Brian O’Kelley

Brian O’Kelley, an adtech entrepreneur and co-founder of Scope3, dives into the evolution of his leadership style, balancing charisma with a healthy workplace culture. He discusses the critical importance of emotional intelligence in startups and shares insights on effective hiring practices that prioritize personal connections. O’Kelley also highlights the significance of sustainability in digital advertising, urging industry accountability to combat climate change. His reflections on the AppNexus journey reveal how a purpose-driven culture can inspire teams and drive impactful results.

Brian O’Kelley, one of the Godfathers of ad tech, discusses creating the industry, competing with Big Tech, and why he didn’t join AT&T. He shares insights on building the first ad exchange, AppNexus' battle with Google, and concerns over AT&T's strategic misalignment.