Life in Digital

Sphere Digital Recruitment

Change is inevitable and sometimes that change is accelerated. Each month, we speak to leaders in the digital sector about their experiences, and how their businesses are navigating the digital sector.

Brought to you by Sphere Digital Recruitment

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Yesterday · 24 min
Marketing in Motion: How Community Is Changing Brand Partnerships with Strava's Jennifer Starr
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter is joined by Jen Starr, Director of North America at Strava for Business, to explore how brands can build meaningful connections through community. Drawing on her experience across BuzzFeed, Nextdoor and Strava, Jen shares how her approach to community has evolved and what makes Strava’s active audience such a unique opportunity for advertisers. The conversation explores how Strava is opening up new opportunities for brand partnerships, from creating campaigns that resonate with its community to turning everyday movement into meaningful engagement. Jen shares what makes a successful sponsored challenge, how brands can become part of people’s routines rather than interrupt them, and which industries are finding new opportunities on the platform. Daniel and Jen also discuss the lessons that have shaped her leadership approach, the importance of community in the fitness and wellness space, and what the future holds for brands looking to connect with audiences through shared passions. 🎧 Tune in for a conversation about community-led marketing, creative brand partnerships and the power of connecting with people through what they love.
Tuesday · 16 min
The She Suite: From First Employee to CMO, The Power of Mentorship with Hester Bates
In this episode of The She Suite, host Sonia Atwal is joined by Hester Bates, CMO at True Rights, to explore her career journey from being Influencer’s first employee to becoming a CMO and leading marketing at True Rights. Hester reflects on how growing with a business from its earliest stages shaped her approach to leadership, as well as the lessons she has carried throughout her career. Hester shares what she has learned from both being mentored and mentoring others through initiatives such as Girls in Marketing, the advice that has stayed with her, and why some of her most influential managers have been men. Sonia and Hester also discuss what meaningful allyship looks like in practice and how leaders can better support and champion women in the workplace. The conversation also explores Hester’s experience as a female leader at board level, the progress still needed around representation and inclusion, and the advice she wishes she could give her younger self. Tune in for an honest conversation about mentorship, allyship and what it really means to build a career and lead with purpose.
September 24 · 28 min
Buying Smarter: How AI Is Reshaping Programmatic with OpenX's Stacey Bohrer
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter is joined by Stacey Bohrer, SVP Global Buyer Development at OpenX, to explore how programmatic is evolving around the needs of modern media buyers. Stacey shares her perspective on OpenX today, the changing expectations of buyers and partners, and the challenges facing the industry as technology continues to move at pace. The conversation dives into OpenXBuild and OpenX IQ, exploring how OpenX is developing new tools to help buyers make smarter decisions and navigate an increasingly complex programmatic landscape. Daniel and Stacey also unpack where AI is delivering genuine value for media buyers, where the industry may be getting ahead of itself, and what buyers are really looking for from their technology partners. Stacey also shares her approach to leadership and building high-performing teams in a fast-moving industry, before looking ahead to what she hopes will change across OpenX, its customers and the wider programmatic ecosystem over the next year. Tune in for a conversation on smarter buying, practical AI and the future of programmatic.
September 22 · 19 min
The She Suite: Embracing the Squiggly Path to Leadership with Lauren Berkemeyer
In this episode of The She Suite, host Sonia Atwal is joined by Lauren Berkemeyer, CMO at YuLife, for a conversation about building a career without following a traditional path. Lauren reflects on her journey across high-growth brands, startups and scale-ups, sharing what has guided her decisions and why embracing a “squiggly career” has opened up unexpected opportunities. Lauren also discusses making the move from New York to London, building a career in a new market and the lessons she’s learned from working in entrepreneurial environments. The conversation explores the challenges of taking brands international, adapting to fast-growth environments and building marketing strategies that can scale. Sonia and Lauren also dive into female leadership, navigating moments that challenge your confidence and what effective leadership looks like today. Lauren shares advice for anyone considering a less obvious career path, taking risks and making choices that could shape their next chapter. Tune in for an honest conversation about career curves, taking risks and finding your own path to leadership!
September 17 · 34 min
Audio Advantage: Shaping the Next Era of Programmatic Audio with Soundcast’s Violaine Cabrol
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter is joined by Violaine Cabrol, US Managing Director at Soundcast, to explore the evolution of digital audio and the opportunities shaping the next era of programmatic advertising. Violaine shares her career journey into AdTech and audio, as well as how SoundCast is helping publishers and advertisers navigate the unique challenges of the audio ecosystem. The conversation explores the changing SSP landscape, the shift from buying on pure scale and reach towards quality, curation and intent, and why audio requires a different approach to technology and measurement. Daniel and Violaine also discuss the differences between the US and European markets, the importance of local insight when scaling internationally, and why high-touch client service remains central to Soundcast's approach. They also dive into the role of AI in audio advertising, from automating processes and identifying patterns to why human judgement and relationships still matter. Finally, Violaine looks at the growth of digital audio, the challenges around fragmentation and measurement, and what needs to happen for the channel to realise its full potential. Tune in now for a conversation on the evolution of digital audio, smarter programmatic buying and what comes next for the industry!
September 10 · 26 min
Measurement Rebuilt: Navigating Fragmentation, Scale and AI with Happydemics' Michael Isaacs-Olaye
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Marnie Senior is joined by Michael Isaacs-Olaye, VP of Sales & Partnerships at happydemics to explore how marketing measurement is evolving in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Michael shares his career journey and the work Happydemics is doing to help marketers understand campaign effectiveness across channels, audiences and markets. The conversation explores the challenges of omnichannel measurement, the importance of measuring campaigns at scale, and whether the industry is moving towards a more unified view of performance. Marnie and Michael also discuss where AI is delivering genuine value in measurement and insights, the lessons Happydemics has learned from international expansion, and how marketers can balance global consistency with local audience understanding. Looking ahead, Michael shares his perspective on the next three to five years of marketing measurement and the key things marketers should be doing now to prepare for what comes next. Tune in for a conversation on smarter measurement, practical AI and the future of omnichannel marketing.
September 8 · 17 min
The She Suite: Chasing Growth, Taking Risks and Making Moves with Hannah Baker
In this episode of The She Suite, host Sonia Atwal is joined by Hannah Baker, CMO of Brave Bison, for an honest conversation about career growth, taking risks, and building a career around opportunity. Hannah reflects on making an international move early in her career, the decisions that accelerated her progression, and the mindset and skills that have helped her rise through the ranks. The conversation also explores Hannah’s experience marketing multiple agencies within a growing group, from building distinct identities to repositioning acquired businesses for growth. Sonia and Hannah discuss the realities of balancing high levels of professional responsibility with major personal milestones, the lessons that come from operating at pace, and why taking calculated risks can be so important early in your career. Tune in for an honest look at fast-tracking your career, embracing opportunity, and navigating the highs and challenges that come with it.
August 25 · 32 min
Tech by Design: Powering the Modern Agency with Ben Foster
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Holly Simpson is joined by Ben Foster, COO at The Kite Factory, to explore how technology is reshaping the modern media agency. Ben shares his career journey and the thinking behind The Kite Factory’s investment in proprietary tools, including how they were built to solve real operational and client challenges and how they’re changing the way teams work day-to-day. The conversation also looks at how agency expectations are evolving, from changing client demands and new hybrid skill sets to the growing pressure around new business pitches. Holly and Ben discuss whether the traditional pitching model is still fit for purpose and what the agencies that succeed in the next era of media and marketing will need to do differently. Tune in to stay up to date about how technology is being used to power today’s leading agencies.
July 27 · 24 min
Programmatic Reimagined: Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency with @‌Curate's Rhys Denny
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ryan Stewart is joined by Rhys Denny, Co-Founder of @‌curate, to unpack why programmatic advertising has become so complex, and what the industry can do to rebuild trust, transparency, and efficiency. Rhys shares the story behind @‌curate, the thinking that inspired its creation, and how products like Wanda are helping media teams reduce operational friction, improve decision-making, and make AI work for them, not against them. Together, Ryan and Rhys explore the realities of modern media buying, from increasing pressure on traders and agencies to the growing demand for genuine transparency across the ecosystem. They discuss the future of programmatic, where AI is delivering real value beyond the hype, and what a healthier, more sustainable advertising landscape could look like for brands, agencies, and the people behind the campaigns. Tune in to discover technology and a mission for rebuilding trust, helping shape a more transparent future in AdTech
July 23 · 25 min
Connected Performance: The Next Era of Marketing with Criteo’s Todd Parsons
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter is joined by Todd Parsons, Chief Product Officer at Criteo, to explore why performance marketing is undergoing one of its biggest transformations yet. Todd shares how Criteo is helping brands navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, and why traditional approaches to planning, measurement, and optimisation are no longer enough. Together, Daniel and Todd discuss the shift away from channel silos towards a truly cross-channel, full-funnel strategy, the role product teams play in driving innovation, and where AI is delivering real business impact beyond the buzz. They also look ahead to the future of performance marketing, exploring the trends, technologies, and mindset shifts that brands and agencies need to embrace to stay ahead. Tune in to stay ahead on the hottest topics in AdTech! This is one you won't want to miss!
June 18 · 33 min
OOH Amplified: AI and the Next Era of Media
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ryan Stewart is joined by Shanil Chande, Chief Programmatic Officer at Talon OOH, to explore how AI is transforming the world of Out-of-Home advertising. Shanil shares his career journey and explains how OOH has evolved into a dynamic, data-driven channel at the heart of today’s media ecosystem. The conversation dives into how AI is impacting OOH differently from other digital channels, where the biggest opportunities lie for smarter planning, targeting, and measurement, and how Talon’s new AI-powered planning tool is helping advertisers make better decisions and drive stronger campaign outcomes. Ryan and Shanil discuss the future of OOH, the emerging technologies set to reshape the industry, and the skills marketers need to develop now to stay ahead in an increasingly intelligent advertising landscape. 🎧 Tune in to discover how AI is redefining OOH, and what lies ahead for the ever changing channel
June 9 · 32 min
Entertainment Revolution: The Rise of Creator-Led TV with Gaggl's Greg Miall
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer sits down with Greg Miall, Co-Founder of Gaggl, to explore how the worlds of television, social media, and the creator economy are colliding to create entirely new forms of entertainment. Greg shares the story behind Gaggl, the platform often described as "Gogglebox for creators," and explains why reaction-led, community-driven content is resonating with audiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. The conversation explores the evolution from traditional TV to streaming and examines how platforms like YouTube and TikTok are reshaping the way content is created, consumed, and shared. Ed and Greg also discuss what this shift means for brands, diving into standout campaigns with Cash App and Netflix's Stranger Things, before looking ahead to the future of creator-led viewing and where Gaggl fits into the next chapter of digital entertainment. 🎧 Tune in to discover how creators are redefining the viewing experience, and why the future of entertainment may be more interactive than ever.
June 1 · 39 min
Humans, Machines & Marketing: The Future of Talent with Ryan Kangisser
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Ryan Kangisser, Chief Strategy Officer at mediasense, for a discussion on the future of talent in an AI-driven marketing landscape. The conversation centres around mediasense's upcoming Humans, Machines and Marketing survey and the questions it aims to explore across brands, agencies, and technology providers. Ryan shares his perspective on how talent requirements are evolving, whether AI is widening or narrowing skills gaps, and the characteristics that will define high-performing teams in the years ahead. Ed and Ryan also examine how agency models are adapting to changing client expectations, the common pitfalls organisations face when building talent strategies, and what the industry should be paying attention to as Cannes 2026 approaches. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how AI is reshaping the ever evolving relationship between people, technology, and marketing
S1 · E1
May 28 · 18 min
The She Suite: Leading Through Craft, Not Climbing the Ladder with Michelle Urwin
Welcome to the very first episode of The She Suite, a new podcast series from Life In Digital spotlighting inspiring female leaders and their journeys to being a CMO. In this debut episode, Sonia Atwal is joined by Michelle Urwin, CMO at Skai, for a candid conversation on career growth, modern marketing leadership, and the evolving role of today’s CMO. Michelle reflects on her journey across agency and client-side roles, the experiences that shaped her leadership style, and why she never set out with the ambition of becoming a CMO. Together, they discuss the growing commercial pressures facing marketers, balancing short-term performance with long-term brand transformation, and how AI is reshaping creativity within the industry. Michelle also shares her thoughts on mentorship, the key traits needed to succeed in leadership, and advice for marketers who are driven by a passion for the craft rather than chasing titles. If you work in marketing, digital, media, or leadership, this is an episode packed with valuable insight and perspective you won’t want to miss.
May 14 · 29 min
Scaling Sustainably: Growth Without Burnout with Assertive Yield’s Richard Ottoy
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Richard Ottoy, SVP Sales EMEA at Assertive Yield to explore the evolving publisher landscape and what it takes to drive sustainable revenue growth in today’s market. Richard shares what drew him to Assertive Yield, the company’s mission, and how its products help publishers unlock greater performance and control over their monetisation strategies. The conversation dives into the unique dynamics of the European market, how Assertive Yield is approaching growth in the region, and what success looks like when building high-performing, revenue-focused teams. Richard also shares his philosophy on developing sales talent, creating a culture that drives results without burnout, and how to set individuals up for long-term success, even when working across global time zones. 🎧 Tune in to hear how leading publishers are driving smarter revenue growth and what it takes to build high-performing teams in the process.
April 23 · 31 min
Discovery Disruption: How Glance Is Transforming AdTech with Inmobi’s Kunal Nagpal
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter sits down with Kunal Nagpal, Chief Business Officer at InMobi, to explore how AI is reshaping discovery, engagement, and the future of digital advertising. Kunal shares his career journey and what’s driving focus at InMobi right now, before diving into GlanceAI and GlanceTV, and how it’s reshaping the way consumers interact with content and brands. The conversation unpacks the shift from “search and scroll” to discovery-led experiences, and what that means for advertisers trying to capture attention in an increasingly crowded landscape. Kunal also cuts through the noise around AI, sharing what’s genuinely transformative versus overhyped, and how InMobi is applying it in a way that delivers real value. Looking ahead, Kunal highlights the trends many in the industry are underestimating, what the ecosystem is getting wrong today, and how things could look radically different in just a few years. 🎧 Tune in to discover how AI-powered discovery is changing the rules, and what it means for the future of advertising.
March 24 · 32 min
The Real Time Race: Why Real Time Marketing Wins with Sightly’s Rob Trotter
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Rob Trotter, Managing Director, EMEA at Sightly to explore how real-time marketing is reshaping the digital advertising landscape. As Sightly launches in Europe, Rob shares an overview of the business, his career journey, and how the company is helping brands activate more dynamic, responsive campaigns. The conversation unpacks the concept of walled gardens, breaking down what they are and the role they play in today’s media. Rob and Ed dive into the risks and rewards of real-time marketing within these environments, and how this shift is challenging traditional planning and buying approaches. Looking ahead, they explore what’s next for this space, from evolving technology to the changing expectations of brands, and what marketers need to do to stay ahead. Tune in to discover how real-time marketing is changing the rules, and what it means for the future of digital advertising! Life in Digital is brought to you by Revving, the solution enabling flexible access to revenue and greater control over capital across the digital economy through their Transactional-Based Funding model. Find out more at revving.io
March 10 · 28 min
Protocol Power: Inside Ad Context Protocol with Scope3’s Alexander Oakden
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Alexander Oakden, Director, UK & Northern Europe at Scope3, to unpack how AI, transparency, and open standards are reshaping digital advertising. Alexander shares how Scope3 has evolved over the past three years and explains the thinking behind the AdContext Protocol, what it is, why it matters, and how it helps buyers make smarter decisions while giving publishers more control over how their inventory is understood and valued. The conversation also explores what the rise of AI-driven buying means for the future of the ecosystem and where the biggest opportunities are emerging. If you want to stay up to date on the latest in programmatic and how AI unlocks a more efficient, transparent media landscape this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
S2 · E1
January 20 · 26 min
From Metrics to Meaning: Measuring Brand Lift with Alistair Hill
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Ed Steer is joined by Alistair Hill, Co-Founder at On Device, to explore how brands can measure what really matters in an increasingly complex digital advertising landscape. Alistair shares an overview of On Device and his role in shaping the company’s mission, before diving into the challenges marketers face when it comes to ad effectiveness and brand lift measurement. From outdated measurement models and poor-quality data to fragmented media consumption, the conversation unpacks why proving true impact has never been harder or more important. Looking ahead, Alistair discusses the factors behind On Device’s success, how its technology helps brands overcome modern measurement challenges, and where companies should be focusing their investment next. He also offers insight into the channels and verticals primed for innovation and what’s on the roadmap for On Device over the next 12 months. 🎧 Tune in now to learn how smarter measurement is shaping the future of digital advertising.
January 13 · 44 min
Attention IRL: The Future of Brand Connection with Outernet’s Lisa Miles
In this episode of Life in Digital, host Marnie Senior sits down with Lisa Miles, Director of Strategic Growth at Outernet London, to explore why real-world, immersive experiences are cutting through in today’s fragmented media landscape. Lisa shares her journey into experiential media, as well as what’s driving the growing complexity of how brands reach audiences today. Together, they unpack why physical, sensory experiences remain so powerful in a screen dominated world, and how brands can strike the right balance between real world and digital touchpoints. Lisa also discusses the risks for brands that fail to invest in meaningful experiences and why attention is no longer something that can be taken for granted. Tune in for an expert insight into experience-led marketing and why it is becoming increasingly important in today’s media landscape!

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