Momentum in Action: Empowering Underrepresented Publishers for Success

The digital advertising ecosystem is evolving, but underrepresented publishers often face significant barriers to accessing the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to compete. Through its Momentum initiative, Colossus SSP aims to change that by providing these publishers with the support they need to thrive and grow.

This webinar will explore why programs that level the playing field for diverse publishers, offering solutions to challenges related to access, visibility, and growth in programmatic advertising are crucial to the future of the industry. Through an interactive discussion guests will take a deep dive into the success Colossus SSP’s innovative Momentum program has had in breaking down barriers and creating sustainable opportunities for long-term success.

This will offer practical advice and key insights for diverse publishers and advertisers looking to build a more inclusive and dynamic digital marketplace, with the discussion centering on:

• • How Momentum is empowering underrepresented publishers with access to premium inventory and advanced monetization tools
  • Strategies for leveraging authentic community connections to attract advertisers and increase revenue
  • The importance of diversity in shaping the future of programmatic advertising
  • Long-term benefits of fostering a more inclusive digital advertising landscape

Speakers

Barbara Burnett – Head of Buyer Development @ Colossus SSP
Heading up Programmatic Accounts, Barbara Burnett brings 12+ years of multi-platform marketing to the Colossus SSP team. Formerly with NBCUniversal Media’s broadcast stations in San Diego, she has expertise generating leads among regional and local direct contacts in general and Spanish-speaking markets, creating valuation models, and establishing marketing campaigns across platforms. Earlier in her career, Burnett worked with E.W. Scripps and Cox Media Group.

Alex Hughes – Founder & CEO @ Hughes Brand Group
Alex Hughes is an award-winning and innovative media executive who has 14+ years of experience at some of the world’s most prominent internet businesses: Yahoo, AOL, Food52, In The Know, and more.

He is the Founder and CEO of Hughes Brand Group. The Group’s first brand, So.Gay, is the newest and fastest growing LGBTQ+ brand, with 1.5 million monthly readers and is a top-4 LGBT media property in comScore.
His work has driven tens of billions of content views, acquired 80+ million social followers, sold $125M+ in e-commerce products, won 50+ industry awards, and driven $50M+ in custom advertising sales.

He’s created and executed campaigns for top advertisers including Walmart, Verizon, Amazon, Pizza Hut, Acura, HBO, Saks Fifth Avenue, and developed and produced content with top talent including Marsai Martin, Chloe Bailey, Elaine Welteroth, Kim Petras, the D’Amelio sisters, Chella Man, Patrick Ta, Angus Cloud, Evan Mock, and more.

Starting as a viral content creator and evolving into a business leader, he has distinctly married right and left brain skill sets to methodically build high-performing, profit-driving strategies that prioritize creativity and innovation to meet business goals.

Kori Hale – CEO @ CultureBanx
Kori Hale is a notable figure in the world of social entrepreneurship and impact. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of CultureBanx, a platform that creates stock market driven business news for hip-hop culture. Her online platform delivers high quality content focused on market-driven stories, innovative products and services that culture leads the way in transforming. She is an award winning entrepreneur known for her work in promoting financial literacy and economic empowerment, especially among Black entrepreneurs and investors.

Prior to starting CultureBanx, Kori was part of the launch team for digital media millennial news company Cheddar. She has the distinct privilege of being the first Black woman to anchor a daily news show from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Kori is also a leading Forbes contributor, covering the intersection of business and culture. Previously she was a TV Producer for CNBC’s top-rated shows Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley. Before joining CNBC, Kori was an international producer for Bloomberg TV and a financial correspondent for TheStreet.com. Kori’s passion for business news started with her role at UBS Investment Bank in London and continued when she returned to the states to work as an Investment Banker for Goldman Sachs.

She is an active global public speaker and has presented at the SXSW Conference, Cannes Lions Festival, Forbes 30 Under 30 Conference, United Nations General Assembly, Salesforce, PayPal, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, Mosaic Genius Gathering, Barclays Bank, Facebook, Bloomberg, UPenn Wharton School of Business, AfroTech Executive, Anheuser-Busch, Social Innovation Summit, UBS Investment Bank, Syracuse University, New York University and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.

Kori received her undergraduate degree in Finance from Hampton University and a Masters degree in Broadcast Digital Journalism from Syracuse University. Her universal service includes being an advisory board member for the True Culture Venture Capital Fund and National Bankers Association. She is passionate about the importance of the arts and community involvement. As a board director for Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Kori is part of a generation of emerging arts supporters.

Danisha Lomax – EVP, Head of Client Inclusivity & Impact @ Digitas North America
Danisha Lomax is an outstanding and dedicated speaker, creator, and innovator. Her mission is to ensure that unheard stories are given a platform because she believes that storytelling is essential for change. As the inaugural Head of Client Inclusivity and Impact at Digitas North America, she identified a need to help Digitas’ clients, partners, and people shift behaviors and dollars where it matters most. Danisha is committed to crafting initiatives that prioritize authenticity, cultural influence, and meaningful change.

Through her leadership, Danisha leads, shapes, and collaborates with the Multicultural Center of Excellence to steer clients toward a more inclusive journey centered on culture, community, and accountability. Her approach has garnered numerous accolades, including induction into AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement (2024), ADCOLOR Rockstar Nominee (2023), AdMonsters + AdExchanger Top Women in Media, DE&I Champion (2023), CampaignUS Media Planner of the Year (2021), Cynopsis Top Women in Social Media and Female Frontier, Championing Change (2020).

Ashwini Karandikar – EVP, Media, Tech & Data @ 4As