The optical illusion of the year proves that our eyes can deceive us
Platform 9¾ exists – sort of.
Edition of Sunday, November 8, 2026
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Advertisers Optimize Campaigns For Better Leads
Improve lead quality by teaching ad platforms which conversions become qualified opportunities and revenue.
UX & Research
Otherwise you’re just a machine
AI is getting better at design. Designers should too. The skills behind the work. I spend a lot of time looking at design work. Reviewing portfolios. Hiring designers. Working with design leaders, seniors and juniors. Sitting in critiques. Watching people…
Paid Traffic
Democrats Gain Control, Ad Tech Mergers May Slow
Why the midterms may not spell doom for ad tech consolidation. Plus, how sports leagues are putting ad revenue before player safety.
UX & Research
Nielsen Norman Group Explains Agent Harness
An agent harness manages a software loop between an AI model and its tools. Its context, permissions, and limits shape what users can do.
Paid Traffic
Swivel Develops Agentic Infrastructure For CTV Advertising
Agentic media buying is the No. 1 topic du jour in ad tech discussion circles. But how does agentic buying even work when it comes to buying TV and streaming ads? And how does that workflow differ from programmatic? The startup Swivel aims to address those…
UX & Research
After the AI bubble: a manifesto
Computers should be tools for the people but — hidden in a malaise of fatalism — the AI bubble has made computers tools to push people around. Soon, or in some time, this will change. We have some thoughts to share with you in the meantime. Morro Bay…
