{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"180. From History Major to MadTech Leader: Heather Macaulay on Tech Stack Clarity, Connectivity, and Career Advice","description":"In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, we sit down with Heather Macaulay, President of MadTech, an AdTech consultancy transforming how teams approach data, integrations, and strategy. Heather shares her unexpected journey into ad tech\u2014from Newbury Street project management to Pubmatic to founding MadTech\u2014and the lessons she\u2019s picked up along the way. We dive into what it really means to have a strong, scalable tech stack, the common mistakes advertisers make when choosing tools, and why platform connectivity is now mission-critical. Heather also breaks down how MadConnect, MadTech\u2019s integration engine, is solving industry-wide challenges around data orchestration and interoperability. We also talk about early career growth, preparedness as a power move, and the importance of being a lifelong student. Plus, Heather shares how AI is shaping her workflow and offers tactical advice for making the most of tools like ChatGPT. If you're in your first few years in the industry\u2014or managing a team that is\u2014this episode is gold. &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; About Us: We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency\u00ae program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer: Programmatic Training &amp;amp; Coaching:   Executive Membership: for the busy mid-level to senior or director-level programmatic ninja looking for a structured, high-impact way to stay ahead of evolving trends, sharpen your optimization skills, and connect with like-minded experts Join Here: https:\/\/programmaticdigest14822.ac-page.com\/executivemembership &amp;nbsp;      Accelerator Program: A 6-week structured program with live coaching, hands-on DSP exercises, and real-time feedback. Sign Up: https:\/\/reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com\/courses\/program&amp;nbsp;       Self-Paced Course: Learn at your own speed with full content access.  Enroll Here: https:\/\/reachandfrequencycourse.thinkific.com\/bundles\/the-reach-frequency-full-course &amp;nbsp;   &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Timestamps: (00:00) - Welcome &amp;amp; Guest Intro (01:49) - Heather\u2019s Origin Story: From Literature to Ad Tech (04:28) - Events, Community, and Female-Forward Activations (06:28) - What MadTech Does: Product + Data Consultancy (07:26) - Solving Integration Challenges with MadConnect (08:55) - Advice for Newbies: Be Curious, Prepared &amp;amp; Over-Invest (11:47) - Tech Stack Talk: Common Gaps and Evaluation Strategy (15:18) - API Gaps &amp;amp; the Cost of Poor Connectivity (17:31) - Real-World Examples: Activating Audiences with MadConnect (20:35) - Emerging Trend: AI in Strategy, Sales &amp;amp; Workflow (25:03) - How to Use AI as a Junior Team Member (27:27) - Heather\u2019s Tips for Prompting, Positioning &amp;amp; Product Copy (30:27) - Final Thoughts &amp;amp; Where to Connect &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Meet Our Guest: Heather Macaulay \u2013 President, MadTech Connect on LinkedIn &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Meet The Team:   H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Parker - Chief Programmatic Coach    https:\/\/www.heleneparker.com\/&amp;nbsp;   https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/helene-parker\/ &amp;nbsp;      Manuela Cortes - Co-Host&amp;nbsp;    Programmatic Digest In Espanol:&amp;nbsp;   https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/manuela-cortes-\/      &amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp; Learn Programmatic: As a TEAM: heleneparker.com\/workshop  As a Programmatic Ninja: heleneparker.com\/course Newsletter: heleneparker.com\/newsletter Programmatic Digest LinkedIn  YouTube &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Programmatic Digest","author_url":"http:\/\/programmaticdigest.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37431345\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/ec826d\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/190839050"}