The Programmatic Digest

In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, host Helene Parker sits down with Jana Meron, programmatic veteran and sell-side expert, for a deep dive into how the buy side and sell side can finally bridge the gap. This episode serves as a preview of their upcoming joint workshop — The Sell-Side Programmatic Foundation for Buyers — designed to help traders, buyers, and ad ops professionals better understand how publishers, SSPs, and ad tech integrations actually work. Jana shares her fascinating career journey, from early media buying days to leading programmatic and data operations at Business Insider and The Washington Post. She brings her insider perspective on what really happens behind the publisher ad stack, the complexity of SSP integrations, and how demand path optimization (DPO) mirrors the buy-side's supply path optimization (SPO). Together, Helene and Jana explore: The disconnect between buy-side traders and sell-side ops teams How publisher ad stacks function behind the scenes The real meaning of SPO vs. DPO What "wrappers," "pre-bid," and "open bidding" actually mean in practice Why traders should collaborate directly with publishers (not just SSPs) How building relationships with publishers strengthens campaign results Why understanding the sell side helps buyers optimize smarter Whether you're a buyer, trader, or publisher, this conversation will transform how you see the other side of the programmatic equation — and why it's time to build more collaboration, transparency, and trust across the ecosystem. Sign up to this FREE workshop: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/sell-side-workshop 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 03:14 – Jana's Career Journey: From Media Buyer to Programmatic Leader 08:33 – How the Sell-Side Ad Stack Actually Works 13:22 – SPO vs. DPO: What's the Difference? 19:45 – What Buyers Need to Know About Publisher Integrations 25:08 – How Traders Can Communicate Directly with Publishers 30:41 – Building the Bridge Between Supply & Demand 36:28 – Why Collaboration and Education Are the Future of Ad Tech 40:55 – Workshop Preview: The Sell-Side Programmatic Foundation for Buyers 45:12 – Closing Thoughts & Sponsor Shoutout Meet Our Guest: Jana Meron – Programmatic & Data Consultant, Former VP at The Washington Post https://www.linkedin.com/in/janameron 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/channel/UCBGMMRsZkw0IIUbQIJmMBxw 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 Sign up to this FREE workshop: https://programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com/sell-side-workshop

Petri Kokkonen from Relevant Yield explains how his team helps publishers grow revenue through Demand Path Optimization (DPO), curation, and AI-driven decisioning.

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

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/

In this episode, we're joined by Augusto Romano, co-founder of Digo, and Anthony Gonzalez from JWP Connatix, to break down how smart video strategies and real partnerships are helping brands connect with the growing U.S. and Hispanic audience. Augusto shares how Digo was built to serve vibrant communities such as Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, and more through premium video content. Meanwhile, Anthony shows us how JWP Connatix powers this mission with advanced tech to deliver and monetize video content effectively. Together, they explain how viewer habits are shifting; everyone's watching more video and why publishers and advertisers need to keep up. The solution? Using tools like Private Marketplaces (PMPs) and Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs) to reach Hispanic audiences in brand-safe, culturally relevant ways. But the real secret sauce? Authenticity. Augusto and Anthony talk about why brands need to understand cultural nuances, not just demographics, to truly connect. By building long-term, genuine partnerships and embracing digital transformation, especially among Latin American and Spanish-language media, brands can unlock the full power of the Hispanic market. Tune in for an insider's look at what it takes to create meaningful connections and successful campaigns in today's video-first world. 🚨 New cohort kicks off next week! Just a few seats left in the Reach and Frequency™ program—designed for programmatic buyers and ad ops pros ready to optimize smarter and activate with confidence. Don't miss your chance to join this hands-on, expert-led experience. 👉 Secure your spot now: https://reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com/courses/program 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 🦄 NEW cohort starting next week: 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: (00:03) - Video Technology Partnership in Media (09:00) - Hispanic Audience Engagement Through Premium Partnerships (23:28) - Building Authentic Partnerships for Brand Engagement (36:10) - Direct Contact Information for Partners Meet Our Guest: Augusto Romano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustoromano/ Digo Hispanic Media: https://digohispanicmedia.com Anthony Gonsalves Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agonsalves/ JWP Connatix: https://connatix.com 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/

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Regular, CEO of Infolinks, to explore the evolving world of programmatic advertising and the rising importance of curation. Bob walks us through his journey in digital media—from the dial-up days to today's complex ad tech ecosystem—offering valuable insights along the way. We dive into how Supply Path Optimization (SPO) is playing a critical role in improving the connection between advertisers and publishers by enhancing media quality and eliminating unnecessary middlemen. Using the analogy of choosing the best billboard location, Bob explains how digital ad placement is just as strategic, with audience targeting and creative messaging being essential for success. We also touch on the often-overlooked challenges of inconsistent naming conventions and unclear attention metrics, and how curation and SPO can help simplify and improve the overall advertising experience. The conversation wraps up with a closer look at the differences between direct and reseller relationships in ad tech, and how SPO is shifting industry priorities. Bob shares key takeaways from recent training sessions with media holding companies, including the major reduction in non-value-adding players since the adoption of ads.txt. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of digital advertising and how we can build stronger, more transparent partnerships in the ecosystem. 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: (01:44) Evolution of Digital Media Industry (09:27) Publisher Placement Curation Strategy (15:07) Challenges in Ad Serving and Curation (25:18) The Complexity of Ad Tech Pathways (33:15) Perspectives on Premium Advertising Approach (38:12) Rebuilding Collaboration in Advertising Industry Meet Our Guest: Bob Regular https://www.linkedin.com/in/rregular/ Infolinks Media http://www.infolinks.com 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/

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/