In this episode of the *Programmatic Digest Podcast*, we hear the unique career journeys of Shannon Rudd and Allie Lichtenberg into adtech. Allie, who started in biology and chemistry, now runs her own programmatic media buying company, Ad Lucem. Shannon shares her experience moving from publishing to consulting for midsize publishers, showing how the ad tech world is always changing.   We also talk about important industry topics like privacy (specifically PETs) and diversity at tech conferences. Women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) representation matters, and we highlight the humor, support, and progress happening at these events.   The episode also dives into the hidden heroes of programmatic advertising, the "programmatic ninjas" in ad operations. We discuss new tools for brand safety and media trading, as well as insights from ad tech pioneer Brian O’Kelley on improving user experience. Plus, we look at how community-driven brands like Marketecture Live and Advance Women are shaping the future of the industry.     Special shoutout to our honorary mentions: Advance Women: https://advancewomenofficial.com/  Priti Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritip7/  Hollis Guerra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollisguerra/  Sophia Westrich:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiawestrich/   Melinda Han Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindahan/  Mike Hauptman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljhauptman/  ATG: https://www.adtechgod.com/  Admonster: https://www.admonsters.com/conferences-and-events/  Lynne D Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnedjohnson/   Advance Women: https://advancewomenofficial.com/  Priti Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritip7/  Hollis Guerra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollisguerra/  Sophia Westrich:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiawestrich/   Jeremy Bloom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypbloom/  Amelia Tran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliatran/  Ari Paparo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aripaparo/  Chris Luna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-luna-a85017b/  Rob Beeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertabeeler/  Melissa Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissashaychapman/   Brian O’Kelley: https://youtu.be/_kjfCrHvnGk?si=RM3IQpcXpAQXFCXx  Iesha White: https://youtu.be/2edt1xrHNdQ?si=cFS2eQfejKLW21mz  Albert Thompson: https://youtu.be/fd_zzQZx-PI?si=o1eI_IFuAtsFvFfp  Announcement   We have opened The Reach and Frequency MEMBERSHIP, exclusive to programmatic ninjas, adops, adtech unicorns looking for a community where we can learn freely and judgement free.  https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/executivemembership    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: Customized training roadmaps for teams focusing on campaign performance, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth. Request a sample training roadmap A hybrid model where we activate and train in DSPs. Book a Free Call   Programmatic Training & Coaching: Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here Waitlist for Future Workshops: Join Here  Timestamp: (00:02) - Programmatic Industry Insights From Mockitecture (14:39) - Privacy and Diversity in Tech Conferences (18:45) - Industry Diversity and Inclusion Discussion (31:52) - Ad Ops in Ad Tech (40:28) - Brand Safety and Ad Tech Innovations (46:59) - Evolution of Tech Industry Insights     Meet Our Guest: Allie Lichtenberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmottolalichtenberg/  Shannon Rudd https://www.linkedin.com/in/srudd/ Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach https://www.heleneparker.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ 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    Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/   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/     

Ann Tarasevich, the visionary leader of Access Marketplace, joins us to unravel the complexities of leadership in the ad tech world. With her rich experience at the intersection of academia and digital marketing, Ann takes us on a journey through Ukraine's evolving programmatic advertising landscape. Discover how her company’s innovative technology connects advertisers and publishers and gain insights into the programmatic SSP platform, all while understanding the dynamics between buy-side and sell-side players. Ann’s story is not just about technology; it's about her personal evolution and the allies who supported her rise in a male-dominated industry. The conversation takes a poignant turn as we spotlight the hurdles women encounter on their path to leadership in tech and ad tech. With only 25% of executive positions held by women, Ann shares personal anecdotes of being underestimated and facing pay disparities. We discuss the critical role of confidence, authenticity, and community support in overcoming stereotypes and advancing careers. Companies have a part to play too, by fostering environments that celebrate women’s achievements and invest in leadership training to bolster growth and self-confidence. It’s a candid dialogue on breaking barriers and seizing opportunities for women leaders. Empowerment and continuous learning are themes that resonate throughout our discussion. We highlight how fiction and insightful podcasts can shape leadership skills and bolster resilience. Ann emphasizes the importance of networks like the Women in Programmatic Network, inviting listeners to connect and share experiences. With a hint at her future plans of writing a book, Ann illustrates the power of staying connected within the community. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and a roadmap to leadership excellence for women in ad tech. Join Our Next FREE Workshop (March 27th): Sign Up Here  or below: https://www.heleneparker.com/freeworkshop/  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: Customized training roadmaps for teams focusing on campaign performance, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth. Request a sample training roadmap A hybrid model where we activate and train in DSPs. Book a Free Call   Programmatic Training & Coaching: Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here Waitlist for Future Workshops: Join Here Timestamp: (00:02) - Women in Leadership in Ad Tech (10:52) - Challenges and Growth for Women Leaders (20:53) - Continuous Learning and Personal Growth (30:59) - Connect With Women in Programmatic   Meet Our Guest: Ann Tarasewicz https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-tarasewicz-759200b3/   Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach Helene Parker Consulting LLC https://www.heleneparker.com/    Programmatic Media Experts | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/      Learn Programmatic  As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/  Programmatic Coaching Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6881736433963474944    Programmatic Digest  Youtube | LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest    Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  Manuela Cortes | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/    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/ 

Trailblazing Women in Ad Tech: Insights from StackAdapt Leaders In this episode, we welcome three inspiring women from StackAdapt who share their journeys and wisdom on navigating the ad tech industry with confidence and curiosity: Anna Grodecka-Grad, Senior Vice President of Global Client Services, discusses balancing technical expertise with strategic business acumen. Lydia Berlacher, Head of Commercial Strategy and Operations, reveals how she filters valuable insights amid distractions. Zeynep Akkalyoncu, Lead Data Scientist, explores how curiosity fuels interdisciplinary collaboration. Key Topics & Takeaways: Empowering Mentorship & Confidence Building (08:35): Anna and Zeynep reflect on mentors who saw their potential before they did, particularly female leaders who provided guidance and opportunities. The Power of Negotiation (17:51): A discussion on self-advocacy, knowing your worth, and strategic negotiation for career growth. Navigating Imposter Syndrome & Personal Growth (26:00): Lydia and Zeynep share strategies for overcoming self-doubt, building a support network, and continuous learning. Personal & Professional Development (32:12): How daily routines enhance focus and growth, plus the importance of setting goals and celebrating achievements. Practicing Gratitude & Self-Care (40:05): Recognizing the women who influence and uplift us, especially as International Women’s Day approaches. Join Our Next FREE Workshop (March 27th): Sign Up Here 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: Customized training roadmaps for teams focusing on campaign performance, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth. Request a sample training roadmap A hybrid model where we activate and train in DSPs. Book a Free Call Timestamped Breakdown: (00:02) Women in Ad Tech Leadership (08:35) Empowering Mentors and Confidence Building (17:51) The Power of Negotiation Skills (26:00) Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Personal Growth (32:12) Personal and Professional Development (36:05) Building Confidence and Achieving Success (40:05) Practicing Gratitude and Self-Care Connect with Our Guests: Anna Grodecka-Grad Zeynep Akkalyoncu Lydia Berlacher   Meet the Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach, Helene Parker Consulting LLC Website LinkedIn Manuela Cortes - Co-Host, Programmatic Digest in Español LinkedIn   Learn Programmatic: As a Team: Custom Training Workshops As an Individual: Online Course Newsletter: Join on LinkedIn Programmatic Digest: YouTube | LinkedIn   Programmatic Training & Coaching: Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access. Enroll Here Waitlist for Future Workshops: Join Here

Ever wondered how to truly connect with your audience and level up your marketing? In this episode, I sit down with Crystal Foote, CEO of Digital Culture Group, to talk about the power of targeted audience growth. Crystal shares her journey—from finding inspiration to taking action—and how she’s helping brands reach diverse audiences in a meaningful way.   We dive into why understanding different audience segments is key and why one-size-fits-all marketing just doesn’t cut it. Crystal and I chat about using AI and automation to improve targeting while avoiding the pitfalls of oversimplifying audiences. Plus, we explore the impact of smart audio advertising and how it helps brands speak to multicultural households in a more personal way.   We also get real about rejection and resilience in marketing. Crystal shares her take on staying strong, showing proof of your work, and bouncing back from setbacks. We touch on why diversity and representation matter—not just in advertising but in education too—and how seeing yourself in stories can be life-changing.   Crystal’s passion and dedication to inclusivity shine through in this episode, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their audience with authenticity and impact. Tune in for great insights, inspiring stories, and practical takeaways to transform your marketing approach! Sign up to our next FREE workshop on March 27th: https://www.heleneparker.com/freeworkshop    About Us: Our mission is to teach historically excluded people how to get started in programmatic media buying and find a dream job.  We do so by providing on-demand lessons via the Reach and Frequency® program (https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com ), a dope community with like-minded programmatic experts, and live free and paid group coaching.  We can help 2 ways:  Customized a training roadmap for teams of programmatic traders (https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/ ), adops, customer success, AMs, etc focusing on campaigns performance increase, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth overall  🌟Request a sample training roadmap❗️  Hybrid model where we activate and we train   Interested in training?  Book a Free Call (https://www.heleneparker.com/contact/) Timestamp: (00:03) - Empowering Growth Audience Targeting Strategies (10:11) - Diversifying Audience Targeting Strategies (17:39) - Enhancing Audience Insight and Engagement (23:21) - Optimizing Audience Insight and Engagement (33:48) - Overcoming Rejection and Finding Resilience (41:36) - Inspiring Diversity and Encouragement   Meet Our Guest: Crystal Foote https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-foote/  https://www.digitalculture.group/  Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach Helene Parker Consulting LLC https://www.heleneparker.com/    Programmatic Media Experts | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/      Learn Programmatic  As a TEAM: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/  As a Programmatic Ninja: https://www.heleneparker.com/course/  Programmatic Coaching Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6881736433963474944    Programmatic Digest  Youtube | LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest    Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  Manuela Cortes | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/  Did you know that I have a private membership community where we meet to learn and grow together? We do optimization bootcamps, reporting and analysis, hands on keyboard training with other fellow traders and adops? Get the details here: programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/membershipwaitlist Join our next training program by signing up to our waitlist below: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/live-training-waitlist?test=true 

Chelsey Walsh, a senior digital marketing leader with over 13 years of experience, shares insights on common pitfalls in media planning. She emphasizes the need to differentiate between measuring awareness and conversion ads. Awareness ads should focus on reach and impressions, while conversion metrics should be tied to sales and revenue. Chelsey explains how brands can leverage data models to assess awareness's impact on conversions, and discusses tools like GA4 and media mix modeling to enhance advertising effectiveness.

Albert Thompson, Managing Director of Digital Innovation at Walton Isaacson, shares his visionary insights on the future of programmatic advertising. He encourages the industry to embrace AI's potential to enhance creativity and efficiency. Thompson highlights the crucial need for ongoing training across all levels to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. He delves into the concept of 'agentic AI' and its capacity to transform brand storytelling and consumer engagement, emphasizing the necessity of measuring attention and innovating strategies for success.

Feel Free to Check out YouTube version here: https://youtu.be/fdUQVGYdS-0   Enroll to our Streamline, Optimize, and Report: Free 3-Part Workshop Series for Programmatic Ninjas In workshop #3, we are focusing on: - Translating data into words everyone on the team understand - writing an analysis Join this workshop if you are looking to get a straight answer for: ✅ Spending hours creating campaign reports that only scratch the surface, leaving you and your clients unsure of actionable next steps? ✅ Frustrated by the lack of clarity in identifying which campaign metrics actually matter for optimization and future planning Check out what workshop 3 will be all about in this 3mins video below and sign up! https://lnkd.in/gdwgn6sa This workshop is made possible and FREE To you thanks to the our 3 amazing sponsors Digital Culture Group, LLC, AdLib: DSP Advertising Made Easy, AtomicAds.   Workshop Highlights:  Workshop 1: Pre-Campaign Launch  📅 January 9, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min Master automation, seamless DSP setups, and avoid common QA and SPO errors.   Workshop 2: Campaign Optimization   📅 January 16, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min Optimize in 15 minutes or less and build confidence in targeting and strategy.   Workshop 3: Reporting & Analysis (preview here)  📅 January 23, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min Turn data into compelling stories and actionable insights for clients. Check out what workshop 3 will be all about in this 3mins message below and sign up here: https://programmaticdigest14822.activehosted.com/f/34   You can also find out more information about this on: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/3partworkshop    As always feel free to reach out to us with any questions or collab ideas:  https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/   Even though you get the recordings for this workshop whether you join live or not, we are always running workshops and this is the waitlist you want to sign on to avoid missing any future ones, including bonus training emailed: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/live-training-waitlist?test=true  programmatic #adtech

Feel Free to Check out YouTube version here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55qWDSYxrU Enroll to our Streamline, Optimize, and Report: Free 3-Part Workshop Series for Programmatic Ninjas In workshop #2, we are focusing on: - Defining optimization levers, as in the video - Understanding how to optimize if you only had 15 mins or less - Walking through a LIVE excel that look like your DSP report to help you navigate the data, thanks to our sponsor Digital Culture Group, LLC Join this workshop on Thursday January 16th, if you are looking to get a straight answer for: ✅ What do I look at to get started? ✅How Do I make changes? Check out what workshop 2 will be all about in this 3mins video below and sign up! https://lnkd.in/gdwgn6sa This workshop is made possible and FREE To you thanks to the our 3 amazing sponsors Digital Culture Group, LLC, AdLib: DSP Advertising Made Easy, AtomicAds.   Workshop Highlights:  Workshop 1: Pre-Campaign Launch  📅 January 9, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min Master automation, seamless DSP setups, and avoid common QA and SPO errors.   Workshop 2: Campaign Optimization (preview here)   📅 January 16, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min Optimize in 15 minutes or less and build confidence in targeting and strategy.   Workshop 3: Reporting & Analysis  📅 January 23, 2025 | 12 PM ET | 60-90 min T urn data into compelling stories and actionable insights for clients. Check out what workshop 1 will be all about in this 90 sec video below and sign up here: https://programmaticdigest14822.activehosted.com/f/34   You can also find out more information about this on: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/3partworkshop    As always feel free to reach out to us with any questions or collab ideas:  https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/   Even though you get the recordings for this workshop whether you join live or not, we are always running workshops and this is the waitlist you want to sign on to avoid missing any future ones, including bonus training emailed: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/live-training-waitlist?test=true  programmatic #adtech

Join Iesha White, founder of Multitudes Marketing, as she breaks down the complexities of digital advertising. Discover how pre-bid filters and private marketplace deals can optimize your strategies. Iesha dives into the pitfalls of these filters, highlighting issues like mismatched content categories and the effects of outdated data. She stresses the importance of thorough partner evaluation and communication for brand safety. This insightful session is packed with actionable tips to enhance your programmatic success!

Join us as Haley Wiaz, Group Director of Digital at Scale Marketing, delves into the intersection of traditional TV and digital programmatic advertising. She explains how brands can blend the broad reach of traditional ads with the precise targeting of digital streaming, maximizing campaign effectiveness. Haley shares insights on the power of premium content and direct partnerships, emphasizing the role of platforms like Hulu and Peacock alongside Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). She discusses how combining premium content with OEM inventory can enhance reach while keeping strategies streamlined. Finally, Haley offers best practices for CTV and OTT campaigns, highlighting the importance of brand safety, flexibility, and continuous testing for success.   About Us: Our mission is to teach historically excluded people how to get started in programmatic media buying and find a dream job.  We do so by providing on-demand lessons via the Reach and Frequency®program, a dope community with like-minded programmatic experts, and live free and paid group coaching.  We can help 2 ways:  Customized a training roadmap for teams of programmatic traders, adops, customer success, AMs, etc focusing on campaigns performance increase, cross-departmental communication, and revenue growth overall  🌟Request a sample training roadmap❗️  Hire people from our program mentioned above  Interested in training or hiring programmatic juniors? Book a Free Call Timestamp: (00:02) Traditional vs. Programmatic TV Strategy (11:06) Defining Premium Content and Direct Partnerships (19:16) CTV OTT Best Practices (26:16) Staying Curious in Programmatic Advertising New Reach and Frequency® program starting Soon! Sign Up Here: The 7 Weeks Live Program Learn How To Optimize  Your Programmatic Campaign in 15mins or Less https://www.reachandfrequency.live/pages/optimizationchecklist       Meet Our Guest: Haley Wiaz https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleywiaz/ Haley.Wiaz@scale-marketing.com   Meet The Team: Hélène Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach Helene Parker Consulting LLC   Programmatic Media Experts | LinkedIn     Learn Programmatic  As a TEAM As a Programmatic Ninja Programmatic Coaching Newsletter    Programmatic Digest  Youtube | LinkedIn | Instagram   Manuela Cortes - Co-Host  Programmatic Digest In Espanol  Manuela Cortes | LinkedIn Training Roadmap Sample Request: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_KIHlCzkkyKVbXlgXAdfbPXm7K3rCGAqoI_I7s1iev2jdIg/viewform?usp=sf_link    Join our next training program by signing up to our waitlist below: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/ Join Our Slack Channel for programmatic ninjas looking to level up and build a network: https://join.slack.com/t/theprogrammaticmeetup/shared_invite/zt-1nlaoighs-ES98OYwn67rkk1vqgC4i9Q