Inside Programmatic: Meet Paul Tapscott, Director, Programmatic Ads Sales

Paul Tapscott is one of the founding members of Pinterest’s Programmatic Ads Sales team. Joining us in November 2025, Paul has hit the ground running creating important processes, driving impact for his advertising partners and now building out his team. Learn more about what led him to the company, how the Programmatic team operates, and his advice to those interested in a career at Pinterest. 

What drew you to Pinterest, and what’s been most energizing since joining?

I joined Pinterest because I wanted to work at a company where the values show up in the day-to-day. The focus on acting as one team and creating belonging really resonated with how I try to lead. I was drawn to the idea of building a more positive corner of the internet - one that inspires people, celebrates creativity, and feels optimistic about what’s possible. 

I was also excited about the chance to help build what comes next. This has been the most energizing part of my journey since joining; the opportunity to roll up our sleeves, experiment, and build new programmatic solutions made it feel like the right place to do my best work.

What does your org own day-to-day, and how does that work ladder up to the broader programmatic vision?

My team owns the responsibility of bringing advertiser and programmatic demand into Pinterest. We achieve this goal by listening to our partners in order to customize solutions that will meet their needs and help them deliver on their wider business objectives. 

How do you build clarity on roles and ownership on a newer team where the playbook is still being written?

On a newer team where the playbook is still being written, I try to anchor people in very clear areas of ownership and goals —who’s driving what, how success is defined, and how it ladders up to our broader vision. I also place a high value on staying adaptable, empathetic, and open to new data and perspectives so we can adjust roles and approaches in a way that works for both our internal teams and our external partners.

What’s one thing you’d recommend candidates do to prepare for an interview with your team?

I always recommend candidates spend real time in our product before we meet; use Pinterest the way our users and advertisers would, and come in with a clear point of view on our value proposition. It’s equally important to understand the wider programmatic ecosystem and be ready to connect your experience to where Pinterest fits and where you see opportunity. I’m also looking for your authentic perspective: every candidate brings something unique from their background that can make our team better, and the interview is a chance to lean into that. So prepare your POV, know the space, and then show up as your true self. 

How are you currently using Pinterest to find inspiration? 

Honestly, I’m using Pinterest right now mostly as a coffee nerd; I’m always looking for the newest gear, from grinders to espresso machines. I’ve got a board going just for coffee bar designs, saving setups and ideas for how I want my own coffee corner at home to look and feel.

Inspired by Paul's story and interested in joining his team? Discover openings with Pinterest Sales here.