In this episode, we’re joined by James Macdonald, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Limelight Inc., to talk about the power of people in a tech-driven industry. From his Fleet Street beginnings at the Daily Express to building global programmatic platforms, James shares the lessons, laughs and leaps that have defined his journey.

He reflects on the early days of mobile, his global adventures in New York and beyond, and why he believes technology should always come with a heartbeat. Expect candid stories and big lessons on leadership as James unpacks how to build partnerships that last, create technology that serves humans (not the other way around) and why efficiency will be the adtech word to watch in 2026.

Welcome to Legends of Adtech: the podcast where we go beyond the buzzwords and straight to the people at the cold face of the adtech industry. Every two weeks, we sit down with the industry’s boldest thinkers, pioneers, and disruptors, to find out how they’re rewriting the game. This is their story.

Connect with James Macdonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmiemac/

Learn more about Limelight Inc.: https://www.limelight.inc/

About James:

James Macdonald is Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Limelight Digital, responsible for the day-to-day sales and outreach operations and management of the company, which offers SaaS solutions to agencies, publishers, networks and traders looking to operate via OpenRTB, Pre bid and beyond. Limelight’s platform offers simple, cost-effective licensing models and unlimited QPS, making it possible to engage with all commercial opportunities without fear of platform or ad serving fees.

James began his career at the Daily Express on Fleet street, then spent some years in agencies, before becoming the first Mobile Lead at Unanimis, London’s leading premium digital ad network. Following this, James became the Launch Head of Sales for O2 (Telefonica) Media, setting up the division and developing the Telefonica O2 Media proposition across the UK and European markets. He then spent four years in America as General Manager, USA for Adfonic, a mobile specific DSP platform and one of the early mobile ad networks, building the US presence and running an extended international team in the market. On returning home, James launched his own consulting vehicle, Videohog, offering clients like Digicel, Telefonica, Zeotap and many others access and activation in programmatic markets globally. James Teamed up with Limelight Co-founder David Nelson again at this time, and together, they visioned and developed the limelight Journey

Outside of work, James plays the saxophone and is an avid golfer. He takes his clubs with him on most of his travels around the world.

About Limelight Inc:

Limelight Inc. helps companies in the ad tech ecosystem to easily navigate the complex programmatic landscape, blending cutting-edge technology with best-in-class expertise and human support.

Hundreds of ad networks, publishers and agencies use Limelight’s programmatic oRTB solution to build bespoke, white-labelled trading environments and drive profitability and performance at scale - immediately.

The platform was launched in 2019, and has since helped hundreds of companies unlock new opportunities for trade and incremental revenues.

Limelight is more than a service provider, our ethos is firmly centred on human support and strong partnerships for the global Limelight community.

About The Digital Voice™ & Adtech Juice:

The Digital Voice™ is a B2B boutique PR agency with boundless energy for PR, social marketing & events, specialising in adtech and martech companies, ranging from startups to those heading for IPO!

Adtech Juice is...

In the first episode of Season 2, we sit down with Jon Walsh, Co-Founder of JobsInAdtech.com and LinkedBands, to explore how community, connection and creativity can redefine what success looks like in adtech. From building media businesses and authoring books to turning a lockdown WhatsApp chat into a global industry network, Jon’s story is all about bringing people together.

A natural connector and industry mainstay, Jon shares how to build genuine relationships in a digital world, why recruitment in adtech is long overdue for disruption, and how LinkedBands bridges the gap between online and in-person networking. This episode is a reminder that behind every piece of tech, there’s a human story, and Jon knows how to tell it.

Welcome to Legends of Adtech: the podcast where we go beyond the buzzwords and straight to the people at the cold face of the adtech industry. Every two weeks, we sit down with the industry’s boldest thinkers, pioneers, and disruptors, to find out how they’re rewriting the game. This is their story.

Connect with Jon Walsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walshjon/

Visit JobsinAdtech.com

Learn more about LinkedBands: https://linkedbands.com/

About Jon:

Jon Walsh has had a 24+ year career in digital advertising, both as an entrepreneur/angel investor building various media sales companies in the space, and as a senior executive within corporates. In addition, Jon is a published author, contributing to the highly successful Understanding Digital Media series of books. In February 2021 he created a WhatsApp group to talk to other adtechers during the Covid lockdowns, which then grew into a global media and chat hub for the industry. These groups are now supported by industry sponsors.

Fuelled by a real enjoyment taken from creating a platform where the industry can gather and socialise, and from seeing what was and wasn’t happening in the industry, Jon co-founded JobsInAdtech.com, the first and only dedicated jobs board to help companies recruit better, faster, and cheaper than all previous methods.

About JobsinAdtech.com:

JobsInAdtech.com was created to fill a gaping hole in the recruitment process in the advertising technology industry. Despite the industry being almost 30 years old, adtech has had to rely on personal contacts and LinkedIn in order to help companies find candidates, and candidates find companies.

JobsInAdtech.com was soft-launched in April 2023 to aid candidates who are already in the space to find which recruiters have vacant roles available and apply with ease. The company is a full supporter of all forms of diversity and inclusion, and continues to champion this on the frontline for companies that share their values.

About The Digital Voice™ & Adtech Juice:

The Digital Voice™ is a B2B boutique PR agency with boundless energy for PR, social marketing & events, specialising in adtech and martech companies, ranging from startups to those heading for IPO!

Adtech Juice is The Digital Voice™'s brand new adtech learning hub, where you can level up your adtech knowledge no matter your learning level. Dive in:

ADTECH JUICE: https://www.adtechjuice.com

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adtechjuice

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@adtechjuice

THE DIGITAL VOICE™: https://www.thedigitalvoice.co.uk

To stay up to date on what, where, and when at TDV make sure to follow us on our other social channels too:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedigitalvoice

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU3YMC9i7AFVET9NtmsaiQ

INSTAGRAM:...

In Episode Six, we sit down with Paul Gubbins, VP of Sales & Programmatic Partnerships at Tubi, to explore a career built on innovation, storytelling, and industry visibility. From selling ad space in Classic Tractor magazine to helping scale one of the world’s largest free streaming services, Paul’s journey is a masterclass in adapting, leading, and making an impact.

Known for commanding attention both on stage and online, Paul shares how to build credibility and community in a crowded adtech landscape, the art of educational “soft selling” on LinkedIn, and why CTV is on the brink of its next big leap. This episode is packed with sharp insight, practical tips, and a few legendary stories along the way.

Welcome to Legends of Adtech: the podcast where we go beyond the buzzwords and straight to the people at the cold face of the adtech industry. Every two weeks, we sit down with the industry’s boldest thinkers, pioneers, and disruptors, to find out how they’re rewriting the game. This is their story.

Connect with Karen Eccles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgubbins/

Learn more about Tubi: https://tubitv.com/

About Paul:

Paul Gubbins has over 18 years of sales experience and has spent the last 15+ years in programmatic leadership roles at global companies such as Nexxen, PubMatic, and Verizon. More recently, Paul was responsible for launching the EMEA office for CTV Ad Server Publica before their acquisition by Integral Ad Science, and is now VP Sales & Programmatic Partnerships for the leading free streaming service, Tubi.

About Tubi:

Tubi is the most watched free TV and movie streaming service in the U.S., dedicated to providing all people access to all the world's stories. As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library of over 275,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 FAST channels. Tubi is part of the Tubi Media Group, a division of Fox Corporation that oversees the company’s digital businesses.

About The Digital Voice™ & Adtech Juice:

The Digital Voice™ is a B2B boutique PR agency with boundless energy for PR, social marketing & events, specialising in adtech and martech companies, ranging from startups to those heading for IPO!

Adtech Juice is The Digital Voice™'s brand new adtech learning hub, where you can level up your adtech knowledge no matter your learning level. Dive in:

ADTECH JUICE: https://www.adtechjuice.com

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adtechjuice

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@adtechjuice

THE DIGITAL VOICE™: https://www.thedigitalvoice.co.uk

To stay up to date on what, where, and when at TDV make sure to follow us on our other social channels too:

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedigitalvoice

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU3YMC9i7AFVET9NtmsaiQ

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thedigitalvoicePR

OUR PODCAST: https://www.adtechjuice.com/podcast

For the latest news visit https://www.thedigitalvoice.co.uk