Life in Digital

Hosted by Sphere Digital Recruitment

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Episodes

120

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

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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60 recent

August 25, 202632 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, 202624 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, 202625 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, 202633 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, 202632 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, 202639 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

May 28, 2026Episode 118 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, 202629 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, 202631 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, 202632 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