12 AdTech Recruiters That Know the Industry Inside Out
Meet the most trusted AdTech talent experts & headhunters who consistently deliver top candidates to fast-growing companies. ↓
AdTech is rapidly evolving, and top talent is in high demand. The recruiters shaping this space play a key role in connecting innovators with the right opportunities, driving the future of digital advertising.
Below is a curated list of top AdTech recruiters who truly know the industry inside out, selected for their impact and deep understanding of this dynamic field.
- Avi Mally
- Mary Abrasley
- Jay Haines
- Lauren Lotka
- Josh Marmer
- Jessica Natches
- Whitney Radia
- Katie Farber
- Dana Siomkos
- Traci Shepherd
- Tony Stanol
- Elfe Cimicata
Each entry includes a brief explanation of why they are among the best, followed by their social media profiles.
Avi Mally
Nationality: American
Avi founded Three Pillars Recruiting in 2006 and has since grown it to a 30-person firm specializing in adtech, digital media, and marketing roles.
His firm has handled talent acquisition for Fortune 500 clients such as Albertsons’ digital transformation. Mally is known for his candid insights into the job market – he observed the pendulum swing from a candidate-driven market to an employer-driven one post-pandemic. He advises candidates to show genuine curiosity and effort (e.g. well-crafted résumés and willingness to meet in person) in order to stand out.
- LinkedIn: Avi Mally
Mary Abrasley
Nationality: American
Bring your whole self to work and showcase your impact beyond just technical skills.
Mary leads recruiting for Interpublic’s Mediabrands network, which includes agencies like Initiative and UM.
She oversees an enormous hiring operation (about 1,500 hires a year) and has spearheaded diversity-focused campaigns such as the “We See You at Mediabrands” initiative. Known for her strategic use of social media in talent outreach, Abrasley emphasizes candidates bringing their “whole self” to work and showcasing impact beyond just technical skills.
- LinkedIn: Mary Abrasley
Jay Haines
Nationality: British
Jay co-founded Grace Blue, which has grown into one of the largest independent executive search firms in marketing and communications, with teams across the US, Europe, and Asia.
Since 2006 he has led C-level searches (about 140 a year) for brands like Amazon, Spotify, and major agency holding companies. Haines is known for his thought leadership on career strategy – advising candidates to assess a company’s financial health and stability – and for matching transformational leaders to top roles.
- LinkedIn: Jay Haines
- X (Twitter): @jayhaines
Lauren Lotka
Nationality: American
Lauren launched Lotka & Co. in 2017 as a boutique executive search consultancy for brand marketers.
Her six-person team handles senior placements and has built leadership teams for clients like The North Face, Google, Burton, and Timberland. Lotka is praised for a holistic approach – she not only recruits talent but also helps design organizational structure and advises on culture and DEI initiatives.
Her firm’s success and long-term partnerships (she continues supporting candidates even after placement) underscore her reputation in the industry.
- LinkedIn: Lauren Lotka
Josh Marmer
Nationality: American
Based in New York, Josh helps lead AC Lion, a top executive search firm focused on digital media and adtech.
He specializes in placing “revenue-generating talent” – roles in sales, marketing, and strategy that drive growth for both Fortune 500 and high-growth startups. With 20+ years in recruitment, Marmer has navigated hiring booms and slowdowns; he noted that after a “manic” 2021 the market cooled as companies grew cautious in late 2022.
Colleagues commend Marmer for his mentorship of candidates (from polishing LinkedIn profiles to career coaching) and his six-time inclusion on Forbes’ Best Executive Recruiting Firms with AC Lion.
- LinkedIn: Josh Marmer
- X (Twitter): @JoshsJobs
Jessica Natches
Nationality: American
Jessica leads executive recruitment at Huge, a global experience agency.
She has guided Huge’s talent strategy through a major evolution – as Huge went fully remote and shifted to a “talent hub” model, Natches sought leaders with change management skills and genuine passion for the brand. She is credited with diversifying Huge’s talent pool beyond traditional geographies and championing “authenticity” in hiring.
Natches’ ability to identify creative visionaries who thrive in non-traditional settings has made her a highly respected in-house talent leader.
- LinkedIn: Jessica Natches
Whitney Radia
Nationality: American
Whitney launched Misfit Talent in 2015 to help agencies and brands find “modern” talent across marketing, creative, technology, and innovation roles.
Based in Austin and New York, her firm is known for placing hybrid talent that doesn’t fit the old molds – the “misfits” who drive fresh ideas. Radia frequently shares job-seeking tips on LinkedIn and urges professionals to stay open to new opportunities: “The best time to look for something new is when you’re not entirely unhappy”, she advises.
Her focus on long-term career growth and knack for spotting multifaceted candidates have earned her strong client and candidate endorsements.
- LinkedIn: Whitney Radia
Katie Farber
Nationality: American
Katie leads recruiting for the Americas at Dentsu International, the Japan-founded advertising network with 65,000+ employees worldwide.
During the pandemic she concentrated on filling roles requiring “hard” skills (like data, UX, and TikTok content creation), but now places equal weight on “soft skills” such as leadership and communication. With nearly 20 years in talent, Farber is lauded for guiding Dentsu’s hiring strategy through rapid industry shifts.
- LinkedIn: Katie Farber
Dana Siomkos
Nationality: American
Dana is an agency veteran turned entrepreneur who founded You & Them, a boutique recruitment agency for creative and executive talent.
She brands herself the “anti-recruiter”, on a mission to modernize hiring with creativity and authenticity. Siomkos places senior creatives and strategists at agencies, brands, and startups – all while encouraging candidates to use non-traditional means (video resumes, personal branding on social) to express their charisma.
Post-pandemic, she notes, leaders must find innovative ways to inspire remote teams. Siomkos’s refreshing approach and her vibrant social media presence have made her a well-known name in ad talent circles.
- LinkedIn: Dana Siomkos
Traci Shepherd
Nationality: American
Traci heads global talent for Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), a creative agency within Publicis Groupe.
With BBH hiring hundreds of creatives annually, Shepherd is tasked with finding storytellers who can push the creative envelope. She believes in sourcing talent beyond LinkedIn – often “going down rabbit holes” of who created notable work and chasing referrals. Shepherd champions authenticity in candidates: she looks for personality and genuine passion over a “robotic” professionalism.
Her talent instincts and dedication to nurturing diverse creative voices have solidified her reputation as a top in-house recruiter.
- LinkedIn: Traci Shepherd
Tony Stanol
Nationality: American
Tony runs the Sarasota, FL franchise of Global Recruiters Network, where he specializes in advertising and marketing placements.
With decades of experience, Stanol has seen multiple cycles in the ad job market. He emphasizes back-to-basics advice for candidates – e.g. keeping LinkedIn profiles packed with accomplishments and targeting a “hit list” of desired companies. Stanol is also an active voice on industry forums and even hosts an “AdTastic” interview series.
Business Insider recognized him as a go-to recruiter during the post-pandemic talent reshuffle, and he’s known for his humorous yet insightful approach (he moonlights in improv comedy).
- LinkedIn: Tony Stanol
- X (Twitter): @tstanol
Elfe Cimicata
Nationality: British
Elfe is the global talent lead for Bulletproof, a brand design agency with offices worldwide.
She seeks out innovative, entrepreneurial creatives and has built teams across London, New York, and beyond. Rather than trendy apps, Cimicata relies on tried-and-true channels – she noted that LinkedIn and a strong careers page are her primary recruiting tools. Her pragmatic approach to talent and eye for “culture add” have earned her a reputation as a trusted in-house recruiter.
- LinkedIn: Elfe Cimicata
Sum Up
These highly regarded recruiters have played a pivotal role in shaping the AdTech industry, sourcing top-tier talent, driving innovation, and accelerating growth in the digital advertising landscape. However, working with these experts can be challenging due to their high demand and premium costs.
A practical solution is partnering with EchoGlobal, where our specialized knowledge and global network ensure seamless connections to the best AdTech talent, helping you drive your business forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are valuable for companies hiring within digital advertising, programmatic media, and marketing technology. AdTech recruiters understand evolving trends in data-driven marketing and automation. They help employers find top commercial and technical talent while guiding candidates through a competitive and fast-changing job market.
Key organizations include Three Pillars Recruiting, Grace Blue, Lotka & Co., AC Lion, Huge, Misfit Talent, and Dentsu International. These firms and in-house teams have strong track records in executive and creative placements for major global brands and agencies. Their recruiters are respected for deep sector knowledge and extensive professional networks.
Most charge 20% to 30% of a candidate’s first-year salary for permanent roles. Executive or retained searches may reach higher rates depending on role complexity and seniority. Some in-house teams manage talent directly as part of organizational recruitment functions.
Choose recruiters with experience in digital advertising, programmatic tech, or media sales. Check their client lists, leadership placements, and visibility within marketing and adtech communities. A good recruiter should combine industry fluency with transparency and consistent communication.
They help companies structure their marketing and advertising technology teams, improve talent acquisition, and identify gaps in strategy or leadership. Consultants may also advise on platform integrations, data capabilities, and go-to-market hiring. Their expertise helps brands stay competitive in the digital advertising landscape.
