Veteran Technology Executives to Drive Strategic Growth and Innovation

SearchStax, a leading company in search experience solutions, has strengthened its leadership team by appointing two esteemed industry leaders, Brad Allen and Carol Meyers, to its Board of Directors. These appointments reflect SearchStax's dedication to driving growth and innovation in the technology landscape.

• Brad Allen's Appointment

  • Brad Allen is a technology executive with over 40 years of experience.
  • He is an expert in artificial intelligence and has successfully founded three enterprise software startups in Los Angeles.
  • Two of his startups achieved successful exits, demonstrating his expertise in leading innovative ventures.
  • Brad began his career as a knowledge engineer during the expert systems era, positioning him at the forefront of technological advancements.
  • His deep understanding of AI and enterprise software will play a crucial role in guiding SearchStax through the evolving technology landscape.

• Carol Meyers' Appointment

  • Carol Meyers is an experienced board director and leader in the technology industry.
  • She has a strong background in marketing, sales, and corporate strategy, particularly in scaling high-growth technology companies.
  • Carol served as Chief Marketing Officer for Rapid7 and LogMeIn, where she drove significant revenue growth and led successful IPOs.
  • Her experience in establishing brands in competitive markets will be instrumental as SearchStax continues to expand its market presence.

• CEO's Statement

  • SearchStax CEO, Sameer Maggon, expressed his enthusiasm for the new board members.
  • He highlighted the significance of Brad’s AI and software innovation expertise and Carol’s success in scaling technology companies.
  • Their combined knowledge will be essential in enhancing SearchStax's product offerings and expanding its presence in the search experience sector.

The addition of Brad Allen and Carol Meyers to the SearchStax Board of Directors marks a strategic move for the company as it prepares for its next phase of growth. Their expertise in AI, software development, marketing, and corporate strategy will be pivotal in driving innovation and expanding SearchStax’s market influence.

Leading Socure's Public Sector Business to 105% YoY Growth in 2024, Thompson Will Drive Transformative Results Across Market Segments and Geographies

Socure, a leader in AI-driven digital identity verification, sanctions screening, and fraud prevention, has promoted Matt Thompson to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Previously serving as Senior Vice President and GM of the public sector business, Thompson will now lead all revenue-generating and partner-facing operations across Socure's commercial and government sectors.

• Matt Thompson's Promotion and Role

  • Matt Thompson is promoted from SVP and GM of Public Sector to CRO at Socure.
  • He will oversee revenue-generating functions across both commercial and government sectors.
  • Thompson joined Socure three years ago and significantly expanded the company’s presence in the public sector.
  • Under his leadership, Socure has grown to serve over 30 federal and state government agencies, as well as higher education institutions.

• Socure's Growth and Global Reach

  • Socure is experiencing significant growth, now serving over 2,500 customers across various industries.
  • The company’s global customer base spans more than 190 countries, reflecting its strong international presence.
  • Notable customers include Capital One, Citi, Chime, Robinhood, and multiple U.S. state governments.
  • Socure’s AI-powered platform is recognized for delivering accurate and inclusive identity verification and fraud prevention solutions.

• CEO's Praise for Thompson

  • Johnny Ayers, founder and CEO of Socure, praised Thompson's transformative leadership and dedication.
  • Ayers highlighted Thompson’s integrity, energy, and commitment to continuous learning as key factors in his promotion.
  • Thompson’s "Team of Teams" leadership approach has been instrumental in scaling Socure's public sector operations.

• Thompson's Vision and Experience

  • Thompson views his role as CRO as the culmination of nearly 15 years in the digital identity market.
  • He is committed to driving Socure's expansion into new verticals while strengthening its position in core markets.
  • Thompson’s experience includes roles at IDEMIA, co-founding ID.me, and positions at McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, and Capital One.
  • He is also a U.S. Army veteran with four combat deployments, where he developed the "Team of Teams" leadership approach.

Matt Thompson's promotion to CRO at Socure marks a pivotal moment for the company as it continues its rapid growth. His leadership and experience will be crucial in driving Socure's expansion into new markets and reinforcing its position as a leader in digital identity verification and fraud prevention.

Magel will leverage his 30+ years of media and advertising experience to help the world’s largest agencies take advantage of FreeWheel’s advanced advertising solutions to best serve its ad clients

FreeWheel, a global technology platform serving the TV industry, has appointed Kris Magel as the Head of Global Agency Partnerships. In this role, Magel will spearhead agency collaborations, driving strategic relationships and optimizing the commercialization framework for agency partnerships worldwide. He will work closely with the executive leadership team to identify and capitalize on revenue growth opportunities.

• Kris Magel's Role and Responsibilities

  • Kris Magel has been named Head of Global Agency Partnerships at FreeWheel.
  • He will oversee agency collaborations and lead the company’s commercialization structure for global agency partnerships.
  • Magel will be based in New York and report directly to Katy Loria, U.S. Chief Revenue Officer of FreeWheel.
  • His role involves driving collaboration between publishers and agency partners, which are crucial to FreeWheel’s operations.

• Background and Experience of Kris Magel

  • Magel is a seasoned leader in the media and advertising industry with decades of experience.
  • Prior to joining FreeWheel, he was Head of Agency and Publisher Solutions at Samba TV, where he advised on the use of TV data, audience, identity, and measurement solutions.
  • He also served as President, Media Clients at dentsu and held various leadership roles at IPG, including President of Initiative and Chief Investment Officer.
  • Magel is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, bringing a strong educational foundation to his extensive industry experience.

• Executive Leadership's Perspective

  • Katy Loria, U.S. Chief Revenue Officer of FreeWheel, emphasized Magel’s ability to foster collaboration and drive strategic growth initiatives.
  • Loria highlighted Magel’s energy in creating cross-media solutions and his history of scaling partnerships and enhancing client satisfaction.
  • She believes Magel's leadership will be pivotal in uncovering new strategic opportunities for FreeWheel and advancing the TV advertising ecosystem.

• Magel's Enthusiasm for the Role

  • Kris Magel expressed excitement about joining the leadership team at FreeWheel.
  • He looks forward to contributing to what he describes as a leading end-to-end advanced advertising solution in a premium advertising environment.

Kris Magel’s appointment as Head of Global Agency Partnerships at FreeWheel marks a strategic move for the company as it aims to strengthen agency collaborations and drive revenue growth. With his extensive experience in the media and advertising industry, Magel is well-positioned to lead FreeWheel's global agency partnerships and contribute to the company’s ongoing success in the TV advertising space.

Publisher Technology Platform Appoints Katie Derr as Chief Financial Officer and Trish Gerlitz as Chief People Officer

Sovrn, a leading publisher technology platform, has announced the appointments of Katie Derr as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Trish Gerlitz as Chief People Officer (CPO). Both will join the company's leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Walter Knapp, and will be based in Sovrn's Boulder office. These appointments are key to driving organizational effectiveness and enhancing the company's growth and employee experience.

• Katie Derr's Role and Responsibilities as CFO

  • Katie Derr has been named Chief Financial Officer at Sovrn.
  • She will oversee corporate finance, accounting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and legal operations.
  • Derr's role is vital in supporting Sovrn's mission to empower publishers to thrive on the open web.
  • She brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as CFO and COO at GEM Health Inc. and CFO at Techstars.

• Trish Gerlitz's Role and Responsibilities as CPO

  • Trish Gerlitz has been appointed Chief People Officer at Sovrn.
  • She will focus on expanding the capabilities of Sovrn's workforce and scaling the business.
  • Gerlitz will develop a People Team aimed at ensuring an exceptional experience for employees, which in turn benefits customers.
  • Her experience includes leading HR teams at CrossFit, the City of Boulder, Datalogix, and Requisite.

• CEO's Perspective on the Appointments

  • Walter Knapp, CEO of Sovrn, expressed excitement about the addition of Derr and Gerlitz to the leadership team.
  • Knapp highlighted their exceptional talent and ability to drive growth and efficiency within the company.
  • He emphasized the importance of their roles in maintaining the operational and cultural excellence at Sovrn.

• Background and Experience of Katie Derr

  • Derr has a strong background in finance and technology, with significant experience in the startup space.
  • At GEM Health Inc., she led business strategy and financial planning.
  • During her tenure at Techstars, Derr contributed to expanding access to entrepreneurship by growing accelerator programs and assets under management.

• Background and Experience of Trish Gerlitz

  • Gerlitz has a deep background in human resources, with a focus on fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture.
  • At CrossFit, she served as Vice President of People, managing the HR department.
  • Her work at the City of Boulder included participation in the Racial Equity Guiding Coalition, further showcasing her commitment to organizational improvement.

The appointments of Katie Derr as CFO and Trish Gerlitz as CPO mark a significant step forward for Sovrn as it continues to grow and enhance its operations. With their extensive experience in finance, technology, and human resources, Derr and Gerlitz are well-equipped to help Sovrn achieve its mission of empowering publishers and maintaining a thriving, people-focused culture.

Data Decisions Group (DDG), a leading provider of data, analytics, and behind-the-firewall MarTech solutions, has announced the appointment of Graham McWhorter as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, McWhorter will be responsible for driving DDG’s strategic vision, operational excellence, and overall business growth across all areas.

• Graham McWhorter’s Role and Responsibilities

  • Graham McWhorter joins DDG as President and COO, bringing a wealth of experience in driving growth and enhancing operational performance.
  • He will oversee key operational functions including sales, marketing, product development, customer success, finance, and human resources.
  • McWhorter will play a critical role in scaling DDG’s proprietary solutions, such as REACH and marketing lakehouses, which help clients optimize marketing ROI while protecting data privacy.

• CEO’s Perspective on McWhorter’s Appointment

  • Mike Hail, CEO and founder of DDG, praised McWhorter’s dynamic leadership and proven track record in growth and strategic initiatives.
  • Hail highlighted McWhorter’s experience in developing tech-enabled marketing solutions and leading high-growth companies as key to DDG’s continued expansion.

• Background and Experience of Graham McWhorter

  • Prior to joining DDG, McWhorter served as CEO of 3S Health, where his strategies led to the company’s successful acquisition.
  • He also spent six years at private equity firm American Securities, leading commercial excellence across the firm’s portfolio.
  • McWhorter has a background with McKinsey & Company and started his career in merchandising at The Home Depot.
  • He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics and Public Policy Studies from Duke University.

• McWhorter’s Vision for DDG

  • McWhorter expressed excitement about leading DDG and contributing to its innovative, privacy-first marketing solutions.
  • He emphasized the importance of DDG’s offerings in healthcare, insurance, financial services, and other industries for improving marketing ROI.
  • McWhorter looks forward to collaborating with DDG’s team to drive growth and innovation in line with the company’s mission.

Graham McWhorter’s appointment as President and COO marks a significant step for DDG as it continues to expand its data-driven, privacy-focused marketing solutions. With his extensive experience in operational leadership and strategic growth, McWhorter is well-positioned to drive DDG’s vision and deliver superior value to its customers.

Liminal, a global leader in market and competitive intelligence, has unveiled its 2024 Digital Identity Landscape, featuring a groundbreaking new use case taxonomy. This release builds on Liminal's tradition of thought leadership and introduces the Market Monitor, an innovative feature on the award-winning Link platform. The new developments are designed to enhance how businesses understand and navigate the digital identity ecosystem, providing strategic insights and actionable intelligence.

• 2024 Digital Identity Landscape

  • New Use Case Taxonomy:

    • The 2024 Landscape introduces a proprietary use case taxonomy that maps technical features to product capabilities.
    • This taxonomy aligns features with solution segments, use cases, domains, and universes, providing a structured, layered approach to understanding market relationships.
    • The Golden Cog methodology identifies dominant solutions in fragmented markets, helping businesses capitalize on emerging opportunities.

  • Expansion into Cybersecurity:

    • The Landscape now includes detailed insights into the cybersecurity sector.
    • IT Security is broken into granular categories such as Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).
    • This expansion offers deeper insights into the nuances of the cybersecurity market.

• Market Monitor Feature

  • Introduction and Capabilities:

    • Market Monitor is a new feature on Liminal's Link platform, recently awarded the 2024 Stevie Award for Technology Excellence.
    • It provides a blend of proprietary insights and real-time market signals, offering clarity and depth in market analysis.
    • The feature uses Liminal's multi-dimensional tagging schema to categorize and analyze data based on entities, themes, and industry-specific nuances.

  • Benefits for Different Stakeholders:

    • Solution Providers: Gain targeted market insights, optimized competitive analysis, and real-time sales intelligence.
    • Enterprises: Accelerate vendor discovery, detect emerging technologies, and make faster, informed decisions.
    • Investors: Streamline deal discovery, enhance analysis efficiency, and proactively engage with market trends.

• CEO and President Insights

  • Travis Jarae, CEO of Liminal:

    • Highlighted the growing importance of AI-driven solutions, end-to-end platform capabilities, and integrated services.
    • Noted a rise in collaborative data-sharing practices for Anti-Money Laundering and a surge in private equity investments.

  • Jennie Berry, President of Liminal:

    • Emphasized the breakthrough nature of the new use case taxonomy, which simplifies the understanding of evolving identity solutions.
    • Stressed the importance of connecting new technologies with practical applications for confident decision-making.

Liminal's 2024 Digital Identity Landscape and the new Market Monitor feature represent a significant advancement in market intelligence and competitive analysis. By introducing a refined use case taxonomy and enhancing its platform capabilities, Liminal aims to provide businesses, enterprises, and investors with the tools needed to navigate the evolving digital identity landscape and stay ahead of market trends.

HUMAN Advantage Partner Program opens new revenue streams for channel partners by offering protection from online fraud and AI-driven bot attacks across the entire digital journey

HUMAN Security, Inc., a global leader in cybersecurity, has introduced the HUMAN Advantage Partner Program, a global channel network designed to enhance partner growth and profitability. This new program offers high rewards and margins through a three-tier structure, focusing on annualized bookings, training, and retention. The initiative reflects HUMAN’s commitment to a partner-first strategy, aiming to expand the reach of its fraud protection solutions globally.

• Overview of the HUMAN Advantage Partner Program

  • Three-Tier Structure:
    • Designed to align with evolving market economics.
    • Structured around annualized bookings, partner training, and retention.
  • Partner Benefits:
    • High rewards and margins for engagement and customer retention.
    • Enablement to effectively qualify, position, and win HUMAN’s solutions across Advertising, Application, and Account surfaces.
    • Joint engagement in planning, marketing, and selling activities.
    • Quarterly "proposal-based" marketing funds for demand generation.
    • Deal registration and incumbency protection for partners.

• HUMAN Defense Platform

  • Capabilities:
    • Provides insights into over 20 trillion digital interactions each week across three billion devices a month.
    • Helps brands stop, detect, and respond to cyber attacks with speed and accuracy.
    • Observes threat patterns to make proactive decisions, ensuring protection against advertising fraud, bot attacks, and account fraud.

• Partner Testimonials

  • Nate Ungerott, CEO of Consortium Networks:
    • Praised HUMAN Security’s comprehensive coverage and support in defending against sophisticated fraud techniques.
  • Tuan Nguyen, Head of Worldwide Partnerships & Alliances at HUMAN Security:
    • Emphasized the integral role of partners in driving predictable growth and protecting the digital customer journey.

• Recognition and Leadership

  • Forrester Wave™ Recognition:
    • HUMAN named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Bot Management Software, Q3 2024.
    • Top scores in “Detection Models,” “Mobile App and API Protection,” and “Vision.”
  • G2 Rankings:
    • HUMAN ranked #1 in G2’s Summer 2024 Grid for Bot Detection and Mitigation solutions.
  • Leadership Team:
    • Includes CEO Stu Solomon, CRO Chris Scanlan, and CMO May Mitchell, who bring extensive experience in global marketing, partnerships, and cybersecurity.

The HUMAN Advantage Partner Program represents a significant step forward in strengthening partner relationships and expanding the reach of HUMAN’s fraud protection solutions. By offering high rewards, extensive support, and a structured approach to partner engagement, HUMAN Security aims to drive growth and ensure comprehensive protection against digital threats across various surfaces.

Zefr, a global leader in brand suitability targeting and measurement for walled garden environments, has announced an expansion of its AI-Powered Brand Safety and Suitability Verification solution on YouTube. This update now includes YouTube Shorts inventory and Demand Gen and Performance Max campaigns. This move enhances Zefr's long-standing partnership with YouTube, providing independent and transparent safety and suitability reporting to advertisers.

• Expansion of AI-Powered Verification Solution

  • New Features:
    • YouTube Shorts:
      • Inclusion of Shorts inventory in brand safety and suitability verification
    • Demand Gen and Performance Max Campaigns:
      • Coverage for these advertising formats
  • Objective:
    • Deepen partnership with YouTube
    • Provide comprehensive, transparent reporting for advertisers

• Importance for Advertisers

  • Shift from Linear TV:
    • Increased investment in YouTube
    • Need for confidence in ad placements
  • AI-Driven Measurement:
    • Ensures ads appear in high-impact environments
    • Mitigates risks associated with unsuitable placements

• Quotes and Insights

  • Rich Raddon, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Zefr:
    • Emphasizes the need for increased confidence in ad placements as investment shifts to YouTube
    • Highlights the expanded AI-driven measurement capabilities for YouTube Shorts and other campaign types

Zefr's expanded AI-Powered Brand Safety and Suitability Verification solution enhances advertiser confidence by ensuring that ads on YouTube Shorts, Demand Gen, and Performance Max campaigns are served in suitable and high-impact environments. This development strengthens Zefr's partnership with YouTube, providing valuable transparency and safety for advertisers.