In a recent episode of the Strategic Counsel by ForthRight Business podcast, Anthony Chiaravallo, Founder and CEO of Vallo Media, pulls back the curtain on the evolution of Google Ads, the rise of Performance Max campaigns, and the realities of using AI in digital marketing. The episode, titled “Are Google Ads Dead? Your Digital Performance Marketing Questions Answered”, is a must-listen for marketing leaders, performance media buyers, and brand strategists navigating the ever-changing ad landscape.

In a conversation that balances strategy with practical application, Chiaravallo dispels the myth that Google Ads are obsolete, instead making the case that the platforms—and the job of the media buyer—are simply evolving. With Google leaning heavily into AI-driven formats like Performance Max, he warns against blind automation without strategy.

“You don’t want to optimize to the lowest common denominator… Your brand has to stand for something. You have to have a unique point of view. And that’s where you’re going to see success,” said Chiaravallo during the episode.

Listeners will gain insights on:

• How AI is changing the media buyer’s role (and why that’s a good thing)
• What Performance Max campaigns actually do—and how to use them wisely
• Why clean data and strategic testing still reign supreme
• How to avoid blending in with generic, AI-generated marketing

Chiaravallo also emphasizes the long game of integrating brand and performance marketing, teasing his upcoming book Brand Powered Media, which will expand on this holistic approach to digital growth.

Listen to the full episode of Strategic Counsel by Forthright Business featuring Anthony Chiaravallo at this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/are-google-ads-dead-your-digital-performance-marketing/id1538045387?i=1000701645450 

About Anthony Chiaravallo

Anthony Chiaravallo is the founder and CEO of Vallo Media, a leading digital performance media agency that partners with clients ranging from venture-backed startups to Fortune 500 companies. With over 16 years of agency leadership experience, Anthony has developed and executed progressive integrated marketing, digital strategy, and paid media solutions that consistently drive exceptional ROI.

Anthony has placed over $100 million in paid media, crafting impactful campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Nike, Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, and Resorts World. His expertise spans a broad range of industries such as hospitality, gaming, retail, technology, beauty, and sports, offering services that include social, search, influencer media, mobile, and programmatic advertising.

As an award-winning thought leader, Anthony was recognized in PRWeek‘s 40 Under 40 for his professional excellence. His insights have been featured in Forbes, Mediapost, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and he is a sought-after speaker at industry events like SXSW and Digiday, where he shares his perspective on marketing trends, paid media, and performance analytics.