In the first Legends of Adtech episode of 2026, Julia Linehan is joined by Leila Seith-Hassan, Chief Data Officer at Digitas UK, a global data leader turning raw numbers into meaningful impact.
From her early career in Australia to senior leadership roles across the US, Europe and the UK, Leila shares how data, creativity and responsibility intersect in modern advertising. This honest conversation explores ethical AI, diversity in STEM, and why data should enable creativity rather than replace it.
Leila also unpacks the backlash around AI-generated advertising, explains why “lazy” use of AI is the real threat to creativity, and shares why representation in data, technology and leadership roles is critical to building fair, effective systems for the future.
You’ll also hear Leila’s perspective on:
- The role of data in shaping creative ideas
- Why diversity is a competitive advantage in adtech
- How AI is changing (but not replacing) creative, media and data roles
- What it really means to lead responsibly in a data-driven industry
- Why finding the right company culture can unlock career growth
Whether you work in adtech, martech, data, media, creative, or leadership, this episode is essential listening for anyone looking to shape the future of advertising with intelligence and integrity.
Welcome to Legends of Adtech: the podcast where we go beyond the buzzwords and straight to the people at the coalface 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 Leila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilaseithhassan/
Learn more about Digitas: https://www.digitas.com/en-us
About Leila:
Leila is the Chief Data Officer at Digitas. Her career has spanned several continents, including Australia, the USA, Europe, and currently the UK. She brings extensive experience from roles with multinational corporations such as American Express, Nestlé, GSK, and IBM, in addition to various market-based organisations.
Beyond her technological and leadership accomplishments, Leila is a staunch advocate for ethical AI and diversity in STEM fields. Recognised as a thought leader, she significantly influences the dialogue around AI ethics, impacting cultural, business, and societal norms. Her accolades include being named a BIMA 100 Champion for Change and a DATA IQ Top 100. Leila also chairs the Data & Marketing Association’s Marketing Ethics committee and serves on their AI committee, driving forward the ethical use of data and AI in marketing.
About Digitas:
Digitas harness the power of connection to make positive impact every day. They have a relentless focus on creating connections to help their clients’ businesses grow, connecting diverse people, ideas and expertise in innovative and exciting ways.
They are making positive impact with their amazing clients, through their capabilities in Consulting, Products & Platforms, Customer Engagement and Digital Media.
Part of Publicis Groupe, and a Leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Global Marketing Agencies, they're proud to work with some of the world’s leading brands.
Digitas. Experience the power of connection.
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:
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