Infinite Possibilities

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Infinite possibilities (May 11, 2026)

BY ROB BEELER

The future is ours to define. That’s my takeaway from last week’s Beeler.Tech events, Navigator NYC and AI Publisher Response.


Here’s what you missed!

I don’t say that with a false sense of optimism. I’m not trying to cheerlead our way through what’s happening to publishing right now. It’s all hard work from here on out. But it’s hard work that we’ll do together. 

Our opening keynote for Navigator NYC, Justin Evans, spoke of the data you already have that’s gone untapped. Ovetta Sampson brought the house down to end the AI Publisher Response, calling it the publisher’s “AWS Moment.” 

Every discussion in between was people in our industry, plotting a path forward. It’s exciting to see people rally around ideas that can help their own careers, their department, and their companies. It was inspiring, and I thank everyone involved.

Now it’s time to share that energy: what conversations do we continue? What are you bringing back to the office? Let’s keep exploring what is possible.

Here’s the latest:

  • Metrics publishers prioritize may not drive revenue (new report from Playwire)
    For years, publishers have been told to obsess over CPMs, viewability, and time-on-site. But according to Playwire’s new report, State of Publisher Ad Revenue 2026: Insights and Opportunities, many of the industry’s most commonly discussed metrics are not actually the strongest predictors of publisher revenue.
  • What 18 years as an advertiser taught me that publishers can use today
    “After nearly two decades in agencies, I found myself increasingly fascinated by the technology reshaping the industry: the pipes, the signals, the infrastructure behind every impression. I also grew to appreciate what publishers do: connecting content to the right audiences and serving as one of the few remaining sources of trusted, credible information.”(By Shai Almagor of Kueez)

And here’s what’s popular with our community:

  • Anonymous publisher op-ed: Ad ops is where other people’s bad decisions become emergencies
    Ad ops is still treated in too many organizations like the place where work goes after the important thinking is done. The strategy happened already. The deal is closed. The client is excited. Leadership is happy. Sales is moving on to the next thing. And now here come the details. Here come the questions. Here come the constraints. Here comes the part where reality shows up and asks whether any of this can actually work.
  • Rob Beeler: Publishers, chasing revenue at all costs is costing you
    I’m not spoon-feeding you a premade playbook of guaranteed winners, and you shouldn’t trust anyone who says they can. What I’m trying to do is lay down some gauntlets for those of you in leadership, because it’s time to ask yourself if you’re willing to change the way you think about your business.
  • 44-Page Above the Fold Q1 2026 Report(Subscribers only)
    Teams are dealing with immediate revenue pressure, unstable traffic patterns, shifting buyer behavior, AI-fueled disruption, and growing demands on already strained operations. That tension is shaping decisions everywhere; in yield strategy, in staffing, in workflows, in audience development, and in the ongoing question of where publishers can still build durable leverage.By Rob Beeler of Beeler.Tech.

Want to get caught up on everything we’ve published? Start here.

Here’s what you need to know this week… 

  • We’re excited to announce Rory Latham of WPP is our first keynote for Navigator London next month on June 9, 2026! Navigator London is where publishers, ad tech pros, and industry leaders come together to focus on what’s working and where we go next. If you’re interested in joining us, let us know now.
  • Next Camp.Fire: Navigator NYC & AI Publisher Response Review/Analysis (May 19 at 12 p.m. Eastern)
    Camp.Fire is where publishers and partners come together to talk about the top topics within our community monthly. In this edition of Camp.Fire, we’ll come together to discuss the big takeaways and action items from Navigator NYC & AI Publisher Response. Camp.Fire is exclusive to our existing publisher and partner community. Join our community today.

A full list of our 2026 events we’re involved in, all in one nice little package:

Smile! This is some of our AI Publisher Response crowd. Thanks to everyone who made it a productive and useful day.

Cannes 2026 Calendar

Each year The Digital Voice creates a robust Cannes calendar. For those attending, worth a review. Get the Cannes calendar here!

Join the Community!

Thousands of professionals, of all ages, worldwide turn to Beeler.Tech as their meeting place for all things publisher revenue operations. Join the Beeler.Tech Community here! Your teams and colleagues are welcome, too. 

Join the Women’s Space

Our Women’s Space continues to grow, and we’re developing a Code of Conduct for all Beeler.Tech events: something every attendee will agree to, and something we hope the wider industry adopts. The goal is simple: raise the bar on respect and professionalism for everyone. We have a Slack channel and a WhatsApp group. The WhatsApp chat is more active, but you’re welcome in either (or both) if you want to be part of the conversation.

Please reach out to Melissa if you would like to join one or both.

Looking for your next opportunity? Know someone else that is?

Check out our job board. Also – sign up for our Jobs Newsletter (delivered every Thursday). Subscribe here.

Team.Beeler Out

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