Open to opportunities

Connor Pray

@connorpray

Programmatic Trading Manager who optimizes performance across DSPs while leading teams and testing new partners to improve results.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead programmatic trading, mentor traders, and keep improving campaign performance through testing and collaboration across major DSPs—while driving clear KPI results for clients.

I’m a Programmatic Trading Manager focused on driving pacing and performance across multiple accounts, troubleshooting in-flight issues, and improving outcomes through disciplined testing. At WPP Media, I manage up to six accounts with a combined annual media budget of over $35,000,000 and lead the team’s workload and priorities.

I build and optimize programmatic media campaigns across The Trade Desk, DV360, Amazon, Yahoo, Quantcast, and Xandr DSPs. I oversee QA for campaign launches and use KPIs like CTR, VCR, and viewability to guide optimization decisions, while also maintaining brand safety blacklists.

Earlier in my career, I expanded my strategy and execution experience as a Co-founder/Talent Buyer/Marketing Director, planning paid social campaigns with Facebook Ads Manager and ToneDen to drive ticket sales and coordinating grassroots and organic marketing with street teams, giveaways, and influencers. I also built client-facing reporting and execution experience as a Media Buyer and Programmatic Strategist, including billing reconciliation in Prisma and campaign work in DV360, Spectra OX, and for linear television, CTV, and OTT.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Manager, Programmatic Trading

WPP Media

Aug 2023 - Apr 2026 (2 years 8 months)

Managed programmatic trading accounts, overseeing pacing, performance, and troubleshooting. Led training and devised tests/projects (including supply path optimization and AI/tech partner testing) to improve campaign performance.

Programmatic Trading Account Management Supply Path Optimization Best Practice Documentation AI Partner Testing Performance Optimization

Senior Associate, Programmatic Trading

WPP Media

Apr 2022 - Aug 2023 (1 year 4 months)

Built programmatic media campaigns across multiple DSPs and managed QA for campaign launches. Optimized campaigns against KPI goals including CTR, VCR, and viewability.

Programmatic Media The Trade Desk DV360 Amazon DSP Yahoo Quantcast Xandr Campaign Optimization CTR VCR

Co-founder / Talent Buyer

Gaia Group, LLC

Nov 2019 - Jul 2023 (3 years 8 months)

Co-founded Gaia Group, leading paid social and event/marketing efforts to drive ticket sales and revenue. Coordinated grassroots/organic promotions and event operations, booking and advancing 10 events generating over $123,000.

Toneden Paid Social Campaigns Facebook Ads Manager ToneDen Organic Marketing Street Teams Influencer Marketing Event Promotion Event Operations Hospitality

Associate Programmatic Strategist

Campbell Ewald

Dec 2020 - Apr 2021 (4 months)

Built, managed, and optimized Display, OLV, and CTV programmatic campaigns in DV360. Analyzed DV360 data to create campaign summary reports, maintained brand safety blacklists, and reconciled billing invoices in Prisma.

DV360 Programmatic CTV Campaign Optimization Data Analysis Brand Safety Blacklists Prisma

Media Buyer

Campbell Ewald

Oct 2017 - Dec 2020 (3 years 2 months)

Negotiated pricing and added value activations with local and national vendors for DRTV and linear/CTV/OTT buys. Booked spot buys via Spectra OX, monitored and optimized stations to meet budget/performance goals, and cleared/reconciled invoices in Spectra OX and Prisma.

Media Buying Negotiation DRTV Spot Buys Spectra OX Prisma Linear TV CTV OTT

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business

Bachelor of Business Administration, Advertising and Promotion

Earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at Western Michigan University (Haworth College of Business), majoring in Advertising and Promotion and minoring in General Business; graduated April 2017.