TechBurst Talks

In the dynamic realm of technology, buzzwords such as IoT, Smart Cities, and AI hold promise for transformative change, yet why do they often fall short of expectations? Introducing TechBurst Talks — a beacon of pragmatism in an industry often swayed by complacent optimism. Join us as we engage with global industry leaders to delve into the latest buzzwords, discerning between hype and reality.

059: AI & Advertising: From MAD MEN to MACHINE LEARNING 03/20/2025

059: AI & Advertising: From MAD MEN to MACHINE LEARNING 🚀 AI is transforming advertising, and in this episode, we dive deep into how digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising is changing the game. My guest, Dagny Lacka, founder of Flow City, explains how her company is using AI, foot traffic analytics, and real-time bidding to make billboard advertising as dynamic and targeted as online ads. No more two-week static campaigns—now brands can target the right people, at the right time, in the right place. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ How AI is revolutionising outdoor advertising ✅ The power of real-time ad buying & precision targeting ✅ How challenger brands are using AI to take on big advertisers ✅ The future of DOOH advertising—from 3D billboards to hyperlocal campaigns 🔥 Whether you’re in marketing, AI, or just curious about how technology is reshaping the industry, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Tune in now! SHOW NOTES: ⏳ [00:00] Introduction • Charles welcomes Dagny Lacka, founder of Flow City. • Today’s topic: How AI is transforming the digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising industry. ⏳ [01:30] What is Digital Out-of-Home Advertising? • DOOH is modern outdoor advertising using digital billboards instead of static posters. • Ads can now be traded in real time, rather than booked in weeks-long slots. • More flexibility and precision targeting for advertisers. ⏳ [04:15] How Flow City is Changing the Game • Flow City connects AI, foot traffic data, and ad space to help brands buy smarter and target better. • Real-time audience insights: Ads are served when the right people are present. • Example: A tech brand targeting London professionals can buy space at peak commute hours in key locations. ⏳ [08:30] Dagny’s Journey: From Journalism to AI & Advertising • Started in TV advertising, later shifted into digital outdoor advertising. • Founded Flow City to make advertising more data-driven and accessible. • Early challenges: Moving from retail analytics to smart city-driven ad placements. ⏳ [12:00] AI & Footfall Analytics in Advertising • Predicting audience movement in cities using AI. • Why traditional retail analytics didn’t work, but DOOH was a perfect match. • Dynamic content: Tailoring ads in real-time based on location and audience type. ⏳ [16:30] The Pandemic Pivot: Turning Crisis into Growth • COVID-19 shut down outdoor advertising, leaving Flow City in crisis. • The tech team used the downtime to develop better automation. • Breakthrough moment: Secured direct access to premium ad networks, unlocking major growth. • New model: Clients only pay for ads when they are actually seen, reducing risk. ⏳ [21:00] AI’s Role in Pricing & Campaign Optimization • AI helps brands find the best locations at the best prices. • Avoiding high-cost ad slots by identifying when advertising competition is lower. • Strategic ad buying: Instead of running for two weeks, brands can spread ads over months for better impact. ⏳ [25:15] Challenger Brands vs. Big Advertisers • Big brands are slow to adopt change, while small brands use AI to disrupt the market. • Case study: A challenger brand outperformed an industry leader, which eventually went into administration. • Startups and new brands can now compete with industry giants using targeted, affordable ad placements. ⏳ [30:00] How Flow City Works for Clients • AI analyzes audience behavior and suggests optimal ad placements. • Example: Instead of random billboards across London, the system targets a specific group repeatedly for higher impact. • Smart pricing: Ads are placed where they cost less but still reach the right people. ⏳ [34:00] The Future of Digital Out-of-Home Advertising • 3D digital ads & transparent screens are the next big innovations. • Hyperlocal targeting: Global brands are now customizing ads per city and even per neighborhood. • AI is improving real-time engagement in advertising, making campaigns more interactive. ⏳ [37:30] Startup Challenges & The London VC Scene • London’s VC market is risk-averse, making it harder for startups to secure funding. • Many European startups end up raising money in the US or Asia. • Flow City grew by focusing on profitability instead of chasing VC funding. ⏳ [40:00] Final Thoughts & Closing • Flow City’s mission: Help challenger brands take market share from incumbents. • The future: Expanding to more markets, helping millions of businesses run smarter ad campaigns. /episode/index/show/techburstasia/id/35790390

058: The ART & SCIENCE of B2B Marketing: Delivering what Buyers VALUE 02/11/2025

057: SAMSUNG'S GALAXY AI: Exploring Innovation, Security and Real-World Applications for AI on the Smartphone 11/28/2024

056: DEMYSTIFYING AI: The NO BULLSHIT Guide 09/24/2024

055: TELCO TRENDS 2024: The 5G Profit Puzzle & Telco Transformation 08/28/2024

054: IoT REIMAGINED: Practicality over Promises 08/10/2024

053: The NO BULLSHIT Journey: Discovering Your True Self 07/20/2024

052: THE MIDDLE EAST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: The money is there, now what? 10/17/2023

052: THE MIDDLE EAST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: The money is there, now what? If you keep up to date with the latest technology news, you know that the momentum and investment has shifted from Asia to the Middle East. But gone are the days where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE just import technology and talent - the new trend across the Middle East is how to create a home-grown technology startup ecosystem - and this is what we are going to cover in today’s podcast. Let’s face it - money is not going to be an issue - but as we have seen from other countries, just throwing money at the startup ecosystem is no guarantee that it will be successful. To help us go through this topic, we are joined by the Partner & Co-Founder of SparkLabs Group, Bernard Moon. SparkLabs has made a name for itself by launching accelerators and VC funds in Asia, Australia and the US, but now they are entering the Middle East market, so let’s see what has drawn SparkLabs to that region - and what Bernard thinks will be the critical success factors to making sure they get a return on their investments. Show Notes: 00:00 Intro to Bernard Moon and SparkLabs Group 02:30 SparkLabs new accelerator programs in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi 06:00 How does SparkLabs plan to find the “best of the best” startups in the Middle East 08:45 Do you see any similarities between the Middle East markets and other countries where you have had success with your accelerators (e.g. Korea, Taiwan)? And are there any specific opportunities and / or risks compared to the other markets you operate in? 14:30 What are the critical success factors for the Middle East markets to develop a home grown startup ecosystem? And what is the role of academia in creating this? 20:30 What does SparkLabs look for in startups that they want to invest in? And are there any red flags that you watch out for? 24:00 What will it take for SparkLabs to view their entry into the Middle East accelerator market a success? 26:00 What can countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE learn from other markets, like Singapore, that haven’t made the most of their investment / funding of their local startup ecosystem? 30:00 Why are startups keen to be involved with SparkLabs versus the many other accelerator programs in the market? 33:00 Last week, (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) on Nasdaq. Can you give us an overview of how this came about and what your strategy for the SPAC is? More information on SparkLabs can be found here: Contact Bernard directly: /episode/index/show/techburstasia/id/28337918

051: AI, CHATGPT & FLYING TAXIS: How Government-led initiatives drive the Middle East's Innovation Ecosystem 05/28/2023

050: RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? How the Middle East is driving technology innovation and spend 05/23/2023

048: Why RETURN TO THE OFFICE Strategies FAIL (Hint: FREE BEER is not enough) 10/24/2022

047: Driving INNOVATION and SUSTAINABILITY in the F&B Industry 09/27/2022

046: 2022 GADGET FIX: How APPLE's new SMARTPHONES & SMARTWATCH will impact the industry 09/18/2022

045: Beyond ESG: Why IMPACT INVESTING needs to be the NEXT BIG THING 07/11/2022

044: AR/VR and the METAVERSE: What's REAL and What's HYPE? 05/03/2022

044: AR/VR and the METAVERSE: What's REAL and What's HYPE? After a decade of struggling to live up to the hype, augmented reality and virtual reality are finally gaining traction in the B2C and B2B spaces. Today, we will sit down with Auggd’s Matthias Krampe to discuss the 3 main reasons for this. First, the technologies and ecosystems that support AR & VR have evolved considerably. Second, B2B customers are starting to understand how these technologies can be leveraged to deliver tangible business value through a variety of use cases. And third, they are intrinsically linked to the Metaverse, which has to be approaching the top of the hype curve. Whether you agree with Zuckerberg - and believe that we will all live and work in the metaverse - or whether you agree with NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway that the metaverse is “a giant flaming bag of sh*t”, one thing is for sure, the hype around the metaverse is driving the AR & VR industries But the question is, can this new found interest help AR & VR reach mass adoption? 01:30 Intro to Matthias and his augmented reality firm, Auggd 05:30 What types of AR industry solutions (e.g. construction) does Auggd create? 07:00 Glimpse Group - the AR / VR collective - acquired Auggd in 2021 08:00 Augmented reality has struggled for adoption. What has held it back from reaching its potential? 12:30 What are the key trends (industry trends, hardware and evolution, 5G, etc) driving the AR industry? And is the talent shortage holding the industry back? 16:30 What industries (construction, retail, training) are driving AR adoption? 18:45 How is the virtual reality industry progressing - and what trends are driving it? 21:30 How long will it be before we are having meetings in the metaverse? 30:30 On a scale from 1 to 10, how overhyped is the metaverse? 35:30 You have looked at hundreds of AR and VR solutions, what are some of the best - and worst - solutions you have seen? Auggd: The Glimpse Group: /episode/index/show/techburstasia/id/22985543