Demand-side platform MediaMath has hired Ad Exchanger Research Lead Analyst Joanna O’Connell as its new CMO. And while a move from calculated statistical analysis to head of marketing of a 750-person global player may seem a considerable leap, apparently it isn’t for O’Connell.
“I built one of the first trading desks, ATOM Systems, based on that vision [of MediaMath’s founders],” she wrote in a blog posted yesterday. “When you’re a research analyst for that long, it can start to feel a little theoretical, removed from the realities of the market. I wanted to get my hands back into what was really happening.”
While O’Connell has been an observer of the ad tech scene and programmatic buying since starting as a Forrester analyst in 2010, she began her career in international business at Miramax and then spent four years at Razorfish, where she labored on that media trading desk. At MediaMath O’Connell plans to expand recognition of MediaMath’s core competencies to a wider audience.
“Joanna comes on board at a critical time as the industry seeks further definition,” said MediaMath CEO Joe Zawadzki in a press release. “Given our market position, we believe we are approaching a breakaway speed and Joanna will help us achieve that goal.”
