Miami, Florida(Hexa PR Wire–January 30, 2026)–Duane Varan joins The Michael Peres Podcast to discuss how media science, neurometrics, and generative AI are changing how video advertising is created and tested. Varan describes how early academic work, including research on how television affected communities in remote Pacific islands, shaped a long-term focus on measuring real audience response. He explains why he views traditional focus groups as limited and how methods such as EEG, eye tracking, and facial analysis are used to understand attention and emotional reaction more directly. Varan discusses the problems with concept testing in advertising and why generative AI changes the workflow by enabling faster iteration of complete creative executions rather than abstract concepts. He explains how MediaPET.ai was developed to incorporate measurement into the creative process and what it means to aim for ad performance comparable to premium campaigns. The conversation also covers operating in a fast-moving AI landscape, including how rapid model improvement affects product strategy and the pressure founders face when building in an environment where capabilities shift quickly.
About Duane Varan
Duane Varan is the CEO of MediaPET.ai, an AI video platform developed with media-science research intended to support high-impact advertising creation. MediaPET.ai integrates neurometric and behavioral measurement into ad development and supports workflows ranging from manual creative control to automated generation. Dr. Varan has received honors including the Australian Prime Minister’s Award for University Teacher of the Year and the Advertising Research Foundation’s Erwin Ephron Demystification Award.
About Michael Peres
Michael Peres (Mikey Peres) is a serial entrepreneur, software engineer, journalist, and author. He has founded media and technology ventures, holds degrees in computer science, mathematics, and Jewish studies, and is pursuing biomedical engineering. Peres founded Hexa PR Wire and serves as Chief Editor for several publications.
About The Michael Peres Podcast
The Michael Peres Podcast features conversations on science, technology, society, entrepreneurship, and current events, emphasizing clear reporting and practical insight.
Contact Information
Duane Varan: Email
