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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAgency & IndustryProgrammatic Trader

Agency & Industry

Programmatic Trader

A specialist who buys and optimizes media in DSPs, managing bids, deals, and supply paths to hit KPIs.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

A programmatic trader is a specialist who buys and optimizes media in demand-side platforms, managing bids, deals and supply paths to hit campaign KPIs. Traders set targeting, monitor pacing and performance, adjust budgets in near real time and work with partners on private marketplace deals, balancing efficiency, quality and brand safety.