Asaf Yanai

In your own words, what’s your role in the app business right now?

Creating a new playbook for the advertising sector. Moving away from the uncertainties of traditional A/B testing, Alison.ai adopts a strategic, data-driven approach to creative optimization and generation. This shift to evidence-based strategies maximizes creative performance that resonates with audiences more effectively and efficiently.

The platform delivers on average a notable 300% increase in ROAS, transforming intricate data into concrete, actionable strategies, including briefs, scripts and storyboards for ad creatives. Our users can easily gain the most value from their ad creatives while enhancing their effectiveness.

How did you end up working in apps? / get started?

The advertising landscape has been a part of me for the past 15 years. During my career, I learned the stakes for standing out are incredibly low, and many marketers find themselves trapped in a cycle of guesswork, best practices, and relying on A/B testing to gauge the performance of ad creatives.

This method, however, falls short of offering the depth of insight needed to pivot quickly and efficiently. The consequence is a financial drain for companies, particularly those investing heavily in digital advertising, as they struggle to pinpoint which creative elements resonate with their audience.

My vision for Alison.ai goes beyond surface-level analysis, offering actionable insights that drill down to the specifics — country, platform, channel, operating system, campaign, and ad set. This granular approach allows marketers to tailor their creative assets with unprecedented accuracy, ensuring they’re optimized for each unique audience segment.

What are you most excited about in apps right now?

I’m most excited about the convergence of AI, data analytics, and automation in the digital marketing space. At Alison.ai we’re leveraging these innovations to help businesses optimize their campaigns by analyzing data from past campaigns and competitors. This data-driven approach enables marketers to make real-time decisions that improve performance and drive ROI.

The ability to integrate cross-channel insights, and continually benchmark against competitors is a game-changer in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape. I believe that as AI continues to evolve, the potential to further optimize creatives and increase efficiency will reshape the digital marketing industry.

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out to who has influenced your journey in the app industry?

My parents co-founded BDI and are both passionate marketers. When I consulted marketing measurement metrics with them, I was surprised to learn that the same metrics utilized in the past are still being used today: A/B testing. My parents inspired and motivated me to challenge the convenience of the known and familiar and to embark on a mission to discover innovative, cutting-edge, newer approaches to maximize marketing strategies.

What’s in your app tech stack?

At Alison.ai, we’re at the forefront of video creative analysis, leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower your marketing efforts. Our core engine utilizes robust machine learning frameworks and computer vision libraries to dissect video features and identify trends with unparalleled accuracy. This massive data analysis is facilitated by powerful tools running on a secure and scalable cloud infrastructure.

For seamless client data management, we employ multi-tenant data pipelines, ensuring the highest level of security. Additionally, we’ve integrated state-of-the-art generative AI capabilities. This allows us to not just analyze existing content, but also generate creative variations, providing actionable insights that propel your video marketing campaigns to new heights.

What do you like most about working in apps?

What I love most about working in apps is the constant opportunity for innovation and the ability to drive real change in how businesses operate. In the world of digital marketing and AI, we have the power to help companies optimize their strategies, improve performance, and make data-driven decisions in real time.

The potential to leverage cutting-edge technology to solve complex challenges — like transforming raw data into actionable insights — is incredibly exciting. Every day, I’m focused on building solutions that not only enhance how businesses reach their customers but also revolutionize how they approach growth. It’s an exciting space to be in, with endless opportunities to create value and make a real impact.

What one thing would you change about the app industry/market? Where do you think there’s an opportunity for apps / or unmet needs?

If I could change one thing about the app industry, it would be the complexity of integrating data across multiple platforms and systems. There’s a real opportunity for apps to streamline this process, providing businesses with a unified, easy-to-use solution that aggregates and analyzes data from various sources — such as social media, ads, and CRM systems — without requiring technical expertise.

I see a significant unmet need for apps that not only offer insights from siloed data but also help businesses take immediate, actionable steps to improve performance. The industry is ripe for solutions that simplify cross-platform integration and empower non-technical users (like creative teams) to make smarter, data-driven decisions effortlessly and maximize ROI.

The real opportunity lies in creating intuitive, all-in-one tools that provide both powerful analysis and seamless execution, eliminating the barriers to effective creative optimization.

If you weren’t working in apps what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t building innovative apps, you’d probably find me behind the wheel of a racing car! I’ve always been fascinated by speed, strategy, and pushing the limits. It’s a passion that shares some similarities with building successful apps — both require a lot of planning, precision, and a thirst for continuous improvement. As I see it, both fields demand strategic thinking and the ability to react quickly in a high-pressure environment.

iOS or Android?

iOS, definitely.

What app(s) have been most useful to you over the last year?

Any Netflix/ TV show recommendations?

The Penguin.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

On a personal note, I thrive on innovation and problem-solving, with a deep passion for technology and its potential to drive positive change. Outside of my professional role, I’m someone who values personal growth and continuous learning — principles that align with the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the tech world.

I also enjoy staying active, whether through sports or other hobbies, as it helps me maintain a balance between my demanding career and personal well-being. Given my work in AI and digital marketing, I’m always curious about emerging technologies and love exploring new ideas and concepts. I believe in empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of innovation and creativity wherever I can.

Do you know someone driving change and growth in the app industry? Nominate an app leader here.