Tim Hanlon
Founder of The Vertere Group
Tim Hanlon
Founder of The Vertere Group
Greater Chicago Area
Overview
Work Experience
Founder and CEO
2011 - Current
Founded and run boutique strategic advisory & consulting firm focused on helping forward-leaning media companies, entrepreneurs, and investors benefit from rapidly changing technological advances in marketing, media and consumer communications. Full current & past client roster, advisory firm exits, and general background/updates at: https://verteregroup.com.
Member Board of Directors
2021
Auddia, Inc. [NASDAQ: AUUD] engages in the development of audio content ecosystem technology and products. The firm operates an interactive radio platform called Auddia, which is a subscription based commercial free AM and FM software application. It also offers Vodacast, an interactive podcasting platform and application, which enables listeners to see video and other digital content in a digital feed that correlates with the podcast audio.
Managing Director
2010 - 2011
Founded and ran innovation-centric partnership and strategic investment arm supporting Mediabrands’ main operating agency entities (Universal McCann, Initiative, and Diversified Services) and their clients. Solicited, negotiated and oversaw all aspects of exclusive/proprietary equity-structured deals with more than a dozen early-stage marketing/media/tech firms and drove “real world” marketing, business development, and advertising sales strategies for each. Built consensus-driven mandates within/across internal agencies and their clients for consideration, trial and usage of firms’ offerings. Defined strategic KPI enhancements and “innovation value” for agencies’ operational plans and new business development. Portfolio firms include(d): o Spongecell (acquired by FlashTalking, January 2018) o Mixpo (by Netsertive, August 2017) o Machinima (by Warner Brothers, November 2016) o Retailigence (by ShopAdvisor, April 2016) o Aditive (by Acxiom, March 2014) o BLiNQ Media (by Gannett, August 2012) o CircleStreet (by Valassis, September 2012) o Sharethrough
Executive Vice President/Managing Director, Ventures
2005 - 2010
Created and ran day-to-day management of hybrid strategic/innovation unit focused exclusively on paradigm-changing media/marketing/advertising technologies, for the exclusive strategic benefit of Publicis Groupe media (Starcom, MediaVest, Zenith, Optimedia), and digital (Digitas, Razorfish) agencies and their clients. Begun as part of Publicis entities Denuo (media futures unit, 2006-08), later rolled up into Publicis Groupe Media (2008-09), then further rolled up into VivaKi (2009-10). Responsible for solicitation, negotiation and oversight of all partnership activity (marketing, business development, and advertising sales strategies), and equity investment activity with more than three dozen private/startup companies, with 20+ successful financial exits through acquisition or IPO. Portfolio included: o Innovid (IPO, 2021) o Visible Measures (acquired by AcuityAds, 2017) o Hillcrest Labs (by InterDigital, 2016) o BlackArrow (by Cadent Media, 2015) o Visible World (by Comcast, 2015) o SpotXchange (by RTL, 2014) o CoolIris (by Yahoo, 2014) o Pando Networks (by Microsoft, 2014) o Aggregate Knowledge (by Neustar, 2013) o YuMe (IPO, 2013) o Adap.tv (by AOL, 2013) o RMG Networks (IPO, 2013) o Daylife (by NewsCred, 2012) o TRA (by TiVo, 2012) o Buddy Media (by Salesforce.com, 2012) o ViTrue (by Oracle, 2012) o Modiv Media (by Catalina Marketing, 2012) o Peer39 (by DG/MediaMind, 2012) o Brightcove (IPO, 2012) o Sezmi (by KIT Digital, 2012) o Panache (by 24/7 Real Media/WPP, 2011) o Tumri (by Collective Media, July 2011) o Pelago (by Groupon, April 2011) o Dapper (by Yahoo, October 2010) o IMMI (by Arbitron, March, 2010) o SnapTell (by Amazon/A9, June 2009) o Navic Networks (by Microsoft, June 2008) o Rapt (by Microsoft, March 2008) o Sling Media (by Echostar/Dish Network, October 2007)
Senior Vice President/Director, Emerging Contacts
2000 - 2005
Managed all client activity and agency initiatives in the field of “emerging” media platforms, including: o Strategy development, technology/opportunity evaluation, network/studio and cable/satellite partnership negotiation, charter/pilot project management, and client/agency team education for major marketing clients: o General Motors o Procter & Gamble o Kraft Foods o Coca-Cola o Walt Disney Attractions/The Walt Disney Company o Kellogg’s o Altria/Phillip Morris o Morgan Stanley/Discover Card o Best Buy o Nintendo o Capital One o Miller Brewing o The US Army o Allstate o Hallmark o McDonald’s o Showtime Networks o E! Entertainment Television o Creation/management of Starcom MediaVest Group’s proprietary TV 2.0 Practice, devoted to the marketing/consumer implications of television’s technological evolution. o Creation of Starcom Worldwide’s proprietary Video Investment Group, the expansionary digital video adjunct of the agency’s multi-million-dollar Broadcast Investment Group television buying unit. o External public agency representation on new/emerging media issues, including extensive quotation in consumer/ business/trade media, and frequent speeches/panels/keynotes at major trade and investment conferences.