We’re kicking off a brand-new season with a new name, a fresh look, and an expanded mission—welcome to Experts Empowering Experts ! In this episode, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Jackie Lord, Founding Principal and CEO of Elevate Consulting Group, for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and the human element behind business success. They dive into the transformative impact of the Culture Index, explore the difference between good and great leadership, and unpack what Jackie calls a...
Apr 09, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Dec 30, 2024•53 min
Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production
Nov 04, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Ken Harlan, Founder and CEO of MobileFuse, one of the leading in-app advertising platforms in the U.S. They dive into the current state of in-app advertising, the transition to Connected TV (CTV), and what it means to be sustainable in this industry. Ken's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenharlan/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website:...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Gareth Glaser, CEO of Gamera, Inc, about important topics spanning from the state of the open web to the demonization of paid traffic Gareth's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethglaser/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Jul 10, 2024•39 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Nick Hill, Head of Programmatic EMEA for EssenceMediacom, about the buy-side perspective of the industry as it stands today and the importance of company culture and "getting out of the way". Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hill-776b0b44/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Product...
May 07, 2024•31 min
In this special episode in honor of Women's History Month, our host Kurt Donnell is joined by Freestar CRO, Heather Carver as they chat with special guest Julia Wilson, VP of Ad Partnerships and Product Strategy at Automattic. They dive into the changes in business strategy post-Automattic's purchase of Tumblr, Julia's involvement with women's organizations like Chief and Nerdy Girl Success, and the reality of Imposter Syndrome as a woman in tech. Julia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/i...
Mar 29, 2024•34 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Keith Petri, CEO and Founder of lockr about the lockr story, the future of identity and authenticated traffic, and the importance of taking that first step in business. Keith's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpetri/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Feb 27, 2024•35 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Ian Baer, Founder of Sooth about the evolving emotional landscape of today's consumers, the unique buying behaviors of Gen-Z, and the psyche of marketing. Ian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbaer/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Jan 31, 2024•37 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Ratko Vidakovic about the cost of sustainability, the reality of AI, and everything publishers should expect in 2024. Ratko's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratkovidakovic/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Dec 28, 2023•34 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Neala Brown, SVP, of Strategy and Insights at Teads, about agency side vs supply side, media quality, and omni-channel campaigns. Neala's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neala-brown-7622037/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Nov 29, 2023•28 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Terence Kawaja, CEO and Founder of LUMA Partners, about the delay in maturation of the ad tech industry, trends that are here to stay and tips for entrepreneurship. Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelinaeng/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Nov 07, 2023•33 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Angelina Eng, VP of Measurement, Addressability & Data Center at IAB about defining attention, a potential shift to digital invoicing, and finally updating the terms and conditions after 14 years. Angelina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelinaeng/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Oct 07, 2023•26 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Matt Prohaska, CEO and Principal of Prohaska Consulting about what's trending in the industry, how many SSPs are too many SSPs, and his ranking of the most beneficial conferences in Ad Tech. Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattprohaska/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Oct 03, 2023•40 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Mike Racic, President and Board Member of Prebid.org, about his company, the rise of CTV, and the irony of sustainability in our industry. Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeracic/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Jul 12, 2023•30 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Jess Breslav, Chief Customer Officer at Index Exchange, about sustainability, the healthy push and pull of SSPs & DSPs, and prioritizing trends. Jess's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-breslav-9b4aa0/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
May 31, 2023•27 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Chris Kane, Founder of Jounce Media, an industry leader in programmatic supply chain management about why Jounce came to be, what it takes for true supply path optimization, the tipping point of bid jamming. Natrian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherfkane/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Apr 27, 2023•39 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Natrian Maxwell, GM of the Emerging Channels at The Trade Desk, about his thoughts on what will be coming to fruition in the next 3-5 years, the value of social, and finding your passion later in life. Natrian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natrianmaxwell/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Mar 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 42
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Brandon Caudill, VP of Business Development at Pushly, about his impressive career path, the future of Push notifications, and never acting like the smartest person in the room. Brandon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncaudill/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Feb 23, 2023•36 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Mathieu Roche, Co-founder & CEO at ID5.io, about what 2023 has in store for identity, the death of the cookie, and taking the leap. Mathieu's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathieuroche/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Jan 24, 2023•32 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Rob Beeler, Founder & CEO of Beeler.Tech, about his two decades in the industry, founding his business, and what publishers can do about the deprivation of cookies right now. Rob's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertabeeler/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Dec 20, 2022•29 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Neal Pecchenino, Founder & President of Boxi, the largest truck advertising company in the country about the truck advertising industry, his journey through entrepreneurship and the importance of never overpromising. Neal's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-pecchenino/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Nov 22, 2022•38 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Lashanne Phang, Senior Director of Mobile, and Nicole Scaglione, VP, of OTT/CTV from Pubmatic about the changes in both the mobile and CTV industries, how buyers are adapting and whether it's best to adopt patience or take the leap. Lashanne's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashanne-phang/ Nicole's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolescaglione/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@fre...
Oct 18, 2022•33 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Matt Greenberg, SVP, Head of Brand Partnerships at Food52 and one of Freestar's long-term partners, about his shift from digital to events, the rise of influencer marketing, and the power of patience. Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-greenberg-567758a/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Sep 20, 2022•37 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Frank Maggio, CEO & Managing Director of React LLC. Hear how despite being able to retire at the age of 25 after cashing in over 20 million dollars, Frank ultimately decides to live out his mission to change advertising for good. You don't want to miss it! Frank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-maggio/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A...
Aug 23, 2022•35 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Gina Perino, VP of Ad Operations & Strategy at Blavity Inc., about what Blavity is doing for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the difficulty in delegating that no one speaks about and what makes a team truly successful. Gina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaperino/ Watch Looking for a Sign: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SzSCIbOVwZ4 Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freesta...
Jul 19, 2022•33 min
In this special episode of the podcast, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Freestar's Founder, David Freedman about his founder story, including hiring the right people, almost going out of business, and earning the coveted #1 spot on the Inc. 5000 list. David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freedmandavid/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Jun 22, 2022•35 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Travis Clinger, Senior Vice President of Addressability and Ecosystem at LiveRamp, about international changes relating to consent and privacy, tips for publishers to scale their audience, and the importance of going the extra mile. Travis's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-clinger/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Producti...
May 24, 2022•33 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Julian Baring, Adform‘s Regional President of the Americas, about a new shift in the industry, the benefits and challenges of operating overseas, and the importance of a strong company culture. Julian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianbaring/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #PublisherFirst Production...
Apr 19, 2022•30 min
In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Pilar Prassas, Global Head of Revenue Operations at Reuters, one of the largest news agencies in the world, about the downside to blocklists, the cookieless world from the publisher’s point of view, and choosing the right outsourced partner. Pilar's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pilar-prassas-664a40/ Podcast Website: https://anchor.fm/freestar Learn more about Freestar Email: podcast@freestar.com Website: http://freestar.com/ A #Publisher...
Mar 15, 2022•24 min
