As publishers grapple with shrinking referral traffic, zero-click search, and the growing influence of large language models, OpenX is reshaping its leadership bench to double down on publisher monetization and strategy. The omnichannel supply-side platform has announced two key moves within its Publisher Development organization, signaling where it sees the next phase of growth coming from.

Akhil Savani has joined OpenX as Vice President of Publisher Development, while Rebecca Bonell, a longtime OpenX executive, has been promoted to Regional Vice President of Publisher Development, The Americas. Together, they will oversee how OpenX works with publishers to expand supply, unlock new revenue models, and navigate a rapidly shifting ad and data landscape.

A Strategic Bet on Publisher-Led Growth

The appointments come at a moment when publishers are under pressure from multiple directions. Search traffic is increasingly intercepted by AI-generated answers, audience data strategies are being reshaped by privacy regulation, and monetization is fragmenting across formats like CTV, audio, and digital out-of-home.

OpenX is positioning its publisher development team not just as a sales function, but as a strategic partner helping publishers articulate and defend the value of their inventory and data. The company says its continued investment in leadership talent and global infrastructure is designed to help publishers adapt to emerging technologies while accessing incremental monetization opportunities.

Savani Brings Buy-Side Perspective to the SSP

In his new role, Savani will oversee publisher business development and account management across the Americas. Working closely with Bonell, he will focus on expanding high-quality, direct publisher supply across CTV, video, display, native, DOOH, and audio—with particular emphasis on strengthening OpenX’s connected TV offering.

Savani joins OpenX after nearly a decade at The Trade Desk, where he led global inventory partnerships and operational teams. His experience on both sides of the auction is notable at a time when publishers are increasingly questioning how their inventory is valued in automated marketplaces.

That dual perspective is expected to play a key role as OpenX works with publishers, OEMs, content owners, and virtual MVPDs to drive differentiated demand in CTV—an area where transparency, data access, and yield optimization are top priorities.

Bonell Expands Her Mandate Across the Americas

Bonell’s promotion formalizes a role she has effectively been playing for years. With close to a decade at OpenX, she has been instrumental in building long-term relationships with many of the company’s most strategic publisher partners.

As Regional VP, she will lead publisher business development across the Americas, focusing on onboarding new supply while deepening collaboration with existing partners. Her remit includes helping publishers clearly communicate the value of their inventory and audiences in an increasingly complex, insight-driven marketplace.

Bonell has consistently emphasized quality and trust over sheer scale—a stance that aligns with OpenX’s broader positioning as an SSP focused on fair value exchange rather than volume-first monetization.

Why This Matters for the Market

These leadership changes reflect a broader shift in the ad tech ecosystem. As AI reshapes discovery and consumption, publishers are being forced to rethink how they monetize attention and data. SSPs that simply facilitate auctions are no longer enough; publishers are looking for partners that can help them navigate privacy constraints, optimize yield across formats, and maintain control over their businesses.

By strengthening its publisher development leadership, OpenX is signaling that it sees publisher success as central to its own growth—particularly in high-growth environments like CTV and mobile, where competition among platforms is intensifying.

The move also underscores how talent with deep cross-market experience is becoming increasingly valuable. Savani’s buy-side background and Bonell’s publisher-first approach suggest OpenX is aiming to bridge longstanding gaps between demand and supply, especially as AI-driven decisioning becomes more prevalent.

Looking Ahead

With Savani and Bonell working in tandem, OpenX appears to be betting on a more consultative, partnership-driven model for publisher engagement. As zero-click search and LLM-powered interfaces continue to erode traditional traffic models, that approach may prove critical for publishers looking to protect and grow revenue in the next phase of digital media.

For OpenX, the message is clear: publisher development isn’t just about selling inventory—it’s about helping publishers survive and compete in an AI-shaped internet.

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