8: Agentic AI and the attention economy: Insights from Ryan Fleisch, head of product marketing for Adobe Real-Time CDP, and audience manager at Adobe

Ryan Fleisch is the head of product marketing for Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform (CDP), and audience manager at Adobe. He is also a recent first-time girl dad and Alan's go-to technology whisperer. Ryan has experience on both the agency and brand sides of digital marketing and has been with Adobe since 2014. His current role, coupled with his previous leadership roles in solution consulting, has allowed him to understand the technical nuances of marketing and advertising technology and the big-picture trends that are transforming the industry at large.  In today’s episode, Alan and Ryan reconnect for another interview at Adobe Summit 2025 to discuss Adobe’s new marketer-first data collaboration tools and what marketing professionals need to know to help them stay ahead of the curve. When it comes to winning impressions in the crowded attention economy, using data wisely is the difference between standing out and blending in with the thousands of ads consumers see daily. Ryan also explains how agentic AI can help marketers move from data synthesis to action, allowing them to scale their impact as individuals and departments.  Key quotes:  “Agentic AI doesn't just understand my business data. It actually understands my business processes and my goals” - Ryan Fleisch, head of product marketing for Adobe Real-Time CDP, and audience manager at Adobe  In this episode, you'll learn:  How to understand the attention economy   Why “clean sketches” may replace “clean rooms”  What agentic AI could mean for your marketing strategy   Key highlights:  [02:05] “The sleep deprivation is real.” [03:30] Ryan’s path to Adobe   [06:00] Understanding the attention economy  [08:25] The data tradeoff between scale and accuracy  [10:30] Launching Real-Time CDP evaluations   [11:30] Old “clean rooms” versus new “clean sketches”   [14:45] AI empowering humans to do what they do best  [16:40] Generative AI versus agentic AI  [20:10] Sorry Spock, Emotions Drive Business  [22:45] An experience that defines you: Don't fear the bunk bed  [25:30] Advice to your younger self: Look at the big picture   [27:05] A topic marketers need to learn more about: Agentic AI and physical art  [28:50] Subcultures to follow: Appreciate artists  [29:35] Largest opportunity or threat to marketers today: Pairing content with data  Resources mentioned:    Ryan Fleisch  Adobe  Adobe Real-Time CDP  Adobe Audience Manager  Announcement of new Adobe Real-Time CDP collaboration  Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify    Connect with Ryan Fleish and Adobe  Ryan Fleisch on LinkedIn  Adobe on X  Adobe on Instagram   Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads