179. From Intern to Programmatic Media Director: Navigating Career Growth and Industry Insights with David Wiener

All Episodes

July 3, 2025 • 33 mins

In this episode of the Programmatic Digest, we talk with David Wiener, Director of Programmatic Media at a large agency group. He shares how he got started in programmatic as an intern at a small shop while studying at Hofstra and how he worked his way up through companies like Quotient to his current leadership role.

David talks about how he stayed motivated during career changes and the challenges many face in this industry, like job stress and feeling stuck. We also talk about how to keep growing and knowing when it’s time to make a move.

We then break down what makes campaigns work well. We explain why building strong partnerships with platforms like Pubmatic and OpenX matters. We also explain the difference between focusing on performance and focusing on brand goals—and when each one is more important depending on your campaign’s goal.

Later, we talk about personal growth and the power of networking. I share how to keep learning at work and how to handle the guilt some feel when changing jobs. We also talk about favorite TV shows like Night Agent and Peaky Blinders. We end by thanking each other and reflecting on the great conversations this podcast brings.

About Us:

We teach historically excluded individuals how to break into programmatic media buying and land their dream jobs. Through our Reach and Frequency® program, an engaged community, and expert coaching, we offer:

Programmatic L&D Support: A monthly retainer providing hands-on training, strategy, and troubleshooting for programmatic teams. Book a Discovery Call: https://www.heleneparker.com/workshop/

Programmatic Training & 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

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