Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 05/06/2026

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

Programmatic Digest

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...

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

Programmatic Digest

Sign up to our FREE workshop on March 31st: 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,...

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.

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

Programmatic Digest

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...

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.

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

Programmatic Digest

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...

191. Agency Life Unfiltered

Programmatic Digest

🎧 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...

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.

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...

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,...

More Episodes

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.

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👤 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-/

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