One of the most influential figures in media and marketing joins Mediaocean to fortify advertising’s leading provider of software and AI solutions

Mediaocean, the foundational partner for omnichannel advertising, today announced that Michael Kassan, founder and CEO of 3C Ventures, has joined its Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. Kassan will play a key role at a pivotal time for the advertising industry’s shift toward AI-powered and connected systems, helping to guide Mediaocean through its next phase of strategic growth as the independent technology uniting brands, agencies, publishers, and partners.

Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in modern marketing, Kassan brings decades of experience advising the world’s largest advertisers, agencies, and media companies. Throughout his career, he has helped shape the direction of the industry through an unmatched ability to bridge innovation, technology, and business transformation. Prior to founding 3C Ventures in 2024 and MediaLink in 2003, Kassan was President/COO and Vice-Chairman of Initiative Media Worldwide, growing billings from $1.5 billion to over $10 billion.

Kassan was named one of the top media executives in America by Ad Age and was honored on Adweek’s “Power 100” list and on Variety’s index of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global entertainment industry. In 2019, Kassan was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Fame, which is considered the highest honor in advertising.

In recent years, Kassan has been a trusted advisor to Mediaocean’s leadership and board, providing instrumental guidance during the landmark investment and launch of a Certified Service Partner program with agency holding companies Interpublic Group, Omnicom Group, and WPP, as well as the acquisition of Innovid.

“Michael has an extraordinary understanding of how technology, creativity, and commercial strategy come together to drive growth,” said Bill Wise, CEO at Mediaocean. “His insights and influence have already helped shape Mediaocean’s evolution, and now as our Vice Chairman, his perspective will be invaluable as we usher in the next wave of expansion through interoperable AI solutions for the advertising industry.”

“For much of my career, I’ve focused on building bridges across the marketing ecosystem,” said Kassan. “Mediaocean embodies that same mission, connecting every part of the industry with the technology and transparency that drive progress. I’m excited to support the company’s continued growth and help guide its strategy at such a critical inflection point.”

“Mediaocean is well-positioned to capitalize on market trends, and adding Michael to the board will provide additional firepower to future-proof the business,” said Chris Stadler, Managing Partner at CVC Capital Partners. “Whether it’s driving innovation or strategic deal-making, having Michael on our team will bring tremendous value to all stakeholders.”

Kassan joins Mediaocean at a time of strong momentum for the company, marked by milestones including Ad Age’s Best Places to Work, USA Today Top Workplaces, NYC Top Workplaces, and Remote Work Top Workplaces. Collectively, these distinctions underscore Mediaocean’s ongoing commitment to building a world-class environment that empowers its global team to deliver for customers and fuel innovation across the advertising industry.

About Mediaocean

Mediaocean is powering the future of the advertising ecosystem with technology that empowers brands and agencies to deliver impactful omnichannel marketing experiences. With over $200 billion in annualized ad spend running through its software products, Mediaocean deploys AI and automation to optimize investments and outcomes. The company’s advertising infrastructure and ad tech tools are used by more than 100,000 people across the globe. Mediaocean owns and operates Prisma, the industry’s trusted system of record for media management and finance, Innovid, the leading independent ad tech platform for creative, delivery, measurement, and optimization, as well as Protected by Mediaocean, an integrated solution for ad verification and brand safety. Visit www.mediaocean.com for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251218949591/en/

Kassan will play a key role at a pivotal time for the advertising industry’s shift toward AI-powered systems, helping to guide Mediaocean through its next phase of strategic growth as the independent tech uniting brands, agencies, publishers, and partners.