VP of Inventory Partnerships at The Trade Desk
Sims is known for architecting supply path optimization strategy at The Trade Desk and for shaping how demand-side platforms structure and negotiate inventory partnerships with publishers and SSPs at scale.
Last updated Feb 27, 2026 by AI Enrichment
Tim Sims is one of the most influential figures in programmatic supply chain management, best known for leading inventory partnership strategy at The Trade Desk, the largest independent demand-side platform in digital advertising. As VP of Inventory Partnerships, he oversees the relationships that determine how The Trade Desk's clients access premium publisher inventory across the open internet, making him a central figure in the industry's ongoing effort to reduce supply chain complexity and improve transparency for advertisers and publishers alike. Sims has been a key driver of supply path optimization (SPO) as a discipline, helping to define how DSPs evaluate, select, and deepen relationships with supply-side platforms and publishers. His work has contributed to broader industry conversations about reducing auction duplication, improving bid efficiency, and ensuring that more advertiser dollars flow directly to quality content creators. He has represented The Trade Desk in high-stakes negotiations and strategic partnerships that have shaped the economics of programmatic inventory access. With deep roots in the programmatic ecosystem, Sims brings a nuanced understanding of both the technical and commercial dimensions of digital advertising supply. His perspective bridges publisher economics, platform infrastructure, and advertiser performance goals, positioning him as a trusted voice in industry forums and a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from SPO to the future of the open internet.
The Trade Desk