Life in Digital

Hosted by Sphere Digital Recruitment

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Episodes

136

Latest episode

Oct 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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November 3, 202632 min

The Sigma Shift: Solving Advertisers' Biggest Challenges with MiQ's Rob Linton

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.

October 29, 202640 min

The Global Agency Playbook: Building International Growth with The MISSION Group's Paul Squirrell

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.

October 27, 202628 min

Audio Expansion: Scaling into the US Market with Audion's Arthur Larrey

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.

October 22, 202628 min

The Human Signal: Using Digital Twins to Understand Real People with Parallel’s Rob Hall

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.

October 20, 202618 min

Trust Rebuilt: Restoring Confidence in the Future of AdTech with ROQAD's Alasdair Cross

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!

October 15, 202625 min

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

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.

October 13, 202633 min

Beyond the Algorithm: Building B2B Brands That Get Found with Gilroy's Gareth Clark

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.

October 8, 202629 min

Publisher Reset: Rethinking Monetisation in the Age of AI with Freestar's Kurt Donnell

In this episode of Life in Digital, host Daniel Bolter is joined by Kurt Donnell, CEO of Freestar, to explore the changing landscape for digital publishers and what it will take to build a healthier publisher ecosystem in the age of AI. Kurt reflects on Freestar's journey over the past decade and how its publisher-first approach has evolved as the industry has become increasingly complex. The conversation dives into pubOS, Freestar's new publisher operating system, and the challenge of bringing fragmented monetisation tools together. Daniel and Kurt also unpack what real value looks like from a monetisation partner, the industry's growing flight to quality, and whether advertisers are being too cautious when it comes to brand safety and premium inventory. AI is another major focus, from the danger of accelerating inefficient processes to the impact AI-driven discovery is having on publisher traffic. Kurt shares what he believes publishers are getting wrong about the current shift, how Freestar is helping partners navigate it, and what a healthy publishing ecosystem could look like over the next year. 🎧 Tune in for a conversation on publisher monetisation, AI, quality media and what comes next for the open web.

October 6, 202638 min

Creative That Converts: Balancing Volume, Quality and AI with Illuminate Digital's Josephine Phipps

In this episode of Life in Digital , host Jenny Dunford is joined by Josephine Phipps, CEO of Illuminate Digital, to explore what it really takes to drive ecommerce growth in an increasingly challenging market. Josephine shares her career journey and insights from leading an agency working with brands across creative, media and performance marketing. The conversation dives into the growing pressure for brands to produce more creative in response to AI-driven platforms like Meta's Andromeda, and why volume shouldn't come at the expense of quality or originality. Jenny and Josephine also explore the evolving role of influencer content, the rising cost of customer acquisition, and the risks of relying too heavily on automated media buying. They also unpack one of marketing's biggest challenges: measurement. Josephine explains why platform-reported ROAS doesn't always tell the full story, and how approaches such as incrementality testing and Marketing Mix Modelling can help brands understand what's really driving growth. Finally, she looks ahead at what will separate the ecommerce brands that thrive from those that struggle in the years ahead. 🎧 Tune in for a conversation on smarter growth, better measurement and navigating the new realities of ecommerce marketing.

October 1, 202624 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.