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

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

• 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/