Smart Money

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Members

Ari Brandt

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3rd+

Ari Brandt co-founded Receptiv (formerly known as MediaBrix), the leading in-app mobile video ad platform connecting brands to receptive users during meaningful moments, in 2011 and served as the company’s CEO and Chairman until it was acquired in May 2018. He is a seasoned media executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building profitable digital businesses and advertising platforms. Over the course of his career, Brandt has played a key role in launching and developing innovative brands and products for renowned media and advertising technology organizations. Before founding Receptiv, Brandt was the CEO at Linkstorm, an advertising technology company, where he led the company through consecutive years of triple-digit growth and global expansion. He has also worked as the head of digital media for Condé Nast Business Media Group and led the launch of Portfolio.com. Prior to Conde Nast, Brandt held management roles at prominent media and ad tech companies including Yahoo! and DoubleClick. He started his career working in media and account management at leading advertising agencies such as Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, Weiss Whitten Stagliano, and MVBMS/Euro RSCG. Brandt regularly speaks at industry conferences and most recently has been a featured speaker at SXSW, ad:tech, DEW, Inside Mobile Apps, MediaPost’s OMMA Global, MediaPost’s Social Media Insider Summit and MIN Digital Media Summit. Additionally, he has contributed articles and been quoted in widely-read media outlets such as Adweek, Ad Age, Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, MediaPost, Mobile Marketer and Digiday.

Joseph L. Dressler

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3rd+

Strategic Leader Driving Growth in AdTech & MarTech I'm a results-oriented AdTech and MarTech leader with 20+ years of proven success in driving revenue growth and market adoption across complex ecosystems. My expertise lies in strategic thinking, where I craft go-to-market strategies for innovative solutions and new products. I excel at building and nurturing strong client relationships and strategic partnerships, maximizing investment from advertisers and vendors, and ensuring consistent renewals by delivering exceptional ROI. My leadership extends beyond sales; I've built, managed, and optimized high-performing teams across sales, customer success, analytics, and operations. I foster an environment of operational excellence, leveraging deep insights into how technology transforms organizational efficiency. I'm passionate about innovation and have a unique perspective forged from experience across media agencies, traditional publishing, DSPs, and retail media. Crucially, I understand the profound impact of first-party data on the future of media. I actively champion strategies that leverage proprietary data to unlock deeper audience understanding, personalize experiences, and drive superior campaign performance. My commitment to a customer-first mindset ensures that all initiatives are aligned with client needs and long-term success. I also train, mentor, and motivate sales teams, focusing on consultative selling and developing their deep industry expertise. I actively contribute to industry discourse, moderating panels and speaking at national conferences (Brand Innovators, Dreamforce, NEMOA, 212 Sessions). As an investor and advisor in technology and DTC companies, I continually seek opportunities to foster business development and challenge the status quo. My experience spans diverse sectors including CPG, disruptors, e-commerce, financial services, publishing, retail, and travel. Accelerated Revenue Growth| Building C-Level Relationships| Consultative Sales | Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy| Business Development | Client Obsession | Programmatic | Retail Media | Cross Department Collaboration | Innovation | Operating Excellent | Navigating Ambiguity | Leveraging Data to Inform Storytelling | Simplifying Complexity Trend Tracking | | Presenting & Speaking | Mentoring | Team Leadership

Josh Cohen

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3rd+

Product leader with extensive experience in online media, advertising technology and geospatial analytics including deep background with SaaS and enterprise software. I have over 15 years experience building and managing teams in product development, UX and business development from start-up/scale-ups (100-300 employees) to top public companies.

Danielle (Dani) Martin

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3rd+

I enjoyed a blessed & storied career as a Media Advertising Exec in NYC, where I had the pleasure of traveling around the world & meeting some amazing people & enjoying many blessings... However, I've recently made significant shifts in my life & career focus... I'm currently a co-owner of a beautiful gem of a metaphysical shop called Amityville Apothecary: Remedies for Mind, Body & Soul... I've partnered with my soul sister, Dina, to bring healing, beauty & natural remedies into the lives of everyone. Our products range form Crystals to Essential Oils, Natural Skin Care, to Oracle & Tarot Cards, Incense & Smudge Kits, CBD, Jewelry, Art all designed to inspire and bring joy into your life... We offer workshops & classes; personalized healings, life coaching services designed to inspire, educate & engage you related to metaphysical, alternative & complementary ways to enhance your lives through meditation, enlightenment, astrology, mediums, healing modalities, connecting with nature & more. We hope you come visit us soon. I am also focused on launching a complementary business, Lightworkers Unite, which offers Reiki Energy Healing, Chakra Balancing, Meditation, Mindfulness, Life Coaching, Goal Setting & Manifestation practices, Tips, Tools & Techniques into Corporate America environments. My mission is to help empower employees & companies to counterbalance the all-time pressures facing Corporate American environments currently: Stress, Anxiety, Burn Out, Fatigue, Loss of Productivity due to overwhelm, compromised health conditions resulting from too much stress without relief... Reiki & related healing modalities are non-invasive & can help restore relaxation, focus, balance & relief to the masses. I'm excited to introduce these services to you all. Please contact me directly if you'd like to learn more about how these services can benefit your business and staff. I look forward to connecting with you all to discuss how I can assist you.