Jess Bradley is Chief Data Officer at Local Planet. In a career spanning over 15 years, she has previously held roles at companies including InfoSum, DoubleVerify and Silverbullet.
Who is your digital hero?
Stuart Colman, Senior Director, European Identity, The Trade Desk
What has he done to win hero status in your eyes?
Stuart is my hero because he always stands up for what’s right in our industry and genuinely puts people first. He’s the kind of leader who actually empowers others—especially women—without them having to fight for a seat at the table. You don’t need to push your way in when he’s in the room because he’s already made space for you.
He’s also one of those rare people who can combine deep expertise with humility. He knows digital inside and out, but he’s always open to learning, listening, and evolving. He’s not just shaping the industry—he’s making it a better place to work.
How has his heroism helped drive digital?
Stuart’s impact isn’t just about his technical knowledge (which, by the way, is next level, even if he does instead on taking his shoes off when he’s speaking to a group about something he’s really passionate about!); it’s about his ability to connect people, build relationships, and create an environment where everyone thrives.
He understands how digital works, but more importantly, he understands how people work—and that’s what makes the difference.
What are the biggest challenges in digital we need another hero to solve?
We need a hero to bring humans back to the center of everything we do.
Privacy regulations have forced us to rethink how we operate, but instead of seeing this as a roadblock, we should be grabbing the opportunity with both hands. This is our chance to rebuild digital in a way that prioritizes people—not just data points.
It’s time to stop obsessing over tracking every micro-interaction and start focusing on real human connections, the emotions that drive brand loyalty, and the value exchange between advertisers and audiences. The Ah-ha moment will come when we strike the perfect balance between AI, data & human driven.
What is your most heroic personal achievement so far in digital?
Honestly, taking the leap from 15 years of commercial roles in ad tech to the chief data officer role at Local Planet Media was a huge moment for me. It meant stepping outside of my comfort zone, facing that inner voice whispering, Are you sure you can do this?, and proving to myself that I absolutely could.
I’ve always been passionate about the power of independent agencies and the magic that happens when local expertise meets global scale. Advertisers are looking for an alternative to the traditional network model, and I’m excited to be part of the movement that’s building that future.
There’s something incredibly energizing about working alongside some of the best independent media agencies in the world and helping shape an approach that feels fresh, dynamic, and actually fit for the modern industry.
