Intro

In this episode, Jeremy Bloom sits down with Mike Hauptman, founder and CEO of AdLib, to explore how he’s redefining access to the programmatic advertising ecosystem and reshaping what leadership looks like in a remote-first world. Mike shares how AdLib evolved from a bootstrap experiment to a thriving global team of 20, serving independent agencies and brands with a unified platform that simplifies campaign execution across every DSP, SSP, and retail media network.

The conversation dives deep into leadership, culture, mentorship, and resilience, as Mike reflects on lessons learned from building a company through industry disruption, maintaining connections across continents, and fostering trust in a world without office walls.

Takeaways

• AdLib was built to solve a long-standing problem in ad tech: fragmented access across programmatic platforms.
• Mike and co-founder Dan Bogert turned a shared frustration into a company through persistence, patience, and self-funding.
• The collapse of MediaMath became a turning point that forced AdLib to evolve quickly and expand its reach.
• Leadership, for Mike, is about trust, not control, and giving people the space to deliver their best work.
• Running a remote team means finding new ways to create closeness and connection beyond office walls.
• A strong culture starts with empathy, small gestures of care, and genuine investment in people’s wellbeing.
• Transparency and vulnerability are core to how Mike communicates, both in success and in struggle.
• Mentorship and family values have shaped his belief in showing up, working hard, and staying grounded.
• Mike’s advice to future founders: take the leap, stay curious, and don’t let fear of failure hold you back.

Chapters 00:00 Introductions and Mike’s Background

01:55 What AdLib Does and Its Purpose

03:22 The Journey from MediaMath to Founding AdLib

05:17 Early Iterations and Lessons from Bootstrapping

07:22 Evolving Leadership and Culture in a Remote World

09:47 Building Trust and Accountability Across Teams

11:23 Attracting Global Talent and Creating Belonging

13:59 Investing in People and Wellbeing

15:18 Fostering Vulnerability and Openness Remotely

17:17 Preparing for Growth and Staying Agile

19:22 Leading with Empathy Through Life’s Highs and Lows

20:14 Mentors, Work Ethic, and Life Lessons

22:35 Hard Lessons in Trust and Perseverance

24:01 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs