CEO of the Year Bill Wise on Leading Mediaocean, Driving Innovation, and Shaping the Future of Ad Tech

In this exclusive interview, we sat down with Bill Wise, CEO of Mediaocean, who was recently named 2024 CEO of the Year by The Tech Ascension Awards. With a career spanning pioneering work in online and programmatic advertising, Wise shares insights on his journey through tech leadership, Mediaocean’s mission, and his approach to fostering innovation and agility within an ever-evolving industry.

What inspired you to pursue leadership in the tech industry, and how has that journey evolved over time?

I always say that people are a company’s most important asset. And I’ve always been inspired by the people around me. When I worked at DoubleClick we were truly inventing online advertising and I was privileged to work with some of the brightest minds in the space trying to decode the format and future out what would get consumers to double-click on an ad. When I was at Right Media we were inventing programmatic advertising exchanges and again I worked with some of the smartest folks tackling some of the thorniest challenges with how ad campaigns are bought, sold, and delivering on the web. Today at Mediaocean, we’re redefining what independent ad tech can do for the world’s largest brands and their agencies across all channels from TV to TikTok. It’s incredibly exciting to put together all the pieces and create advertising infrastructure that’s become the industry’s mission-critical system of record.

What is Mediaocean's mission? How do you help drive that mission in your role?

Our mission is to power the future of the advertising ecosystem through technology solutions that empower brands and agencies to deliver impactful omnichannel marketing experiences. Parsing out some key words from that, I try to keep us focused on future-proofing our company and our customers by anticipating market trends. And I’m super passionate about delivering impact, however that’s defined in a micro or macro context. Omnichannel is a crusade I’ve been on since I first got into the ad tech space, always looking for ways to bring people, processes, and platforms together for marketers to meet consumers in the moment whatever screen or device they’re on.

How do you foster innovation within your teams while maintaining a balance between creativity and operational efficiency?

Innovation is codified into our core values at Mediaocean. We’re relentless in deploying technology to solve customer and market challenges. And we empower our teams to operate as leaders at every level to run the business so there is accountability and trust. As a hybrid workforce, we have teams in person and virtually collaborating across the globe with an emphasis on frequency and transparency. We use workflow tools like Jira and Asana to keep us centralized in our project management and communication tools like Zoom and Slack to stay connected on a human level. More and more, we’re leveraging generative AI to be even more productive and free up our people to bring their best brainpower and creativity to driving innovation.

In a fast-paced industry like tech, how do you ensure your organization remains agile and adaptable to change?

Another attribute that’s baked into our organization through one of our core values is fostering a learning culture. We’re intellectually curious and embrace a growth mindset. When I co-founded Mediaocean in 2011, we brought together teams (and customers) from MediaBank and Donovan Data Systems that had been working on different systems to solve similar customer needs. We asked everyone to get comfortable being uncomfortable as we transformed ourselves and the industry and we’ve never looked back. Since then we’ve done more than 10 more acquisitions to add capabilities and build our geographic footprint and, with each new injection of talent and customer commitments, we count on our team’s ability to be agile and catalysts for change.

What advice would you give to aspiring tech leaders looking to make a significant impact in their fields?

Surround yourself with A-players at each position. At Mediaocean, I could not do any of the jobs that my executive team does. The only one I’m qualified for is CEO. It’s about setting the North Star and clearing hurdles so people can do their best work. And trying to have a little fun along the way!

Tech Ascension Awards Announces 2024 Leadership Winners

The Tech Ascension Awards are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership in technology. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional vision and accomplishments in their respective fields, leading their organizations through groundbreaking transformations and setting new standards in the tech industry. "Leadership is about more than just guiding a company -- it’s about driving innovation, fostering growth, and setting an example for others in the industry to follow. These winners exemplify what it means to move their companies and entire sectors forward," said David Campbell, CEO of Tech Ascension Awards. "Their vision and dedication to pushing boundaries have not only transformed their organizations but have also had a lasting impact on the industries they serve."

2024 Leadership Award Winners -- Tech Ascension Awards:

• Woman in Tech Leader of the Year – Louise K. Allen, Chief Product Officer, Planview: Louise K. Allen has excelled as the Chief Product Officer at Planview, driving a product vision that has redefined the company’s portfolio management solutions. Under her leadership, Planview has launched innovative tools that enhance business agility, enabling organizations to streamline operations and adapt to market changes. Louise's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has fostered a culture of inclusivity, making her a trailblazer for women in technology.

• CEO of the Year – Bill Wise, CEO, Mediaocean: As the founding CEO of Mediaocean, Bill Wise has steered the company to the forefront of the marketing technology industry. His strategic vision has led to the development of Mediaocean's end-to-end omnichannel advertising platform, which is now an essential tool for modern marketers. Bill's focus on innovation and his dedication to building a forward-thinking, inclusive company culture have solidified Mediaocean's position as a leader in its field.

• Women in Cyber Leader of the Year – Heather Ceylan, Deputy CISO, Zoom Video Communications, Inc.: Heather Ceylan, as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Zoom, has been a leader in fortifying the company's security infrastructure, especially in response to the increasing demand for secure video communications. Heather has led critical cybersecurity initiatives that ensure Zoom’s platform remains trusted and secure for millions of users worldwide. Her leadership in cybersecurity and her efforts to mentor women in tech make her truly stand out in the field.

• Industry Innovator of the Year – Phil Calvin, Chief Product Officer, Delinea: Phil Calvin has transformed Delinea’s product suite with cutting-edge innovations in privileged access management (PAM). His leadership in developing next-generation PAM solutions has helped enterprises enhance security while maintaining seamless operational efficiency. Phil’s contributions to the cybersecurity industry, combined with his dedication to continuous product innovation, have made him a leader in protecting businesses from cyber threats.
  

  
  

Tech Ascension Awards Announces 2024 Cybersecurity Award Winners

The Tech Ascension Awards is proud to announce the 2024 Cybersecurity award winners, celebrating the most innovative and impactful solutions in the cybersecurity industry. These awards honor the companies and technologies that are driving the industry forward with groundbreaking achievements and innovative applications of cybersecurity.

Winners of the 2024 Cybersecurity Awards:

Most Innovative Security Solution – Shift5, GPS Integrity Module

Shift5 was selected for its GPS Integrity Module, which ensures the security and reliability of GPS data through advanced validation techniques. This solution is crucial for preventing GPS spoofing and other forms of cyberattacks that could compromise navigation and location-based services.

Best AI / ML Powered Solution – Palo Alto Networks, AI Access Security

Palo Alto Networks was recognized for its AI Access Security solution, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor and control access points dynamically. This system enhances security by identifying and mitigating threats in real-time, ensuring that access is granted only to authorized users and devices.

Best Cloud Security Solution – Horizon3.ai, NodeZero

Horizon3.ai's NodeZero was honored for its comprehensive cloud security capabilities. NodeZero leverages advanced AI and machine learning to identify vulnerabilities and threats across cloud environments, providing robust protection and enabling proactive threat management.

Best Mobile Security Solution – SHIELD, Device Intelligence

SHIELD's Device Intelligence solution stood out for its ability to detect and prevent mobile threats. By analyzing device behavior and network interactions, SHIELD provides unparalleled security for mobile devices, protecting users from malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.

Best Endpoint Security Solution – Ivanti, Ivanti Neurons for Patch Management

Ivanti was recognized for its Neurons for Patch Management solution, which automates the detection and remediation of vulnerabilities across endpoints. This solution ensures that devices are always up-to-date with the latest security patches, reducing the risk of exploitation.

Best Identity Management Solution – Beyond Identity, Secure SSO

Beyond Identity's Secure SSO solution was honored for its innovative approach to identity management. By eliminating passwords and using advanced authentication methods, Secure SSO enhances security and simplifies the login process for users.

Best Managed Services Provider – DirectDefense, Managed Detection and Response + MSSP

DirectDefense was recognized for its Managed Detection and Response + MSSP services, which provide comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities. Their services ensure continuous monitoring and quick mitigation of cyber threats, protecting organizations from evolving security risks.

Best Network Security Solution – Secureworks, Taegis NDR

Secureworks' Taegis NDR was selected for its advanced network detection and response capabilities. This solution leverages machine learning to identify and respond to network threats, ensuring the security and integrity of organizational networks.

Best Application Security Solution – Legit Security, Legit Security Platform

Legit Security was honored for its Legit Security Platform, which provides comprehensive protection for software applications. This platform integrates seamlessly into the development lifecycle, identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities early in the development process.

Best SecOps Solution – Sevco Security, The Sevco Platform

Sevco Security's platform was recognized for its SecOps capabilities, providing visibility and control over security operations. The platform enhances coordination and response to security incidents, ensuring that organizations can effectively manage and mitigate cyber threats.

David Campbell, CEO of the Tech Ascension Awards, commented on the significance of this year's winners:

“In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, these companies have demonstrated the importance of leveraging advanced technologies to safeguard our digital world. We're proud to recognize their solutions that are not only enhancing security but are also paving the way for future advancements in cybersecurity. As we move forward, the importance of fostering such innovation in cybersecurity cannot be overstated, as it lays the foundation for a safer and more secure technological landscape.”

The Tech Ascension Awards continues to highlight the most influential and forward-thinking companies and solutions in the technology industry, setting the benchmark for excellence and innovation.