A Q&A session with Lauri Baker from KERV
Get ready for a fresh take on video engagement! Join Lauri as she spills the tea on KERV’s tech, transforming ads from interruptions to seamless, shoppable experiences.
What exactly is KERV doing in the space and why is this important to our readers?
KERV is redefining how consumers interact with video content by transforming passive viewing into an active, engaging experience. Using our patented AI and image-recognition technology, we make every frame of video explorable and shoppable, allowing viewers to discover and interact with contextually relevant products in real-time, seamlessly integrating content, context and commerce. This is crucial for the advertising community because it creates a more immersive and frictionless viewing and commercial experience, driving deeper engagement and measurable outcomes for brands.
We’ve all wished we could buy that cool jacket straight from a movie scene—how close is KERV to making this dream a reality?
We’re here – it’s no longer a dream! With KERV’s technology, viewers can now pause or interact with a video or commercial and instantly shop the exact products they see on screen (or closest match, depending on the advertiser and product feed). Whether it’s that jacket from a movie or a piece of furniture in a show, KERV’s AI-powered solutions allow consumers to explore, engage, or purchase directly from video content—without interrupting the viewing experience. The future of seamless, shoppable entertainment is happening now.
What’s the most unexpected way KERV is transforming everyday video watching into an interactive adventure?
One of the most unexpected ways KERV is transforming video is by turning what used to be passive moments, like the pause screen, into interactive opportunities. Imagine pausing a video, and instead of a static screen (or ad), you’re presented with product details or recommendations tied to what you’re watching—whether it’s a shirt, a location, or even a song. This subtle integration of interactivity into natural viewing moments takes engagement to the next level.
For those who think ads are just interruptions, how is KERV turning that notion on its head?
KERV is changing the narrative by making ads a seamless part of the content experience rather than an interruption. Our technology allows brands to deliver contextually relevant and interactive content both within videos or via adjacent ad-podding, so ads feel more like an extension and enhancement of the story than a disruption. Viewers can now engage directly with products they’re interested in without feeling like their experience has been hijacked. It’s about making advertising feel less like an imposition and more like an invitation to explore.
If KERV could host a virtual dinner party with any historical figures, who would they invite to showcase their interactive tech, and why?
I would personally like to invite innovators like Amelia Earhart, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steve Jobs—all visionaries who broke barriers, just like KERV. Amelia for navigating uncharted territory, Leonardo for blending creativity with technology, and Steve Jobs for his mastery of user experience. We’d discuss how KERV’s AI-driven video tech transforms how people engage with content, and how these trailblazers would have used it to push their own groundbreaking work further.
Lauri, what was the moment that made you say, “I have to be part of KERV”?
For me, the ‘aha’ moment came when I saw KERV’s ability to merge content and commerce in a way that felt truly seamless. In a world where consumer attention is increasingly fragmented, KERV’s technology solves a real problem: how to engage viewers meaningfully while making the experience frictionless and outcomes-based. It was clear to me that KERV was pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in video advertising, and I knew I had to be part of that journey.
As the new SVP Head of Partnerships, what’s the most exciting project on your horizon that you can’t wait to dive into?
I’m most excited about KERV scaling its partnerships with major streaming platforms and global brands. There’s so much potential to further integrate our interactive tech across all forms of video content—whether it’s in streaming, social, or live TV—and to deliver personalized, shoppable experiences that change how audiences engage with brands. This is the future of video, and being at the forefront of that is incredibly exciting.
Lauri, if you could sum up your vision for KERV’s future collaborations in a movie title, what would it be and why?
I’d call it “The Matrix: Unlocked.” KERV is opening up new dimensions of interactivity that make viewers feel like they’re part of the content itself—like Neo exploring a world he didn’t know existed. Our collaborations are about unlocking the potential of video content to engage, inform, and empower consumers in ways they haven’t experienced before.
How does KERV make the advertising experience so engaging that viewers might actually look forward to commercials?
By making advertising content just as interactive and enjoyable as the shows or videos people are watching, KERV elevates the experience. Instead of being something viewers want to skip, ads become an opportunity to discover, engage, and shop the products they’re interested in—right at the moment. It’s not about interrupting the story, it’s about enhancing it. When done right, viewers don’t just tolerate ads—they lean into them.
If KERV could team up with any brand or influencer for the ultimate interactive experience, who would be on your wishlist? And why?
As a former Broadway performer, I can envision a streaming version of Hamilton where KERV transforms the experience into something truly interactive. As Lin-Manuel Miranda raps about history, viewers could click to explore the real figures and events behind each song or access behind-the-scenes content to see how the iconic scenes were crafted. For advertisers, this opens the door to contextual placements that enrich the experience rather than interrupt it—think period-inspired fashion, collections of historical books, or theater-themed decor, all seamlessly shoppable. This would enhance the cultural depth of Hamilton while authentically connecting brands with an engaged, passionate audience.
About KERV
KERV is an interactive video platform using AI to make video content shoppable and engaging. Our technology transforms each frame into an interactive experience, seamlessly connecting viewers with products and driving real results for brands.