PulsePoint’s Programmatic Trader Hall of Fame: Max Vignola

PulsePoint’s Trader Hall of Fame honors individuals advancing programmatic healthcare advertising. Our inductees demonstrate their expertise in using PulsePoint’s Life platform day in and day out. With their skills, they ensure that lifesaving treatments reach healthcare professionals and patients precisely at the moments that matter to drive real outcomes.

To kick off 2026, PulsePoint is excited to induct Max Vignola, Associate Director of Programmatic at PHM, to our Trader Hall of Fame.

Being recognized as part of the Trader Hall of Fame is, in Max’s words, “one of the biggest honors” of his career so far, a meaningful milestone that reflects years of relationship-building, curiosity, and dedication to the craft. Read on to learn more about Max’s journey to programmatic, the people he credits for his career success, and what he loves most about partnering with PulsePoint.

Max’s path to programmatic healthcare marketing

Max’s career in programmatic media buying wasn’t one he anticipated, but following this unexpected path has made the journey all that more special.

Max graduated from Bentley University in 2020 with a major in marketing and minors in finance and psychology. Graduating during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge, as companies globally were reassessing next steps in an uncertain landscape.

His career break came through a personal connection: his best friend’s older sister (and his former babysitter.) Katie O’Reilly worked on the programmatic team at PHM and let him know about an exciting new opportunity. That introduction changed everything.

Shortly after, Max began his career at PHM in programmatic. What Max didn’t realize was what started as a job would become a passion because it’s the perfect blend of everything he studied.

“I didn’t quite know it at the time, but programmatic and media activation is sort of the perfect blend,” he said.

Max’s favorite parts of programmatic and pharma marketing

Max didn’t hesitate for a second when he said the most rewarding part of his job is the community. The people he started his career with have become industry leaders, clients, and long-term collaborators. He said that he’s been lucky to build genuine friendships while also doing meaningful, innovative work, and that’s what makes programmatic media, and pharma in particular, stand out.

Max credited the culture at PHM and within the broader programmatic pharma ecosystem for changing his perception of what his career could look like.

“Every day is different and being able to do innovative things with a group of people who push you to be better while also having fun has absolutely changed my life,” Max said. “I'm grateful and it’s very special what we get to do.”

Max’s advice for newcomers to programmatic media

The top piece of advice Max wants to share with newcomers to programmatic is to “be a total sponge”, ask a lot of questions, and approach every opportunity with a learning mindset.

“Soak in every single thing people more experienced than you are discussing, push to be involved in every conversation you can listen in on, ask every single question you can so you can be the person that people go to when they need to know something,” Max said.

Max and his PulsePoint experience

Max described PulsePoint as a partner that consistently helps him achieve for clients. From platform usability to expert support, he emphasized how PulsePoint’s team and tools elevate the quality of the work.

“You have experts that have been there for years and know the DSP inside out and it makes my job easier,” Max said.

Max also said the PulsePoint HCP Clinical Insights feature has made a significant and positive impact for clients this year.

“No DSP feature has made more of an impact for our clients this year than the HCP Clinical Insights tool. Being able to directly correlate prescriber TRx behavior with how a new tactic is performing in real time with daily trend lines, specialties, and geographic information has been a total game changer in diving deeper and being more nimble in how our HCP campaigns are being activated,” Max said.

And, of course, no PulsePoint conversation would be complete without a nod to Milkshake, our beloved mascot, whom Max described as a constant source of reassurance and joy.

“My apartment and all of my wardrobe is filled with Milkshake. I have coasters. I have a backpack. I have a t-shirt. I have sweatpants. I love Milkshake. I live and breathe Milkshake. He’s my idol,” Max explained.

Max’s interests outside of the office

Max’s favorite way to spend his free time is attending concerts. He’s seen a range of artists including Sabrina Carpenter, Fergie, and Gracie Abrams, though he gave a special shout-out to Big Time Rush, the ultimate boy band and his first-ever concert.

“I haven’t seen their comeback tour and it’s actually pretty disappointing,” Max said.

Outside of concerts and live events, you’ll also find Max going to the gym, following fantasy sports, exploring Chelsea Piers, or going on a side quest to find the best iced mocha with skim milk in town.

A note of gratitude from Max

Max was quick to emphasize that none of his success is achieved alone. He credited his mentors, managers, and especially his current team for their support and collaboration.

“I want to shout out Amelia Kienzle, Johnny Bracco, Joe Barcia, and Mark Eschen. They are my amazing team that puts up with me every day,” Max said. “None of the crazy brainstorming and testing I want to do would be possible without them.”

Please join me in congratulating Max on his induction into the PulsePoint Trader Hall of Fame.