The Programmatic Digest

Direct from La Croisette, The Programmatic Digest lands at Cannes Lions 2025 to unpack the biggest stories, trends, and power players shaping the future of advertising. Join us as we interview industry leaders, innovators, and disruptors live from the Croisette—diving into everything from UCG to data privacy and the evolving programmatic landscape. Bite-sized insights. Big-league conversations. Fresh from the beach.

In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, we sit down with Heather Macaulay, President of MadTech, an AdTech consultancy transforming how teams approach data, integrations, and strategy. Heather shares her unexpected journey into ad tech—from Newbury Street project management to Pubmatic to founding MadTech—and the lessons she’s picked up along the way. We dive into what it really means to have a strong, scalable tech stack, the common mistakes advertisers make when choosing tools, and why platform connectivity is now mission-critical. Heather also breaks down how MadConnect, MadTech’s integration engine, is solving industry-wide challenges around data orchestration and interoperability. We also talk about early career growth, preparedness as a power move, and the importance of being a lifelong student. Plus, Heather shares how AI is shaping her workflow and offers tactical advice for making the most of tools like ChatGPT. If you're in your first few years in the industry—or managing a team that is—this episode is gold.     About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic Training & Coaching: Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership   Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course       Timestamps: (00:00) - Welcome & Guest Intro (01:49) - Heather’s Origin Story: From Literature to Ad Tech (04:28) - Events, Community, and Female-Forward Activations (06:28) - What MadTech Does: Product + Data Consultancy (07:26) - Solving Integration Challenges with MadConnect (08:55) - Advice for Newbies: Be Curious, Prepared & Over-Invest (11:47) - Tech Stack Talk: Common Gaps and Evaluation Strategy (15:18) - API Gaps & the Cost of Poor Connectivity (17:31) - Real-World Examples: Activating Audiences with MadConnect (20:35) - Emerging Trend: AI in Strategy, Sales & Workflow (25:03) - How to Use AI as a Junior Team Member (27:27) - Heather’s Tips for Prompting, Positioning & Product Copy (30:27) - Final Thoughts & Where to Connect     Meet Our Guest: Heather Macaulay – President, MadTech Connect on LinkedIn     Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/     Learn Programmatic: As a TEAM: heleneparker.com/workshop As a Programmatic Ninja: heleneparker.com/course Newsletter: heleneparker.com/newsletter Programmatic Digest LinkedIn YouTube  

In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, we talk with David Wiener, Director of Programmatic Media at a large agency group. He shares how he got started in programmatic as an intern at a small shop while studying at Hofstra and how he worked his way up through companies like Quotient to his current leadership role. David talks about how he stayed motivated during career changes and the challenges many face in this industry, like job stress and feeling stuck. We also talk about how to keep growing and knowing when it’s time to make a move. We then break down what makes campaigns work well. We explain why building strong partnerships with platforms like Pubmatic and OpenX matters. We also explain the difference between focusing on performance and focusing on brand goals—and when each one is more important depending on your campaign’s goal. Later, we talk about personal growth and the power of networking. I share how to keep learning at work and how to handle the guilt some feel when changing jobs. We also talk about favorite TV shows like Night Agent and Peaky Blinders. We end by thanking each other and reflecting on the great conversations this podcast brings. About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic L&D Support: A monthly retainer providing hands-on training, strategy, and troubleshooting for programmatic teams. Book a Discovery Call: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ Programmatic Training & Coaching: Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership   Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course     Timestamp: (00:02) - Programmatic Media Director on SPO Strategy (14:48) - Navigating Performance Marketing and Career Growth (24:51) - Career Growth and Personal Development (32:41) - Gratitude and Connection in Podcasting     Meet Our Guest: David Wiener  https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-wiener-169523121/ Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/    Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest     Looking for programmatic training/coaching?  Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course    Join our next workshop by signing up to our waitlist below:  https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/   

This is the third episode in a special 3-part series sponsored by Drako! Check out the YouTube Interview here:  https://youtube.com/live/fd_t1dFcxZM In this episode, we sit down with Giorgia Howell, Head of Managed Services at Drako, to break down the art and science of smart programmatic advertising. Whether you’re a newbie trader or learning how to manage client expectations better, this one’s packed with gold. Key Takeaways: Custom targeting is a game changer Use geo-targeting, competitive conquesting, and location data to find the right users in the right places. Don’t skip pre-campaign planning Understand your audience before hitting “go.” Market research, demographic insights, and clear campaign goals will make your optimizations easier. Campaigns need love at every stage Georgia walks us through before, during, and after campaign strategies using a real-world example: a nationwide Canadian campaign. Automation is your friend Move beyond manual work—Draco’s tools help simplify complex decisions. Talk to your clients! Clear communication and alignment on KPIs = smoother campaign execution and better results. Custom targeting and solid communication aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re the backbone of high-performing campaigns. Take the time to plan, optimize, and talk it out, and you’ll see real results. About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic L&D Support: A monthly retainer providing hands-on training, strategy, and troubleshooting for programmatic teams. Book a Discovery Call: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ Programmatic Training & Coaching: Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership    Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program   Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course   Timestamp: (00:01) - Welcome to the LinkedIN Live Podcast & guest intro (11:57) - Optimizing Ad Campaigns for Audience Targeting (18:06) - Advanced Audience Targeting Strategies (30:19) - Strategic Campaign Planning and Execution (36:32) - DraKo Team Appreciation and Update   Meet Our Guest: Giorgia Howe https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgia-howe/  Drako https://www.drakomediagroup.com/  Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/    Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest      Looking for programmatic training/coaching?  Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course  Join our next workshop by signing up to our waitlist below: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/   

This is the second episode in a special 3-part series sponsored by Drako! Check out the YouTube Interview here:  https://youtu.be/jXgKLxwVj44  In this episode, I talk with Natalia Ruelas from Drako about her journey from studying marketing in Canada to becoming an account manager in programmatic advertising. She shares how important it is to research and measure everything to help campaigns perform better. We discuss why small teams and good communication matter in this complex ad world. We also dive into campaign optimization. Natalia explains why it’s not enough to have a plan, you need SMEs that can adjust to real-world situations. We talk about: What does real-world flexibility in campaign planning look like? What are common mistakes with targeting and geofencing? How can you use data to improve campaign performance? Natalia also shares how a positive attitude can drive creativity and success. She encourages marketers to be honest with clients and work together openly. This episode is full of tips and fresh ideas to help you plan smarter and feel inspired. Stay tuned for more on data-first media planning and campaign measurement!   Sign up to the Live podcast Episode 178 via LinkedIN Live:  Audience First, Attribution Always: A Practical Workshop for Traders https://www.linkedin.com/events/audiencefirst-attributionalways7333313761019142144/theater/ About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic L&D Support: A monthly retainer providing hands-on training, strategy, and troubleshooting for programmatic teams. Book a Discovery Call: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ Programmatic Training & Coaching:   Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership      Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program     Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course   Timestamp: (00:02) Media Planning With Data-First Mindset (10:25) Optimizing Campaign Planning With Data (23:39) Effective Campaign Planning With Data Partners (36:51) Embracing the Superpower of Happiness     Meet Our Guest: Natalia Ruelas https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliaruelast/  Drako https://www.drakomediagroup.com/  Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/    Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest      Looking for programmatic training/coaching?  Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course  Join our next workshop by signing up to our waitlist below: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/   

This is the first episode in a special 3-part series sponsored by Drako! In this episode, I talk with Stewart Sullivan, CEO of Drako, about his journey from being a marketing student at Concordia University to leading a fast-growing programmatic data company. Stewart shares what it’s like to work in ad tech as a former trader and why it’s so important for media buyers and data partners to work closely together. You’ll learn how Drako grew from just reselling a DSP to building their own powerful location data tools that help solve real problems for advertisers. We talk about: How to choose the right data partner (and why it’s often confusing) The biggest myths about using custom data in campaigns Why location data is key for reaching the right audience and beating competitors How to use geo-targeting and data signals to improve campaign performance Stewart also gives great advice for marketers: Ask questions, dig into your data, and don’t just stick with what’s familiar. This episode is packed with tips for making smarter programmatic decisions — and it’s just the beginning. Stay tuned for parts 2 on Media Planning with a Data-First Mindset  and 3 on Data Measurement and Attribution of this special series with Drako.  Sign up to the Live podcast Episode 178 via LinkedIN Live:  Audience First, Attribution Always: A Practical Workshop for Traders https://www.linkedin.com/events/audiencefirst-attributionalways7333313761019142144/theater/ About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic L&D Support: A monthly retainer providing hands-on training, strategy, and troubleshooting for programmatic teams. Book a Discovery Call: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ Programmatic Training & Coaching:   Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership      Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program     Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course   Timestamp: (00:00) - Choosing Data Partners in Programmatic (07:48) - Choosing the Right Data Partner (17:05) - Optimizing Data Onboarding and Segmentation (26:16) - Customizing Data Signals for Campaign Success (37:54) - Customizing Data Segments for Success     Meet Our Guest: Stewart Sullivan https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartsullivan/  Drako  https://www.drakomediagroup.com/  Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ Learn Programmatic As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/ Programmatic Coaching Newsletter:https://www.heleneparker.com/newsletter/    Programmatic Digest https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest      Looking for programmatic training/coaching?  Sign up to our Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on within DSP(s) exercises, and real-time feedback—perfect for those who thrive on accountability and community, and looking to grow their technical skillset https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program  Self-Paced Course: Full access to course content anytime, allowing independent learners to study at their own speed with complete flexibility. https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/bundles/the-reach-frequency-full-course  Join our next workshop by signing up to our waitlist below: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/   

https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program What it is: A 4-week live accelerator for programmatic traders and ad ops pros who want to level up fast inside the DSP, using real campaigns and walkthroughs. Who it's for: Junior traders who want hands-on experience Client service or ad ops pros managing campaigns In-house marketers pivoting to programmatic Traditional Media Buyer What they’ll get: Weekly live DSP walkthroughs (recorded if they miss it) Campaign optimization using real examples (Bring your own or use our case studies) Slack channel access for Q&A and peer support Hélène’s personal feedback on one campaign setup or report Optional 1:1 onboarding call (first 15 signups) Price: $199/month for 3 months Cancel anytime – No commitment after July    Sign Up by emailing me at helene@heleneparker.com or https://buy.stripe.com/9B628k2KMeODgWZ7TD5ZC00 #programmatic  

In this discussion, Augusto Romano, co-founder of Digo, focuses on serving vibrant Hispanic communities through premium video content. Anthony Gonzalez from JWP Connatix shares insights on monetizing video effectively with advanced technology. They explore how brands can connect with the growing U.S. Hispanic audience by leveraging Private Marketplaces and Demand-Side Platforms. The key takeaway? Authenticity and cultural nuances are essential for meaningful engagement. Together, they reveal how genuine partnerships and digital transformation can unlock the Hispanic market's potential.

En este episodio hablamos con Álvaro Cuesta sobre cómo los publishers pueden optimizar sus estrategias de monetización a través del video. Álvaro comparte recomendaciones clave, incluyendo la elección de los mejores vendors de video, la importancia de revisar el archivo ads.txt y seleccionar partners estratégicos. Además, ofrece consejos tanto para publishers grandes como pequeños, destacando el valor de asistir a eventos de la industria, mejorar la oferta de producto y sumar video como un pilar central en la estrategia digital.

In a captivating discussion, Bob Regular, CEO of Infolinks and a veteran in programmatic advertising, shares insights from his extensive career. He emphasizes the rising significance of curation and Supply Path Optimization (SPO) in creating transparent advertising partnerships. Bob illustrates the complexities of digital ad placement, likening it to strategic billboard selection. He also addresses challenges like inconsistent metrics and the evolution of 'premium' in ad quality, encouraging deeper collaboration in the ever-changing digital ecosystem.