From Time Square to Piccadily Circus to Shin-juku, Out-of-Home Video Advertising Galvanizes Markets on the Go — Tap into This Hot Trend with OVAB Chairman Mike DiFranza

Co-Host Brad Forsythe interviews Mike DiFranza, founder, president and general manager of Captivate Network and Chairman of the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau. A pioneer in the alternative media advertising market, Mike realized that elevators offered a unique environment in which advertisers and content providers could reach an important and captive audience with their messages. With this in mind, Mike set out to change the way consumers interact with media, giving advertisers a new medium to reach their target audience. By leveraging his more than 20 years of media, marketing and sales experience, Mike pioneered his vision into reality with the creation of Captivate Network. As an advertising industry thought leader, Mike has helped to guide the overall development and evolution of the explosive alternative media space. Mike has led Captivate through the company’s growth and expansion, as well as the successful acquisition by Gannett, Co. Inc. Under his leadership, Captivate is known today for its exceptional recall rate, consistent viewership and quality programming. Prior to founding Captivate, Mike served as the director for the Eastern U.S., Canadian and Latin American Business Units for Mentor Graphics. In that role, he supported the development of underlying technology for the media and telecommunications industries. Prior to his position with Mentor, Mike held various management positions with Metheus Corporation and GCA Corporation. In recognition of Mike’s accomplishments and leadership in the media industry, Captivate has received the SBANE Innovation Award, the MIMC Leadership Award, and Mike was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards twice. Boston Business Forward also named him to its “Forward 40.” He has appeared on national news programs, including CNN, Marketwatch and MSNBC’s ‘The News with Brian Williams’. Additionally, Mike is a recognized expert in the media industry and has spoken at events such as the Canadian Digital Signage Summit; Strategic Research Institute’s Marketing to the Mass Affluent; Forecast 2006; Maximizing Media Conference (Toronto); The Advertising Research Foundation’s Advertising: What’s Next? Conference; Deutsche Bank Media Conference; MIT Enterprise Forum; and SBANE (Smaller Business Association of New England) Awards Ceremony. Mike holds a B.S. degree in Engineering and Computer Science from Northeastern University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development. For entertaining advice join hosts, Ray Schilens and Brad Forsythe, for a lively and informative discussion.

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