Season 7, Episode 33: An oral history of mobile user acquisition (with Nebojsa Radovic)

<p>On this week&#39;s episode of the podcast, I am joined by my friend <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nebojsaradovic/">Nebojsa Radovic</a>, the Senior Director of Mobile User Acquisition at Zynga and a battle-hardened mobile marketing veteran. In the course of our conversation, we discuss the evolution of mobile user acquisition from the era of manual campaign configuration to the contemporary operating environment of automated, AI-driven workflows. We reflect on how the industry has shifted from highly technical, high-headcount operations toward lean, specialist teams focused principally on creative optimization and signal engineering. Among other things, we cover:</p><ul><li>How AI-driven automation will permanently redefine the technical requirements for marketing roles</li><li>Whether the consolidation of major ad networks will eventually stifle innovation within independent mobile gaming studios</li><li>Why high-volume creative production has become the primary lever for performance in an algorithmic buying environment</li><li>If traditional media buying expertise is becoming obsolete in the face of sophisticated signal engineering strategies</li><li>What future organizational structures will look like as marketing teams become smaller and more specialized</li><li>When the industry will reach a saturation point regarding the effectiveness of cross-channel attribution models</li></ul><p>Thanks to the sponsors of this week’s episode of the Mobile Dev Memo podcast:</p><ul><li><a href="https://webshop.xsolla.com/home?utm_source=content-syndication&utm_medium=infuencer&utm_campaign=webshop2025&utm_content=MDMPod">⁠</a><a href="https://www.incrmntal.com/">⁠<strong>INCRMNTAL</strong>⁠⁠⁠</a>. True attribution measures incrementality, always on.</li><li><a href="https://www.branch.io/">⁠<strong>Branch</strong></a><a href="https://www.universalads.com/">⁠</a>. Branch is an AI-powered MMP, connecting every paid, owned, and organic touchpoint so growth teams can see exactly where to put their dollars to bring users in the door and keep them coming back</li></ul><p>Interested in sponsoring the Mobile Dev Memo podcast? Contact <a href="mailto:advertising@mobiledevmemo.com">Mobile Dev Memo advertising</a>.</p><p>The Mobile Dev Memo podcast is available on:</p><ul><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0RCsc3OW1p9jH5YC0qQTp0?si=jgSk98sURta7aWBpjkTpXg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGOpnB6JmAkPx