The Programmatic Digest

Helene Parker and Co-host: Manuela Cortes
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The Programmatic Digest, hosted by Helene Parker, is a 25-45 minutes weekly podcast rounding up fresh, top programmatic and digital headlines from our preferred digital media sources. It is also going to feature educational interviews with experts in the industry, like yourself.

  1. 196. AI Meets Programmatic: How Media Buyers Can Optimize with AI

    6 days ago

    196. AI Meets Programmatic: How Media Buyers Can Optimize with AI

    In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, Hélène Parker and Assetou Kone dive into the evolving role of AI in programmatic advertising and campaign optimization. The conversation explores how media buyers and traders can use tools like ChatGPT and Claude to streamline workflows, analyze campaign data more efficiently, and uncover deeper optimization insights. Hélène opens the session by reframing optimization as more than simple "bid up, bid down" tactics. Instead, she explains how successful optimization requires hypothesis testing, strategic thinking, and understanding how DSP algorithms redistribute spend based on performance signals. Using practical examples, she demonstrates how removing underperforming inventory can improve overall campaign efficiency by reallocating budget toward higher-performing placements. Assetou walks through the fundamentals traders need before introducing AI into their workflows, emphasizing the importance of understanding campaign objectives across awareness, consideration, conversion, and loyalty stages. She explains how campaign goals directly influence which metrics traders should prioritize and optimize toward. The heart of the workshop focuses on prompt engineering and practical AI usage. Assetou demonstrates how traders can use AI to analyze site lists, identify inefficient domains, generate allow/block lists, surface top-performing inventory, and extract geo-level insights tied to real-world audience behavior. She also highlights how combining AI-generated insights with industry knowledge creates stronger strategic recommendations for clients. Throughout the discussion, Hélène and Assetou address common fears around AI and job security, explaining why traders who learn how to leverage AI tools will become more valuable — not less. They close by discussing the future of agentic AI within DSPs and how automation can help traders spend less time buried in spreadsheets and more time focusing on strategy and insight generation.     🧠 About Us: We help historically excluded individuals break into programmatic media buying and land jobs they love. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, coaching, and community, we make learning programmatic clear, practical, and welcoming. Our mission is simple: DSP access and education should be for everyone, not just a few. That's why we teach new talent and support independent agencies and brands through my work at Infillion (MediaMath), helping more people access the MediaMath DSP. Join once, stay learning forever. Past workshops, paid gems, and every new recording + resource added as we go. This library isn't a one-time thing, it's the full vault plus all future trainings, recordings, and guides. Access it here: https://www.heleneparker.com/library     ⏱ Timestamps: • [00:00] – Welcome and workshop introduction • [03:45] – Why optimization is more than bid adjustments • [08:20] – Thinking like a scientist in programmatic optimization • [13:10] – Understanding awareness, consideration, and conversion KPIs • [19:30] – Optimization workflows and prioritization strategies • [25:00] – Introduction to AI prompt engineering for traders • [31:40] – Using ChatGPT and Claude for campaign analysis • [38:15] – Building allow lists and exclusion lists with AI • [44:50] – Geo insights and audience intelligence using AI • [50:20] – AI, automation, and the future of programmatic trading • [56:00] – Final thoughts and Q&A     👤 Meet Our Guest: Assetou Kone – Programmatic Marketing Specialist and Consultant Assetou Kone is a programmatic marketing expert with experience across multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals, retail, gaming, finance, and e-commerce. Her expertise focuses on campaign optimization, data analytics, audience strategy, and helping brands use AI-powered workflows to improve media buying efficiency and performance. 📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assetou-kone     💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/     🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Individual Buyers: https://heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://heleneparker.com/newsletter Be the first to find out about free programmatic training workshops: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/     📲 Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest

    28 min
  2. 195. From Cookies to Context: Rethinking Targeting in Ad Tech

    6 May

    195. From Cookies to Context: Rethinking Targeting in Ad Tech

    In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, Manuela Cortes sits down with Eric Tilbury, Head of Programmatic and Solutions Engineering at Anuvo, to discuss the evolution of ad tech and the industry's shift away from traditional identity-based targeting. With over 14 years in the space, Eric shares insights from his unique background working on both the supply side (monetization) and the buy side, explaining how balancing the needs of both publishers and advertisers has shaped his perspective on the ecosystem. The conversation highlights a major flaw in current programmatic practices: the over-reliance on fragmented user IDs, which Eric argues leads to low match rates and provides a massive "merry-go-round" for ad fraud. The heart of the discussion focuses on Anuvo's proprietary solution, the Intent Key. Eric explains why they chose to move away from tracking IDs to instead focus on modeling content and intent in real-time. By using language-based signals and custom intent models, advertisers can reach relevant audiences without the latency or privacy concerns associated with the "cookieless boogeyman". Manuela and Eric also dive into the complexities of CTV and in-app advertising. Eric shares why targeting based on geo-relevance (zip codes) and content genres is often more accurate than using unstable IPs or IDs, which he notes are only present in about 30% of CTV inventory. He stresses the importance of Supply Path Optimization (SPO) to ensure buyers are reaching real human audiences in high-impact environments rather than wasting budget on "refrigerator ads". They close the conversation with a look toward an "agentic future," where AI agents facilitate deeper strategic decisions, and Eric underscores the necessity for buyers to actively optimize their data points to ensure programmatic remains an effective, high-value channel.   🧠 About Us: We help historically excluded individuals break into programmatic media buying and land jobs they love. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, coaching, and community, we make learning programmatic clear, practical, and welcoming. Our mission is simple: DSP access and education should be for everyone, not just a few. That's why we teach new talent and support independent agencies and brands through my work at Infillion (MediaMath), helping more people access the MediaMath DSP. Join once, stay learning forever. Past workshops, paid gems, and every new recording + resource added as we go. This library isn't a one-time thing, it's the full vault plus all future trainings, recordings, and guides. Access it here: https://www.heleneparker.com/library  👤 Meet Our Guest: Eric Tilbury – Head of Programmatic and Solutions Engineering at Anuvo 📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tilbury-2a798932/   💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ 🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Individual Buyers: https://heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://heleneparker.com/newsletter Be the first to find out free programmatic training workshop: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/ 📲 Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest

    29 min

  3. 18 Mar

    194. Resilience in Ad Tech: What Agency Life Teaches Every Programmatic Trader

    Sign up to our FREE workshop on March 31st:  Optimization with AI for Programmatic Traders Site Lists + Geo Insights (DMA) — from Pivot Tables to Prompts In this episode of Programmatic Digest, Hélène Parker sits down with Assetou Kone, programmatic expert and consultant, for a real conversation about resilience in programmatic advertising and agency life. Assetou shares her journey into ad tech, from studying political science and mass communication to discovering programmatic during a digital marketing bootcamp. What started as a curiosity about digital media quickly became a career built on solving complex marketing problems across multiple verticals, including political campaigns, retail, e-commerce, banking, and pharmaceutical brands. The conversation dives into the softer skills that often determine long-term success in programmatic, including active listening, observation, and understanding the internal structure of the organisations you work within. Assetou explains why knowing how a company operates and who influences decisions can dramatically improve how traders execute campaigns and support client goals. Hélène and Assetou also unpack the reality of agency work, including burnout, under-resourced teams, and the pressure traders face when managing dozens of campaigns at once. They discuss why deep work is essential for campaign optimisation, insights, and meaningful reporting, and why many agencies underestimate the time required to generate true strategic value from programmatic data. The episode also explores what resilience actually looks like for traders and buyers, from documenting your work and protecting yourself with clear communication to learning from campaign mistakes and using those lessons to grow stronger in the role. They close the conversation with thoughts on the future of AI in programmatic, highlighting how automation could relieve traders of repetitive tasks while allowing them to focus on insights, strategy, and deeper analysis.   🧠 About Us: We help historically excluded individuals break into programmatic media buying and land jobs they love. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, coaching, and community, we make learning programmatic clear, practical, and welcoming. Our mission is simple: DSP access and education should be for everyone, not just a few. That's why we teach new talent and support independent agencies and brands through my work at Infillion (MediaMath), helping more people access the MediaMath DSP. Join once, stay learning forever. Past workshops, paid gems, and every new recording + resource added as we go. This library isn't a one-time thing, it's the full vault plus all future trainings, recordings, and guides.Access it here: https://heleneparker/com/library   ⏱ Timestamps: • [00:00] – Welcome and introduction to Assetou Kone • [04:20] – From political science to programmatic advertising • [09:15] – Why programmatic stood out during digital marketing training • [14:40] – The soft skills every trader needs: observation and active listening • [20:30] – Understanding organisational structure and client vision • [27:10] – Agency realities: burnout, campaign overload, and team structure • [35:20] – Deep work in programmatic: optimisation, insights, and reporting • [42:00] – Learning from mistakes and building trader resilience • [49:15] – Documentation, communication, and protecting your work • [54:30] – The future of AI in programmatic workflows SIGN UP TO OUR FREE WORKSHOP HERE: https://www.heleneparker.com/liveworkshop/ 👤 Meet Our Guest: Assetou Kone – Programmatic Marketing Specialist and Consultant Assetou Kone is a programmatic marketing expert with experience across multiple industries, including political campaigns, retail, finance, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce. Her work focuses on campaign optimisation, data-driven insights, and helping brands deliver the right message to the right audience through programmatic media. 📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assetou-kone   💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ 🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Individual Buyers: https://heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://heleneparker.com/newsletter Be the first to find out free programmatic training workshop: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/ 📲 Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest

    34 min
  4. Community, Confidence, and Career Growth in Programmatic, With Tiffany Wade

    25 Feb

    Community, Confidence, and Career Growth in Programmatic, With Tiffany Wade

    In this episode of Programmatic Digest, Hélène sits down with Tiffany Wade, Media Director at Hunter Blue, for a grounded conversation on community building, mentorship, and leadership as a woman in programmatic and ad tech. Tiffany shares her path into media, from a psychology background and early career pivots to finding her footing through curiosity, asking better questions, and building relationships that opened doors. They talk about what it feels like to be "the only one" in the room, how to stay brave while navigating discomfort, and why finding your community matters, even if you have to build it or move toward it. The conversation also breaks down what mentorship really is, how to approach mentors with clarity, and why mentorship is a two-way exchange. Tiffany explains her servant-leadership approach to mentoring, how she helps mentees get self-aware about their goals, and why networks, resources, and honest feedback can accelerate growth. They close with encouragement for anyone feeling drained by work and life pressures, and Tiffany's reminder to protect your peace by understanding what actually replenishes you, not what self-care is "supposed" to look like. 🧠 About Us: We help historically excluded individuals break into programmatic media buying and land jobs they love. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, coaching, and community, we make learning programmatic clear, practical, and welcoming. Our mission is simple: DSP access and education should be for everyone, not just a few. That's why we teach new talent and support independent agencies and brands through my work at Infillion (MediaMath), helping more people access the MediaMath DSP. Join once, stay learning forever. Past workshops, paid gems, and every new recording + resource added as we go. This library isn't a one-time thing, it's the full vault plus all future trainings, recordings, and guides. Access it here: https://heleneparker/com/library ⏱ Timestamps: • [00:00] – Welcome and why Tiffany's story matters right now • [04:30] – From "future lawyer" to psychology to media • [10:45] – Breaking into marketing, early career fear, and learning on the job • [16:20] – Curiosity + intention: the career growth combo • [22:10] – Being the only one in the room, and choosing bravery • [28:40] – Mentorship that changes careers, how it starts and how it grows • [36:10] – Paying it forward: mentoring 35+ professionals, what she learned back • [43:50] – What makes a good mentor, and how to pick one for your goals • [50:30] – Communities to join: NAMIC, She Runs It, and more • [57:40] – Protecting your peace, staying grounded, and remembering your why 👤 Meet Our Guest: Tiffany Wade – Media Director at Hunter Blue 📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-wade/ 💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-parker/ Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuela-cortes-/ 🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Individual Buyers: https://heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://heleneparker.com/newsletter Be the first to find out free programmatic training workshop: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/ 📲 Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/programmatic-digest-podcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@programmaticdigest #ProgrammaticAdvertising #AdTechCareers #Mentorship #WomenInAdTech #Leadership

    37 min

  5. 25 Feb

    CTR vs Conversions Real Performance Examples

    Our Let's Talk Curation series was created in partnership with GDB, our curated data partner, to help demystify curated audiences, what they are, how they work, and when and why you should consider using them. Check out this lesson on CTR vs Conversions real performance examples.  #ProgrammaticAdvertising #Curation #AdTechEducation #MediaBuying #ProgrammaticTips About our Partner: https://f.mtr.cool/ulwuqldzqt GDB is a curated audience data partner focused on combining quality inventory and audience signals to support smarter testing and cleaner measurement in programmatic campaigns.

    8 min
  6. Follow the Eyeballs: Integrated Media Planning + AI for programmatic Traders with Dominique Robinson

    12 Feb

    Follow the Eyeballs: Integrated Media Planning + AI for programmatic Traders with Dominique Robinson

    In this episode of Programmatic Digest, Hélène sits down with Dominique Robinson, an integrated media planner at Luquire, for an insightful conversation on how media planning is evolving in today's programmatic-first world. Dominique shares his personal journey into advertising, from early inspiration through marketing and design to building integrated media strategies that blend traditional channels like broadcast with digital and programmatic media across streaming, social, and online platforms. Together, they break down what "integrated media planning" really looks like inside an agency — including how teams collaborate across departments, develop strategic client briefs, define audiences, and build media plans that align with both business goals and consumer behavior. Dominique also explains how tools like Resonate help planners create detailed audience profiles and uncover where target consumers are most engaged — supporting the philosophy of truly "following the eyeballs" across channels. The episode wraps with a thoughtful discussion on the role of AI in advertising, how teams are using tools like ChatGPT for idea generation and validation, and why human expertise and foundational planning skills remain critical as the industry shifts toward automation. ✨ And don't miss the YouTube vodcast version of this episode, where Hélène shares a live demo of the agentic DSP technology mentioned in the conversation — showing what the future of AI-powered media buying could look like in practice.       🧠 About Us: We help historically excluded individuals break into programmatic media buying and land jobs they love. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, coaching, and community, we make learning programmatic clear, practical, and welcoming.  Our mission is simple: DSP access and education should be for everyone, not just a few. That's why we teach new talent and support independent agencies and brands through my work at Infillion (MediaMath), helping more people access the MediaMath DSP. Join once, stay learning forever. Past workshops, paid gems, and every new recording + resource added as we go.  This library isn't a one-time thing — it's the full vault plus all future trainings, recordings, and guides.  Access it here: heleneparker/com/library     ⏱ Timestamps: • [00:00] – Guest introduction and career origins. • [07:45] – Defining integrated media planning and channel management. • [11:50] – The strategy mindset: Case study on travel and tourism goals. • [19:40] – Audience research using the Resonate tool. • [25:35] – The "full-frontal" approach to planning and reporting. • [36:20] – Leveraging AI and ChatGPT for plan validation. • [43:00] – Agentic AI with the Infillion platform and streamlining the trader workflow. • [47:15] – The impact of AI on junior talent and fundamental knowledge. • [53:10] – Closing wisdom: "You are your greatest resource".     👤 Meet Our Guest: Dominique Robinson – Integrated Media Supervisor at Luquire 📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquelamontrobinson/      💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn     🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Individual Buyers: heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: heleneparker.com/newsletter Be the first to find out free programmatic training workshop: https://www.heleneparker.com/waitlist/     📲 Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn ▶️ YouTube

    45 min

  7. 4 Feb

    191. Agency Life Unfiltered

    🎧 Summary: In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, Hélène sits down with Alexa Fulmer, a seasoned programmatic buyer and advocate for inclusion, to discuss what it's really like navigating agency life as a gay woman of colour. From microaggressions and being the only person of colour in the room to building confidence and community, Alexa shares her story with vulnerability, insight, and strength. They unpack how authenticity in the workplace often comes at a cost, the emotional labour tied to identity, and why representation matters—especially in leadership. Alexa also reflects on her early career decisions, the pressure to conform, and how she now leads with empathy and purpose. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about inclusion, equity, or simply trying to show up fully in their career.     🧠 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: Executive Membership – For mid- to senior-level programmatic pros seeking ongoing growth Join here Accelerator Program – 6-week intensive training with live coaching Sign up Self-Paced Course – Learn at your own speed Enroll here     ⏱ Timestamps: (00:00) – Welcome & how Hélène and Alexa connected (02:17) – Alexa's path from hospitality to programmatic media (06:28) – Publicis, programmatic vs. digital, and career pivots (09:15) – Diversity at big vs. small agencies in the US & UK (13:02) – Launching (and losing) a DEI newsletter (17:35) – Microaggressions: "Can I touch your hair?" moments (22:41) – Hélène's story on being erased in client meetings (27:15) – Allyship, proximity, and true support (30:55) – Communities to join: Our Third Place, TWIP, Sisters in Sales (35:10) – Authenticity in corporate culture: what it costs (40:27) – Advice to early career professionals: "Feel the fear and do it anyway"   👤 Meet Our Guest: Alexa Fulmer – Programmatic Buyer & Inclusion Advocate 📎 Connect on LinkedIn 💻 Meet The Team: Hélène Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach 🌐 heleneparker.com 🔗 LinkedIn Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español 🔗 LinkedIn   🎓 Learn Programmatic: For Teams: heleneparker.com/workshop For Individual Buyers: heleneparker.com/library Subscribe to the Newsletter: heleneparker.com/newsletter

    41 min

  8. 3 Feb ·  Video

    Curation 101 in less than 3 mins

    Our Let's Talk Curation series was created in partnership with GDB, our curated data partner, to help demystify curated audiences, what they are, how they work, and when and why you should consider using them. Check out this lesson on Curation 101.    Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wJam0Sa9q4     About our Partner: https://www.gdb.net    GDB is a curated audience data partner focused on combining quality inventory and audience signals to support smarter testing and cleaner measurement in programmatic campaigns.   #ProgrammaticAdvertising #Curation #AdTechEducation #MediaBuying #ProgrammaticTips

    3 min
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Programmatic Digest, hosted by Helene Parker, is a 25-45 minutes weekly podcast rounding up fresh, top programmatic and digital headlines from our preferred digital media sources. It is also going to feature educational interviews with experts in the industry, like yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Helene Parker and Co-host: Manuela Cortes
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Helene Parker Consulting LLC 2019-2025
  • Show Website
    The Programmatic Digest

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