The Publisher First Podcast

Ep. 61: Travis Wilky (Calculated Conversions)

In this episode of The Publisher First Podcast, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Travis Wilky, President and Co-Founder of Calculated Conversions. They dive into how performance is a byproduct of discipline, how mindset can transform a business, and how Travis's unique background as a former professional road cyclist in Europe informs his strategic approach to structure, accountability, and measurable outcomes in the digital media space.Travis's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-wilky-7480947/⁠Podcast Website: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2i2ON2nNYrZXjjNfp42g7T?si=t5OrfT8oRTabaQmEWQ764w⁠Learn more about FreestarEmail: ⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠Website: ⁠http://freestar.com/⁠A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 60: Jake Abraham (Experian)

In this episode of The Publisher First Podcast, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Jake Abraham, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Experian Marketing Services. They dive into the future of publisher monetization, the role of data marketplaces in the ecosystem, and how Jake's unique background as an award-winning film producer informs his strategic approach to ad tech and media innovation.Jake's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jake-abraham-a908404/Podcast Website: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i2ON2nNYrZXjjNfp42g7T?si=t5OrfT8oRTabaQmEWQ764wLearn more about FreestarEmail: podcast@freestar.comWebsite: http://freestar.com/A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 59: Jonathan Keyser (Keyser Commercial Real Estate)

In this powerful episode, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Jonathan Keyser, the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author and visionary Founder and Managing Partner of Keyser Commercial Real Estate. Together, they unpack the secrets to building a world-class company culture, navigating the return-to-office boom, and harnessing the transformative power of finding the good in every situation. If you're looking for actionable inspiration and a fresh perspective on leadership, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankeyser/Learn More about Jonathan's #1 WSJ & Amazon Best Seller: You Don't Have to be Ruthless To WinLearn more about FreestarEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep 58: Jackie Lord (Culture Index)

In this episode, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Jackie Lord, Founding Principal and CEO of Elevate Consulting Group, for a powerful conversation on leadership, growth, and the human element behind business success. They dive into the transformative impact of the Culture Index, explore the difference between good and great leadership, and unpack what Jackie calls a leader’s moral obligation to their people. Whether you're a CEO, people manager, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackienlord/⁠Culture Index Platform: https://www.cultureindex.com/Learn more about FreestarEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A #PublisherFirst Production

Bonus Episode: Publisher Predictions for 2025 (Webinar)

Ep 57: Lucy Rogers (LiveRamp)

Learn more about FreestarEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 56: Ken Harlan (MobileFuse)

In this episode, host Kurt Donnell sits down with Ken Harlan, Founder and CEO of MobileFuse, one of the leading in-app advertising platforms in the U.S. They dive into the current state of in-app advertising, the transition to Connected TV (CTV), and what it means to be sustainable in this industry.  Ken's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenharlan/ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/freestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Freestar Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 55: Gareth Glaser (Gamera, Inc)

In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Gareth Glaser, CEO of Gamera, Inc, about important topics spanning from the state of the open web to the demonization of paid traffic Gareth's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethglaser/ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/freestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Freestar Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 54: Nick Hill (EssenceMediacom)

In this episode, our host Kurt Donnell chats with Nick Hill, Head of Programmatic EMEA for EssenceMediacom, about the buy-side perspective of the industry as it stands today and the importance of company culture and "getting out of the way". Nick's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hill-776b0b44/ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/freestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Freestar Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A #PublisherFirst Production

Ep. 53: Julia Wilson (Automattic)

In this special episode in honor of Women's History Month, our host Kurt Donnell is joined by Freestar CRO, Heather Carver as they chat with special guest Julia Wilson, VP of Ad Partnerships and Product Strategy at Automattic. They dive into the changes in business strategy post-Automattic's purchase of Tumblr, Julia's involvement with women's organizations like Chief and Nerdy Girl Success, and the reality of Imposter Syndrome as a woman in tech. Julia's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwilson254/ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/freestar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Freestar Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@freestar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://freestar.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A #PublisherFirst Production