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191. Agency Life Unfiltered

Programmatic Digest

Release Date: 02/04/2026

From Data to Insight: How Curation Drives Smarter Optimization show art From Data to Insight: How Curation Drives Smarter Optimization

Programmatic Digest

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, From Data to Insight: How Curation Drives Smarter Optimization. #ProgrammaticAdvertising #Curation #AdTechEducation #MediaBuying #ProgrammaticTips  About our Partner:  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.

info_outline 193. Community, Confidence, and Career Growth in Programmatic, With Tiffany Wade show art 193. Community, Confidence, and Career Growth in Programmatic, With Tiffany Wade

Programmatic Digest

In this episode of Programmatic Digest, HĂ©lĂšne 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...

info_outline CTR vs Conversions Real Performance Examples show art CTR vs Conversions Real Performance Examples

Programmatic Digest

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: 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.

info_outline 192. Follow the Eyeballs: Integrated Media Planning + AI for programmatic Traders with Dominique Robinson show art 192. Follow the Eyeballs: Integrated Media Planning + AI for programmatic Traders with Dominique Robinson

Programmatic Digest

In this episode of Programmatic Digest, HĂ©lĂšne 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...

info_outline 191. Agency Life Unfiltered show art 191. Agency Life Unfiltered

Programmatic Digest

🎧 Summary: In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, HĂ©lĂšne 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...

info_outline Curation 101 in less than 3 mins show art Curation 101 in less than 3 mins

Programmatic Digest

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:     About our Partner:     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.  

info_outline 190. 2025 Recap, 2026 Roadmap: AI, Privacy, CTV, RMNs, and Supply Quality show art 190. 2025 Recap, 2026 Roadmap: AI, Privacy, CTV, RMNs, and Supply Quality

Programmatic Digest

Find YouTube link to watch here:    Shownotes Welcome to the first Programmatic Digest episode of 2026 with Ellen Parker and Manuela Cortez. This is a quick check-in, plus a trader-friendly breakdown of the biggest 2025 shifts and what to watch in 2026. We cover five trends from 2025 (AI everywhere, privacy and cookieless reality, CTV growth, RMNs going more programmatic, and supply quality/transparency). Then we close with three 2026 predictions: curation becoming “default infrastructure,” AI as a co-pilot (not autopilot), and multi-identity strategies becoming standard. This...

info_outline 189. How To Turn Curated Audience Into Insights with GDB show art 189. How To Turn Curated Audience Into Insights with GDB

Programmatic Digest

Preview of the Sell-Side Foundations for Traders workshop sponsored by !  Sign up to this FREE workshop:     Summary:  A fast, practical deep dive into how GDB redefined programmatic curation  from their early roots as a DSP to becoming an SSP focused on “Curation as a Service.” John Dittar and Felipe share how refining supply paths, removing low-quality inventory, and layering intelligence into deals leads to cleaner, smarter buying. They explain how curation powers stronger brand safety, reduces pre-fraud exposure, and replaces guesswork with predictable,...

info_outline 188. Past the Hype: How to Buy Smarter After TTD’s Reseller Update show art 188. Past the Hype: How to Buy Smarter After TTD’s Reseller Update

Programmatic Digest

A fast, practical deep dive into The Trade Desk’s move to label all SSPs as “resellers” — what that label actually means, why it has a bad rap, and where it’s fair vs. misleading. Gareth breaks down value-add resellers (e.g., unique widgets/placements) vs. pure pass-through reselling, explains OpenPath in plain English, and demystifies the Transaction ID debate: what it is, why TTD wants it, and how it impacts buy-side efficiency and supply transparency. We wrap with actionable steps for traders — how to pressure-test paths, when to go direct with publishers/PMPs, and how to...

info_outline 187. What Traders/Buyers Should Know About Publisher’s Ad Stack Relating To SPO with Jana Meron show art 187. What Traders/Buyers Should Know About Publisher’s Ad Stack Relating To SPO with Jana Meron

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...

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🎧 Summary:

In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, HĂ©lĂšne 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 FrequencyÂź 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 HĂ©lĂšne 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) – HĂ©lĂšne’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”

 

đŸ‘€ Meet Our Guest:

Alexa Fulmer – Programmatic Buyer & Inclusion Advocate
📎 Connect on LinkedIn

đŸ’» Meet The Team:

HĂ©lĂšne Parker – Chief Programmatic Coach
🌐 heleneparker.com
🔗 LinkedIn

Manuela Cortes – Co-Host, Programmatic Digest en Español
🔗 LinkedIn

 

🎓 Learn Programmatic: