In this episode, the Media Buying Podcast hosts Jim Banks and Rob Adler welcome industry leaders Amanda Faris and Sara Malo of LinkUnite to unpack the biggest trends shaping the future of media buying and affiliate marketing events in 2026. The group reflects on Affiliate Summit and Lead Gen World, revealing how increased event costs, overlapping schedules, and a shift toward ROI-driven attendance are reshaping networking and business development.

Key Takeaways Include:

1. Event ROI & Attendance Trends: Discover why companies are sending smaller teams, how event organizers are adjusting, and what it means for the industry's future.
2. Relationship-Driven Networking: Learn how LinkUnite creates intimate, experiential events to foster meaningful connections—moving beyond business card exchanges to real conversations and partnerships.
3. AI in Media Buying: Explore practical AI applications for automating grunt work, prospecting, lead nurturing, and email copywriting. Hear how industry vets are using automation tools to free up time and boost workflow efficiency.
4. Industry Community & Long-Term Value: Find out how deep relationships in affiliate marketing translate to loyalty, trust, and mutual support across decades—benefiting both newcomers and veterans in their daily tasks.
5. Inclusive & Global Expansion: Get the inside track on LinkUnite’s 2026 event series across North America and plans for global outreach, including accessibility for women marketers from India, Israel, and beyond.

Episode Benefits for Media Buyers & Marketers:

1. Maximize the value of event attendance with proven networking strategies.
2. Stay ahead of new AI tools and automation best practices.
3. Build reliable, long-lasting business relationships to support your strategic goals.
4. Understand industry changes to better plan team deployments, event budgets, and partner outreach.

In this episode, you’ll get actionable insights on:

🔹 Meta & Google Q3 Financials

Get the inside scoop on Meta and Google’s latest quarterly reports—how increased ad revenue, AI investments, and tax policy are shaping their business models. The hosts break down what media buyers need to know and why it matters if you’re running Facebook or YouTube ad campaigns.

🔹 E-commerce & Real-Time Analytics

Discover how Shopify’s Black Friday live sales tracker gives a pulse on the global flow of transactions—perfect for e-commerce founders and digital marketers looking to time campaigns and understand trending buying cycles.

🔹 Media Buying Tools: From Lucky Orange to Klaviyo

Learn why tools like Lucky Orange and Hotjar are invaluable for uncovering site friction and boosting conversion rates. Plus, tips for using Klaviyo and other email platforms efficiently while managing costs.

🔹 Affiliate Strategies & Monetizing Every Lead

From leveraging short forms vs. long forms in lead gen to monetizing DQ (disqualified) traffic, Jim Banks and Rob Adler unpack smart ways to increase ROI—whether you’re an agency owner, e-commerce entrepreneur, or running local services.

🔹 Local Business Hacks: Turning Missed Calls into Revenue

Don’t waste leads! Hear practical advice for plumbers, HVAC companies, and other service-based businesses on how to partner locally and monetize leads outside your service area through affiliate deals and network collaborations.

This episode is packed with expert tips perfect for performance marketers, affiliate managers, digital agencies, and e-commerce founders eager to scale, optimize, and boost profitability. The insights will help you:

• Make smarter ad buying decisions based on platform trends
• Use analytics and automation to reduce friction and improve conversion rates
• Increase revenue by monetizing every customer touchpoint
• Build strategic local partnerships and strengthen your service business

Are you looking to transform your agency or in-house marketing team with cutting-edge programmatic advertising strategies?

Curious how AI in media buying is changing the landscape for independent digital agencies?

This episode dives deep with guest Mike Hauptman, founder of AdLib, as he shares actionable approaches for media buyers, ad tech specialists, and marketing agencies eager to elevate their campaign performance.

Learn how tools like AdLib offer DSP-agnostic programmatic access, empower mid-market agencies, and deliver game-changing transparency and scale.

Discover the evolution from faxed insertion orders to real-time bidding and how legacy systems can hinder growth compared to new, lean agency models leveraging API-first platforms and artificial intelligence.

You’ll also hear candid takes on client relationships, defining an Ideal Client Persona (ICP), navigating industry conferences, and the balance between automation and authentic strategy.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy marketer, agency leader, or digital media pro, this conversation is packed with practical tips, trends, and honest reflections that will help you future-proof your advertising strategies and client partnerships.

💡 Boost Your Agency’s Growth:

• Practical tips for finding scalable solutions and maximizing reach with programmatic ads
• How independent agencies can remain competitive—even against industry giants
• The real-world impact of AI on marketing automation and client interactions
• Strategies for building long-term, trust-based client relationships

🚀 Ready for more?

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