PulsePoint’s Trader Hall of Fame: Ava Travella

We are proud to partner with hardworking clients who are pushing the boundaries of programmatic and putting the right medications in front of HCPs and patients at the right time. PulsePoint established the Trader Hall of Fame to highlight their efforts and give others a closer look at the individuals shaping this quickly evolving industry. This month, we welcome Ava Travella, senior programmatic strategist at Good Apple, to the Trader Hall of Fame.

Ava’s journey to programmatic healthcare marketing

Ava found herself gravitating toward marketing early on, as she has “always been captivated by the power of storytelling,” she said. “Advertising lies at the intersection of creativity and strategy, where innovative thinking meets data-driven decision-making.”

While getting her advertising degree from Syracuse University’s SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, Ava worked with various organizations and companies in the advertising space. However, the highlight of her college professional experience was her summer internship with Good Apple. Shortly after the growth-focused and rewarding internship, she went on to join the team full time. The rest is history. 

‍Ava’s favorite parts of the job

When it comes to working at Good Apple, Ava’s favorite aspects of the job are the people and the atmosphere they create. “Good Apple is amazing at creating a truly collaborative and supportive environment where innovation flourishes,” she said.

Ava further enjoys the endless learning opportunities in the day-to-day work. “The dynamic nature of programmatic keeps me constantly learning,” she said. Ava also likes solving complex problems and optimizing in real time, as seeing the tangible impact of those efforts is priceless.

“What’s special is knowing that our efforts can contribute to improving patient outcomes,” she said. “It makes the work all the more rewarding. Each campaign has the potential to make a significant impact on someone’s life, which is very fulfilling.”

Ava’s advice for newcomers to programmatic health marketing

For new programmatic marketers, Ava suggests subscribing to industry newsletters to stay informed. It’s a fast-paced world, so she also recommends taking advantage of trainings and webinars to keep up with the latest trends and innovations. “In an industry where fresh perspectives are everything, it’s essential to keep up with the constantly evolving media landscape and to be on the cutting edge of industry advancements.”

She also said it’s important to learn from the people around you and, if you can, find a mentor who can help guide your growth and career progression. Once you’ve found that mentor or knowledgeable peer, be sure to ask them “a million and one questions.”

In her own career path, the best advice she ever received was learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable. “Growth happens outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “The more you embrace challenges, the more opportunities you can create for yourself.”

Ava and PulsePoint

Ava’s favorite thing about PulsePoint is the supportive team behind the platform. She finds the team’s support to directly contribute to the success of her campaigns and appreciates their helpful and kind nature. 

On the PulsePoint platform itself, she said, “I appreciate how intuitive and user-friendly the DSP is without sacrificing on advanced capabilities.” According to Ava, one of the biggest “game changers” is “the exclusive technologies for HCP targeting, like SmartList that dynamically refines NPI lists based on real-time engagement and claims data.” She also enjoys the clinical insights dashboard and the ability it gives her to gain real-time visibility into campaign performance. “All of PulsePoint’s integrations are prioritized to support the eventual demise of the cookie in favor of first-party identifiers,” she added. “You’re always one step ahead.”

But, more than anything else, there’s one feature that never fails to brighten her day: Milkshake the cow, PulsePoint’s dancing mascot. “Definitely one of my favorite things is seeing Milkshake in the DSP. I just love Milkshake. She’s the best.”

Ava outside of work

Outside of the office, Ava enjoys spending time with friends and family whenever she can. She also loves traveling to new places and makes several trips each year, including an annual trip with longstanding friends. When the weather gets cold, Ava takes her skis and hits the slopes. And at home, she dabbles in baking and trying new recipes on her “quest to find the perfect banana bread recipe.”