Programmatic Rewired: Rethinking Supply, Curation and Efficiency with BRAVE's Alex Heng

In this episode of Life in Digital, Marnie Senior from Sphere sits down with Harry Charalambous, Director of Global Business Development at ConnectedIQ, which sits where CTV meets data intelligence.Harry talks about his career, from selling ads at Trinity Mirror to being one of the first hires at TripleLift and then advising start-ups across Europe. He explains how ConnectedIQ turns video metadata such as subtitles, emotion and logo detection into contextual signals that buyers can use, and how the business has grown from CTV into display and online video.The conversation covers why contextual curation can beat targeting specific shows or channels, and why the move from linear TV to CTV is “a crossfade, not a cliff edge”. Harry also looks at how CTV is becoming more automated and measurable, the risk of ad clutter ruining the viewing experience, and how AI and agentic buying are changing the agency landscape.Looking ahead, Marnie and Harry discuss why the industry isn’t innovating enough, what agencies and brands could do to make room for new partners, and what it takes to build a career in ad tech that lasts.Essential listening for anyone in ad tech, media agencies or brand marketing who wants to understand where CTV advertising is heading.

In this episode of Life in Digital, Ed Steer, CEO of Sphere, sits down with Lindsey Clay, CEO of Thinkbox, the marketing body for commercial TV in the UK.Lindsey shares the journey that led her to Thinkbox and explains why the organisation was created 20 years ago, how its role has changed since, and what its purpose is today. As TV has gone through a huge digital transformation, she reflects on how different the industry looks now, from broadcast schedules to streaming and on-demand viewing, and what “Total TV” really means.The conversation also looks at the fundamentals of effective advertising that don’t change, however fast technology moves, and the biggest misconceptions about advertising and media today. Lindsey talks about how Thinkbox champions TV, why it has been outspoken in its criticism of social media platforms, particularly Meta, and whether the UK’s move to restrict social media for under-16s can work in practice.Looking ahead, Ed and Lindsey discuss what TV could become in the next five to ten years, the big questions Thinkbox is working to answer now, and the one argument for TV that marketers most need to hear today.Essential listening for anyone in media owners, agencies or brand marketing who wants to understand where TV fits in a digital-first world.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Marnie Senior is joined by Andy Squire, Regional VP Sales EMEA at Brave Software, to explore how search advertising is evolving and why marketers need to rethink what search really means. Drawing on his experience across agencies, media buying and programmatic, Andy reflects on how the industry has changed from the early days of keyword-led search to today's privacy-first, AI-driven landscape. He also explains the appeal of Brave's approach to search and why the move away from tracking individuals could create new opportunities for advertisers.The conversation explores how AI is changing search behaviour, whether traditional search engines are losing ground, and why performance marketers should look beyond Google and Microsoft to reach audiences they may currently be missing. Marnie and Andy also discuss the value of search coverage, the difference between optimisation and genuine incremental growth, and how advertisers can measure performance without relying on traditional identity signals. Looking ahead, Andy shares his predictions for what search advertising could look like over the next five years.🎧 Tune in to discover why the future of search could be about much more than keywords and clicks, and what marketers stand to gain by looking beyond the familiar search landscape.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ryan Stewart is joined by Rob Linton, Chief Revenue Officer at MiQ, to explore the innovation shaping the future of AdTech. Rob begins by sharing his own career journey before discussing MiQ's latest developments, including Sigma, and the challenges advertisers are facing today. He explains how MiQ is working to solve these problems and help customers navigate an increasingly complex digital advertising landscape.The conversation also dives into the growing role of omnichannel advertising and AI, how these developments are changing the way brands plan and activate campaigns, and where the biggest opportunities lie. Looking ahead, Ryan and Rob consider what the industry could be talking about this time next year, from emerging technologies to the next big shifts in AdTech.🎧 Tune in to hear Rob's perspective on the innovations moving AdTech forward and what advertisers should be paying attention to next.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Holly Simpson is joined by Paul Squirrell, Managing Director of the MISSION Hubs network at The MISSION Group, to explore how the agency landscape is evolving and what the future holds for the industry. Drawing on three decades of experience, Paul shares his career journey and explains the role of MISSION Hubs in connecting an international network of agencies. He also discusses why international growth matters, whether agencies should be looking beyond their home markets, and how the traditional holding company model compares with the independent agency sector.The conversation explores the importance of people strategy, how AI is changing the way agencies work and deliver value, and whether it will ultimately replace parts of the agency model. Holly and Paul also unpack the ongoing debate around agency fees and remuneration, and what businesses need to rethink as technology changes client expectations. Looking ahead, Paul reflects on the biggest shifts he has witnessed throughout his career and shares his outlook on what comes next for agencies.Tune in for an honest look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of agencies, from global growth and talent to AI and the future of agency value.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Arthur Larrey, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Audion, to explore the company's expansion into the US and the opportunities shaping the future of digital audio. Having built Audion across six European markets, Arthur reflects on what it takes to enter a new market, from adapting the business and securing investor backing to building a local team while maintaining what made the company successful in Europe.The conversation also explores how Audion is using AI to raise the bar for audio advertising, why the channel has an opportunity to become a more measurable performance driver, and what the next three years could hold for the category. Arthur shares lessons from relocating to New York with his family, the realities of leading an international business through a major period of growth, and his advice for European founders looking to raise capital and make the move to America.🎧 Tune in for a founder's perspective on crossing markets, scaling with purpose and unlocking audio's next chapter.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Rob Hall, Founder of Parallel and previously Founder of Playground xyz, to explore how AI and digital twins could change the way advertisers understand their audiences. Rob introduces customer suitability, explaining how it goes beyond traditional brand safety and suitability to help brands connect with people in more meaningful ways. They also unpack resonance, why it matters to advertisers, and how understanding what genuinely connects with an audience can lead to more relevant advertising.The conversation dives into how digital twins of customers work, the simulations Parallel runs, and where this technology has already demonstrated value. Ed and Rob explore how this approach differs from contextual targeting, where it can add the most value across planning and activation, and how simulating people could make advertising more human rather than more automated. Rob also shares Parallel’s plans for growth and his vision for the future of audience intelligence.🎧 Tune in to discover how digital twins could help advertisers move beyond targeting profiles to better understand the people behind them.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ryan Stewart is joined by Alasdair Cross, VP of Sales at ROQAD, for a look at the forces shaping the future of AdTech. Drawing on nearly three decades in the industry, Alasdair reflects on what has kept digital advertising evolving and where the industry sits in its latest wave of disruption.The conversation explores the future of the Open Web as walled gardens continue to grow, whether AdTech has a trust and reputation problem, and what the industry must do to improve transparency and become a force for good. Ryan and Alasdair also discuss the human qualities needed to succeed in a rapidly changing landscape, from adapting to disruption to recognising where the next big opportunities lie.Looking ahead, Alasdair shares his predictions for the next major shift in digital advertising, what businesses should be doing to prepare, and the opportunities he would be most excited about if he were starting his career in AdTech today.Tune in for a conversation on industry disruption, rebuilding trust and what it will take to shape the next era of AdTech!

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ryan Stewart is joined by Alex Heng, Director of Demand Strategy & Partnerships at BRAVE, to explore the forces reshaping today's programmatic ecosystem. Alex shares his career journey and explains BRAVE's role in the supply chain as buyers and sellers navigate an increasingly complex market.The conversation dives into traffic shaping, why Supply Path Optimisation hasn't fully solved fragmentation, and how advertisers can find opportunities within an increasingly diverse ecosystem. Ryan and Alex also unpack the rise of curation as a go-to-market strategy for SSPs, the future of identity as privacy expectations evolve, and why bid fidelity is becoming increasingly important for campaign performance and supply chain efficiency.Looking ahead, Alex shares his perspective on where programmatic is heading over the next three to five years, the role BRAVE hopes to play in that evolution, and the developments he's most excited to see.🎧 Tune in for a conversation on smarter supply, evolving programmatic strategies and the future of the digital advertising ecosystem.

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Holly Simpson is joined by Gareth Clark, Managing Director at Gilroy, to explore how B2B marketing is evolving in the age of AI. Gareth shares his career journey and why developing the next generation of B2B marketers is becoming increasingly important as the skills, expectations and demands of the industry continue to change.The conversation explores how agencies and brands can better identify and develop future leaders, why agencies need to rethink their role in an AI-driven world, and the value of building a connected ecosystem rather than trying to do everything in-house. Holly and Gareth also discuss how changing search behaviour is reshaping brand discoverability, from traditional search engines to LLMs, and the practical steps marketers can take to ensure their brands are found.Looking ahead, Gareth shares his perspective on what makes a connected buying experience, why it can give B2B brands a competitive advantage, and the traits that will define successful organisations over the next five years.🎧 Tune in for a conversation on the future of B2B marketing, AI-powered discoverability and building brands and teams ready for what comes next.