Alyson Gausby
Head of Insights at Microsoft Advertising
Gausby is known for producing Microsoft Advertising's landmark research on digital attention and consumer behavior, most notably studies that quantified shrinking human attention spans in the digital era and their implications for advertising effectiveness.
Last updated Jun 11, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment
Alyson Gausby is best known for leading consumer insights at Microsoft Advertising and for producing some of the most widely cited research in the digital advertising industry, including influential studies on human attention spans in the digital age. Her work has helped reframe how advertisers and publishers think about audience engagement, content consumption, and the effectiveness of advertising formats across search, display, and native channels. The research she has championed has been referenced by major media outlets and industry bodies worldwide. Throughout her career at Microsoft, Gausby has built a reputation as a rigorous and accessible researcher who bridges the gap between data science and practical advertising strategy. Her insights work has directly informed Microsoft Advertising's product development and go-to-market positioning, while also contributing to broader industry conversations around measurement, attention metrics, and consumer trust in digital media. Gausby is a recognized voice in the Canadian and global AdTech community, frequently appearing at industry conferences and contributing to thought leadership that helps brands and agencies navigate the evolving digital landscape. Her focus on understanding how modern consumers interact with advertising — particularly in an era of fragmented attention and privacy-driven change — has made her a respected analyst and evangelist for evidence-based advertising strategy.
Consumer Insights Lead
Microsoft Canada (prior to current role)
Research & Insights Role
Microsoft (early career)
- Led Microsoft Advertising's widely cited 2015 attention span study, which garnered global media coverage including Time magazine and BBC, influencing industry discourse on digital engagement
- Built and scaled the consumer insights function at Microsoft Advertising, producing research that informs both product strategy and advertiser education
- Contributed to industry understanding of multi-screen consumer behavior and its implications for advertising planning
- Attention Spans (Microsoft Canada Consumer Insights, 2015)
- Various Microsoft Advertising research reports on digital consumer behavior and advertising effectiveness