Ryan Steelberg

Ryan Steelberg is an American serial entrepreneur and investor who co-founded AdForce (IPO), 2CAN Media (Sold to CMGi), and dMarc Broadcasting (Sold to Google). Most recently, Ryan Steelberg co-founded Veritone, Inc. along with his brother, Chad Steelberg, and serves as its President and on its Board of Directors.

Early life

Ryan Scott Steelberg was born in Northridge on December 2, 1973. He attended Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, CA. He later attended the University of California, Los Angeles where he majored in Biology. Ryan Steelberg is the President of Veritone and brings nearly 20 years of executive management experience in technology, marketing, business development and sales. He is considered one of the foremost experts in digital and online advertising. Since 1996, he and his brother Chad have raised more than $180 million in equity financing, managed 400+ employees and created in excess of $3 billion in shareholder value, through the successful founding, management, and liquidation of several industry leading companies, including dMarc Broadcasting (sold to Google in 2006), 2CAN Media (sold to CMGI in 1999), and AdForce (IPO in 1999). The Steelberg brothers are listed as inventors on 51 issued patents. Named by the Orange County Business Journal as two of the county's "50 Most Influential Business People," Ryan and Chad were finalists for Ernst & Young's "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2000. In 2006, Ryan and Chad Steelberg were named two of the "50 Most Powerful People in Radio" by Radio Ink Magazine. Most recently, Ryan was named a recipient of the 2009 Sports Business Journal's Forty under 40 Awards.

Ventures

AdForce (CMGi)

Ryan launched his career by co-founding AdForce with his brother Chad Steelberg in 1995. AdForce (formerly ADFC on NASDAQ), became the world’s largest centralized independent ad serving and management solution. It was acquired by CMGI after going public for more than $500 million in 1999. In 2000, AdForce won the Smithsonian Award for the Best Technology in IT.

2CAN Media (CMGi)

In 1998, the Steelbergs founded 2CAN Media, an internet advertising sales organization, which grew to become the 3rd largest Internet advertising sales organization of its kind. It was also later sold to CMGI for over $50 million in a merger with Adsmart/Engage Media.

dMarc Broadcasting (Google)

In 2002, the Steelbergs co-founded dMarc Broadcasting, the largest centralized radio advertising network and digital automation company servicing more than 4,600 Radio Broadcasters. dMarc was acquired by Google in February 2006 for $102 million in cash, with revenue targets that pushed the deal upwards of $1.2B. As of January 2009, total payouts have exceeded $400 million in cash.^[1]

Brand Affinity Technologies

In 2007, Ryan co-founded along with his brother Chad, Brand Affinity Technologies, a technology and marketing services company focused on activating, engaging, and monetizing the fan. BAT’s offerings power highly targeted and interactive 360° fan-centric experiences and promotions. BAT's patented Endorsement Platform provides the ability to identify, license, and activate talent for cross-media advertising campaigns. Used by brands, including AT&T,^[2] Comcast, Ford,^[3] Samsung and Sony, BAT has representation agreements with more than 4,000 athletes and celebrities. Its partners include thousands of celebrities, athletes, professional sports teams and leagues, and event promoters.

Veritone

In 2014, Ryan co-founded along with his brother Chad, Veritone, Inc. Veritone has developed the world’s first Cognitive Media Platform (CMP). The company is setting a new standard in the evolution of media by providing an open ecosystem for developers, businesses and content owners to collaborate and effectively monetize the insights gained by programmatic cognitive analysis of audio and video. http://www.veritone.com

Accolades

The Steelbergs have been named by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the county’s “50 Most Influential Businesspeople.” Ryan and Chad were also finalists for Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2000. In 2006, Chad and Ryan Steelberg were named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Radio,“ by Radio Ink Magazine.

In 2009, Ryan was named by Sports Business Journal as one of their annual “Forty Under 40" award winners. This award honors the top 40 best and brightest young executives in the sports industry under the age of 40.^[4]

Most Recently, the Steelbergs have been honored in 10th annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards by the Orange County Business Journal. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify the American entrepreneurial spirit – individuals who, by their creativity and determination, have established and nurtured successful business ventures.^[5]

Fortune Magazine has also recognized Ryan as an innovator in the advertising and digital space.^[6]

Personal life

Ryan is married with three children and they continue to reside in Orange County, CA.

References

Kafka, Peter, "A New Scheme to Get Web Surfers to Stay Put: Photos", All Things Digital, Wall Street Journal, August 3, 2010.

Ives, Nat, "Making News Sites Stickier With Apps that Summon the Web", Advertising Age, August 3, 2010.

Olson, Mike. "Player's Choice", Wired Magazine, June 1, 2010.

Elliot, Stuart, "A Place Where Sponsors Sign Athletes", New York Times, October 18, 2009.

Helft, Miguel. "Google Encounters Hurdles in Selling Radio Advertising", New York Times, February 10, 2007.

"What the Google/dMarc "Marriage" Means for Radio", Radio Ink Magazine, February 27, 2006.

Chuang, T. "O.C. venture gets Googled", Orange County Business Journal, June 17, 2002.