast episode and hear Robert’s wild journey into the digital age, with a dash of Cuban magic. #MarkCuban #DigitalPioneers #MarTechMatrix #InternetHistory Sean Simon Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro fear-LS Links to the full episode and clips are in the comments section

Mark Cuban, The Inventor of Pre-Roll Ads and… Tin-Can Audio? As the interview on The MarTech Matrix Podcast with Sean Simon unfolds, Robert Davidman of fear-LS takes us down memory lane, back to when he helped bring radio online. He recalls the era of “tin can” audio quality and clunky ISDN lines (Mark Cuban told him to get) that felt revolutionary. The kicker? They invented the pre-roll ad at broadcast/AudioNet — that little gem that YouTube, Spotify, and half the internet rely on today. And here’s the best part: they weren’t streaming as we know it today. Think slow-loading packets of data, with audio “hiccups” as it trickled in. Primitive? Absolutely. Game-changing? You bet. Links to the full episode and clips are in the comments section #MarTechMatrix #Podcast #Innovation #AI #MarkCuban #streamingmedia #PreRoll #EarlyInternet #AI #Innovation #MarTech #Advertising #AdAgency Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro

?? Just dropped a new The MarTech Matrix Podcast episode, and it’s packed with stories, insights, and future-shaping ideas that are hard to believe actually happened. Here’s a taste… Links to the full episode and clips are in the comments section Ever wondered who invented the pre-roll ad? Or what it was like working at a company where Mark Cuban would roam the halls shouting, “SELLING TIME, PEOPLE!”? That was my guest, Robert Davidman’s, world. He’s the guy who convinced Sean Simon (Host) to leave a “safe” job for a sales role that led to wild stories and crazy innovation—think the first attempts at streaming, early AI, and more tech firsts than I can count. In our convo, we relive the early days of the internet, some serious “tech legends” moments (let’s just say the first Victoria′s Secret fashion show wasn’t exactly runway ready online), and take a look at what’s next for AI, personalization, and immersive experiences. But here’s the kicker: Rob’s dropping some real truths on AI strategy that every brand should hear before diving headfirst into the AI pool. Spoiler: if your brand’s AI “strategy” doesn’t involve actual people, you’re missing the mark. Want the inside scoop on the tech that’s shaping the future—and the hilarious stories that got us here? Tune in, and thank me later. #MarTechMatrix #Podcast #Innovation #AI #MarkCuban #streamingmedia #PreRoll #EarlyInternet #AI #Innovation #MarTech #Advertising #AdAgency fear-LS Cogent Collective Mark Cuban Tom Barbaro

?? Just dropped a new The MarTech Matrix Podcast episode, and it’s packed with stories, insights, and future-shaping ideas that are hard to believe actually happened. Here’s a taste… Links to the full episode and clips are in the comments section Ever wondered who invented the pre-roll ad? Or what it was like working at a company where Mark Cuban would roam the halls shouting, “SELLING TIME, PEOPLE!”? That was my guest, Robert Davidman’s, world. He’s the guy who convinced Sean Simon (Host) to leave a “safe” job for a sales role that led to wild stories and crazy innovation—think the first attempts at streaming, early AI, and more tech firsts than I can count. In our convo, we relive the early days of the internet, some serious “tech legends” moments (let’s just say the first Victoria′s Secret fashion show wasn’t exactly runway ready online), and take a look at what’s next for AI, personalization, and immersive experiences. But here’s the kicker: Rob’s dropping some real truths on AI strategy that every brand should hear before diving headfirst into the AI pool. Spoiler: if your brand’s AI “strategy” doesn’t involve actual people, you’re missing the mark. Want the inside scoop on the tech that’s shaping the future—and the hilarious stories that got us here? Tune in, and thank me later. #MarTechMatrix #Podcast #Innovation #AI #MarkCuban #streamingmedia #PreRoll #EarlyInternet #AI #Innovation #MarTech #Advertising #AdAgency fear-LS Cogent Collective Mark Cuban Tom Barbaro

?? Don’t Let Holiday Traffic Go to Waste—Make It Your Secret Weapon for 2025! ?? As the holiday season kicks off, marketers are gearing up for an influx of traffic and sales. But here’s the thing—don’t let all those holiday shoppers pass through without capturing valuable insights. Every click, search, and purchase holds the potential to guide your strategy well into 2025! Listen to this final clip from The MarTech Matrix Podcast where Sean Simon spoke with Clay S., CEO and Founder of Krateo.ai. It summarizes why brands need a solution like Krateo to mitigate marketing costs. Then check out more links in the comments. ?? Harnessing Shopper Data: Each visitor interaction during this period paints a clearer picture of customer preferences, trending products, and the paths shoppers take before converting. Use this data to inform future campaigns and adjust your product positioning based on real behaviors, not assumptions. ?? Optimizing Campaigns in Real Time: With platforms like Krateo.ai, you can use live data to improve holiday campaigns on the fly, but don’t stop there. Let the insights you gather now fuel dynamic marketing strategies that adapt to evolving customer needs in 2025. ?? Setting the Stage for a Data-Driven Year: The holiday season is the time to capture data at scale. By analyzing these seasonal patterns, marketers can fine-tune customer segments, better understand purchasing motivators, and make precise predictions about what will resonate next year. Let’s make the holiday season work harder for us—not just for today, but for sustained success in the year ahead. #MarTech #HolidayMarketing #DataDriven #CustomerInsights #MarketingStrategy #KrateoAI Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro Dana Garrett Douglas Smith

?? ATTENTION RETAILERS: Enough with the Damn Pop-UPs?? We’ve all seen it—“Sign up for 10% off via email, or 20% off if you add your phone number for SMS!” It seems like a quick win, but are brands giving away too much just to get that data? More clips and links to the full episode are in the comments section Here’s the scoop from Scott Cohen and Garin Hobbs from InboxArmy on the latest The MarTech Matrix Podcast: Sure, offering a discount might get you that email or SMS opt-in, but brands need to think bigger. Don’t just lead with discounts—it’s a slippery slope to shrinking margins. People are getting smarter about gaming the system, waiting for that extra 15% off in their cart abandon emails or simply grabbing the discount and unsubscribing. ?? Key Insight: It’s all about balance. You’ve got to protect your margin while still bringing people into the fold. Getting that first purchase is crucial, even if it’s at a slight discount. But if you rely too heavily on discounts, you’re training your customers to wait for sales, rather than building long-term loyalty. ?? The takeaway? Don’t lead with discounts, lead with value. Sure, offer the occasional deal to hook them, but make sure your long-term strategy is focused on engagement and experience, not just price cuts. Want to know how to walk that tightrope? Catch the full episode of The MarTech Matrix for more tips! #EmailMarketing #SMSMarketing #DiscountStrategy #TheMarTechMatrix #CustomerEngagement Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro

?? Are You Ready for Shoppable SMS? ?? We’re diving headfirst into the world of Shoppable SMS on the latest The MarTech Matrix Podcast with Sean Simon and his guests, Scott Cohen and Garin Hobbs of InboxArmy—and let’s just say, it’s not as simple as “Click to Buy.” More clips and links to the full episode are in the comments section Here’s the deal: Shoppable SMS is perfect for repeat purchases or products you’re already familiar with. Think subscriptions, quick replenishments, or items you already know and love. Getting that “click here to confirm” message for your Amazon subscription? Easy. It’s a no-brainer. But if you’re asking someone to drop $150 on a new pair of shoes they’ve never heard of? Pump the brakes. People need time to dig in, research, and build trust. You can’t rush them into a considered purchase with a quick text—at least not yet. ?? Key Insight: For brands, Shoppable SMS works best when it’s enhancing convenience—like managing subscriptions or offering simple product variants. But for new or complex products, you need a richer, more informative experience to guide that decision. Shoppable SMS is cool, but it’s not the magic wand for every transaction. Want to know if your brand is ready for it? Catch the full episode of The MarTech Matrix to find out. And if we are lucky, Blu Atwood, CEO of Textual - SMS Commerce will join the conversation in the comments and share some examples of how Shoppable SMS works and when it makes the most sense to use. Maybe he will even come on the podcast... #ShoppableSMS #SMSMarketing #TheMarTechMatrix #CustomerConvenience #InboxArmy Cogent Collective Tom Barbaro

?? WhatsApp Is NOT SMS—And Here’s Why That Matters ?? I used to think of WhatsApp as that app I downloaded to talk to my one friend overseas (shoutout to Israel ????). Fast forward, and now it’s like the wild west of group chats, communities, and… marketing? More clips and links to the full episode are in the comments section Here’s the deal, straight from Garin Hobbs and Scott Cohen from InboxArmy on the latest The MarTech Matrix Podcast: ?? WhatsApp ≠ SMS: While SMS is limited by character count and basic text formatting, WhatsApp is an entirely different beast. It’s basically an app within an app, giving marketers a whole new canvas to play with—think videos, animations, forms, rich media—the works. ?? The Opportunity: WhatsApp’s global audience is HUGE. Outside of the U.S., it’s the go-to communication platform. If you’re marketing internationally and still treating WhatsApp like SMS… you’re leaving money on the table. ?? Bottom Line: Don’t treat WhatsApp like your typical text blast. It’s a more dynamic, interactive tool—use it to create richer customer experiences. And don’t forget, the reach is next-level. Ready to level up your messaging game? Catch the full convo on The MarTech Matrix and learn how to harness the true power of WhatsApp. ?? #WhatsAppMarketing #SMSvsWhatsApp #TheMarTechMatrix #GlobalMarketing #InboxArmy Sean Simon Tom Barbaro Etgar Shpivak Cogent Collective