DAM Right

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Feb 2026

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About the show

Hey there, welcome to "DAM Right: Winning at Digital Asset Management," the go-to podcast for all DAM things. "DAM Right" is brought to you by Chris Lacinak, the CEO of AVP (weareavp.com), who's on a mission to make digital asset management less 'ugh' and more 'ah-ha!' This isn't just another tech talk; it's a celebration of the stories, strategies, and folks that breath life and meaning into DAM operations. Whether you're knee-deep in digital assets or just DAM curious, Chris, the AVP team, and a lineup of amazing guests are here to enlighten, empathize, entertain, and inspire every second and fourth Thursday. Dive into a mix of interviews, AMAs, case studies, and those all-important behind-the-scenes stories that'll give you the inside scoop on how to make the most of your digital assets. So, grab your headphones, pull up a seat, and join us as we unpack the magic and mayhem of managing digital assets.

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24 recent

February 19, 20269 min

The DAM AI Gap Is Real. Here’s How to Close It.

What is the DAM AI gap? The DAM AI gap is the distance between what AI promises for digital asset management, faster search, automated metadata, autonomous agents, and what most DAM programs are actually ready to support. In this episode, AVP founder and CEO Chris Lacinak explains why that gap exists, why AI exposes weak DAM foundations rather than causing them, and what it actually takes to close the gap. AI roadmaps promise intelligence, automation, agents, and massive productivity gains. But inside organizations, DAM leaders report something very different: rising expectations, reduced teams, fragmented metadata, unclear governance, and inconsistent operational foundations. Chris explores the widening distance between AI's theoretical promise and organizations' structural readiness to operationalize it. In this episode, Chris Lacinak covers: Why AI acts as a stress test for DAM maturity. AI doesn't create new problems in a DAM; it exposes ones that already exist. The difference between AI enablement and AI operationalization. Turning on an AI feature isn't the same as being ready to run on it. Why AI amplifies your DAM foundation instead of fixing it. Strong metadata and governance get better with AI; weak foundations get worse, faster. How weak metadata, unclear governance, and fragmented processes undermine AI initiatives. The specific failure points that show up first. What it actually takes to close the DAM AI gap and unlock real value from AI. The operational model behind AI-ready DAM programs. Resources mentioned in this episode: For more thoughts and a deeper dive into this topic, visit: https://weareavp.com/damaigap AVP Free DAM Resources: https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources AVP Insights – https://www.weareavp.com/insights Contact AVP – https://www.weareavp.com/contact Engage: 🔗 Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clacinak 👍 Subscribe, Follow, and Like on your platform of choice to make sure you get the latest updates 📰 Join our newsletter to get DAM Good Advice at https://lp.weareavp.com/dam-good-advice-signup

January 22, 20261 hr 26 min

DAM Deep Dive: Aprimo

In this episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you inside Aprimo, a long-established DAM platform with deep roots in enterprise marketing. Joining Chris are Erik Huddleston (CEO), Kevin Souers (Chief Product & Technology Officer), and Nick Tomassetti (Vice President of Sales). Together, they unpack how Aprimo has evolved over time, how organizations are navigating DAM at scale today, and what and what it means to move from experimenting to operationalizing agentic AI within DAM. Together, they explore: Aprimo’s origins and evolution, and how content operations became central to its platform strategy How enterprise organizations think about DAM, AI, and content orchestration Customer profiles, success patterns, and common barriers to DAM adoption The role of AI as foundational infrastructure rather than a bolt-on feature Leadership perspectives on culture, people development, and long-term value creation Guest Info: Erik Huddleston – CEO, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehuddleston/ Kevin Souers – Chief Product & Technology Officer, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-souers/ Nick Tomassetti – Senior Vice President of Sales, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-tomassetti-1898028/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Aprimo – https://www.aprimo.com/ DAM Selection Masterclass – https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) - https://c2pa.org/ Gartner 2025 DAM Magic Quadrant - https://go.aprimo.com/reports/gartner-dam-magic-quadrant AVP – https://www.weareavp.com/ DAM Right Soundtrack – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZzCabPS7up3thnq5uwdKs?si=1780631a0ed14013 Engage: 🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clacinak

December 22, 202549 min

What 2025 Taught Us About Getting DAM Right in 2026

The AVP team takes lessons learned from 2025 and digs into what it really takes to get DAM right as organizations head into 2026. Host Chris Lacinak is joined by Kara Van Malssen, John Horodyski, Amy Rudersdorf, and Shawn Averkamp for a candid, pragmatic conversation about the priorities, pitfalls, and decisions that will shape DAM programs in the year ahead. This episode focuses on the lessons that emerged from real-world work across DAM selection, implementation, migrations, AI experimentation, governance, integrations, change management, and more, and how those lessons should inform what organizations do next. The team explores the growing gap between platform capabilities and organizational readiness, the rise of DAM-adjacent tools, why integrations and automation continue to challenge teams, and how AI is forcing a renewed focus on fundamentals like metadata, permissions, and stewardship. They also tackle big questions that will carry well beyond 2026: Is DAM evolving or being redefined? Are organizations moving too fast or not fast enough? And what conversations still need more attention inside the DAM community? If you manage, select, govern, or depend on a DAM platform, this episode is designed to help you move forward with clearer priorities, better questions, and a more realistic view of what success actually requires. 👉 Subscribe for more DAM Right conversations that focus on practical insight, not hype, as the DAM landscape continues to evolve. Guest Info: Kara Van Malssen – Partner and Managing Director, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/ John Horodyski – Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/ Amy Rudersdorf – Director of Consulting Operations, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyrudersdorf/ Shawn Averkamp – Director of R&D Services, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnaverkamp/ Resources mentioned in this episode: DAM Good Advice Newsletter (Subscribe to get updated when the 2026 DAM Trends Survey Report is published) https://www.weareavp.com/damgoodadvice Interline DPC 2026 Report https://bit.ly/interlinedpc2026 C2PA https://c2pa.org/ EU Artificial Intelligence Act https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/ Engage: 📰 Subscribe to DAM Good Advice at https://www.weareavp.com/damgoodadvice 🆓 Access free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/ 🔗 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

December 3, 202532 min

OnDAM Paris 2025 Conference Recap

The AVP team is back with another field report straight from Paris. Host Chris Lacinak is joined once again by our globetrotting DAM correspondent, John Horodyski, who just returned from the OnDAM 2025 Conference in France. And he’s giving us the full download. From gorgeous venues and natural light, to discussions on AI legislation, provenance, trust, authenticity, 3D workflows, DAM governance, and yes… even hip hop dancers. This episode dives deep into what made OnDAM one of the most energized DAM gatherings this year. If you’re curious how the European DAM community is thinking, what’s trending, and what’s coming next in 2026, this conversation will bring you right into the room. 👉 Subscribe for more DAM Right conversations that explore the people, culture, and ideas driving the future of Digital Asset Management. Guest Info: John Horodyski - Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/ Resources mentioned in this episode: OnDAM Conference - https://www.ondamparis.com/ Activo - https://www.activo-consulting.com/ C2PA - https://c2pa.org EU Artificial Intelligence Act - https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/ Transparency and Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act - https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/29/governor-newsom-signs-sb-53-advancing-californias-world-leading-artificial-intelligence-industry/ California AI Transparency Act https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB942 AVP Free DAM Selection Masterclass - https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice Engage: 📅 Find us at upcoming events online and in-person at https://www.weareavp.com/avp-events/ 🆓 Get amazing free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

October 21, 202545 min

DAM NY 2025 Conference Recap

The AVP team just got back from Henry Stewart DAM NY 2025, and we’re unpacking it all — live, unfiltered, and together. Host Chris Lacinak is joined by Kara Van Malssen , John Horodyski , Pamela Vizner , Jason Ulsh , and Brian Courtney for a roundtable recap of the biggest themes, surprises, and hot takes from this year’s conference. From AI hype vs. reality, to governance gaps, to why “DAM is a human endeavor,” the team breaks down what stood out most — and what’s coming next for the DAM community. If you missed the event (or just want to hear what your peers really thought), this candid, high-energy conversation will bring you up to speed. 🎧 Listen for insights, laughs, and a few spicy predictions about the future of the DAMosphere. Guest Info: Kara Van Malssen – Partner and Managing Director, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/ John Horodyski - Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/ Pamela Vizner - Associate Director, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-v%C3%ADzner-oyarce-a1085518/ Jason Ulsh - DAM Solutions Architect, AVP - https://www.weareavp.com/team/jason-ulsh/ Brian Courtney - Senior Consultant, AVP - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bg-courtney-bb9374/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Henry Stewart 2025 DAM NY Conference - https://www.henrystewartconferences.com/events/dam-new-york-2025 C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) – https://c2pa.org DAM Right Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZzCabPS7up3thnq5uwdKs?si=53fcb86bfbf14f85 Engage: 📅 Find us at upcoming events online and in-person at https://www.weareavp.com/avp-events/ 🆓 Get amazing free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

October 10, 20251 hr 34 min

DAM Deep Dive: Orange Logic

In this episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you behind the scenes with Orange Logic, a long-standing player in the DAM space that has experienced remarkable growth over the past several years. Joining Chris are Misti Vogt (Chief of Staff & Head of Customer Success), Jim Cavedo (Vice President of Solutions), and Brad Pearson (Senior Vice President of Product). Together, they explore Orange Logic’s origins, evolution, and perspectives on what makes a DAM platform adaptable, scalable, and future-ready. Together, they explore: The origins of Orange Logic and how a photographer’s side project became an enterprise DAM platform. Customer success patterns, use cases, and lessons from organizations managing petabytes of content. How Orange Logic defines adaptability and what differentiates its approach to DAM adoption. The company’s technical foundations, product philosophy, and roadmap for AI and autonomous DAM. Industry challenges, DAM adoption trends, and what the next era of DAM might look like. Personal insights on leadership, culture, and the mantra behind “Be Orange.” Guest Info: Misti Vogt – Chief of Staff & Head of Customer Success, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistivogt/ Jim Cavedo – Vice President of Solutions, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcavedo/ Brad Pearson – Senior Vice President of Product, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradtpearson/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Orange Logic – https://www.orangelogic.com/ DAM Selection Masterclass – https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice C2PA – https://c2pa.org/ AVP – https://www.weareavp.com/ DAM Right Soundtraack – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZzCabPS7up3thnq5uwdKs?si=b740229561b34318 Engage: 🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

September 25, 20251 hr 34 min

DAM Deep Dive: Frontify

In this inaugural episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you behind the scenes with Frontify. Joining Chris are Roger Dudler, Founder and CEO of Frontify, and Thomas Meichtry, Director of U.S. Sales, who share their unique perspectives on the company’s origins, culture, customer successes, and vision for the future of DAM. Together, they explore: The founding story of Frontify and how it evolved from a designer-developer workflow tool to a global brand management platform. The role of culture, product obsession, and “scrappiness” in shaping the company. Customer stories from Bosch, Lufthansa, and Uber that highlight measurable impact at scale. Common pain points DAM buyers face today and how Frontify addresses them. Technical differentiators like Frontify’s SDK, developer-friendly extensibility, and new automation capabilities. Industry insights on DAM adoption, procurement best practices, and what the next 3–5 years may hold for the DAM space. Guest Info: Roger Dudler – Founder & CEO, Frontify – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerdudler/ Thomas Meichtry – Director of U.S. Sales, Frontify – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-meichtry-9248a2b7/ Frontify: https://www.frontify.com Resources mentioned in this episode: DAM Selection Guide – https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice DAM Selection Webinar – https://bit.ly/selectingyournextdam Bosch Case Study – https://www.frontify.com/customers/bosch Lufthansa Case Study – https://www.frontify.com/customers/lufthansa Uber Case Study – https://www.frontify.com/customers/uber Mercedes Case Study – https://www.frontify.com/customers/mercedes Frontify Developer Portal & SDK – https://developer.frontify.com Frontify Paradigms Conference – https://paradigms.io n8n – https://n8n.io Make – https://www.make.com Tray – https://tray.io ElevenLabs – https://elevenlabs.io Cursor – https://cursor.sh Engage: 📣 Register for Selecting Your Next DAM: A Step-by-Step Webinar on October 7th. https://bit.ly/selectingyournextdam 🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

March 13, 202556 min

Ask Me Anything: Governance

This episode of the DAM Right Podcast features an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on DAM governance with industry experts Kara Van Malssen and John Horodyski from AVP. The discussion covers the fundamental principles, challenges, and best practices for implementing and maintaining effective governance in Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems. Guest Info: - Kara Van Malssen LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/ Bio - https://www.weareavp.com/team/kara-van-malssen/ - John Horodyski LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/ Bio - https://www.weareavp.com/team/john-horodyski/ Digital Asset Symposium Info: - DAM in GLAM event - http://digitalassetsymposium.com - Aprimo - https://www.aprimo.com/ - Allied Vaughn - https://www.alliedvaughn.com/ - Acquia - https://www.acquia.com/products/acquia-dam - Iron Mountain - https://www.ironmountain.com/ - Aviary - https://www.aviaryplatform.com/ - NBCUniversal - https://www.universalstudioslot.com/post-production Resources mentioned in this episode: - Managing Chaos: Digital Governance by Design – Lisa Welchman https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Chaos-Digital-Governance-Design/dp/1933820828 - Non-Invasive Data Governance: The Path of Least Resistance and Greatest Success – Robert S. Seiner - https://www.amazon.com/Non-Invasive-Data-Governance-Resistance-Success/dp/1634620726 - European Accessibility Act (EAA) - https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en Engage: 📣 Join us at DAM in GLAM on May 7th in NYC at MOMA. Find out more and register at https://digitalassetsymposium.com 🆓 Download the DAM Strategy Canvas & other free resources at https://weareavp.com/free-resources 👍 Like, Subscribe, and follow on your platform of choice. 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn athttps://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

February 27, 202559 min

DAM 2025 Forecast

In this episode host Chris Lacinak joins Misti Vogt and Brian McLaughlin from Orange Logic to offer a 2025 DAM Forecast. They explore key trends shaping the future of Digital Asset Management (DAM), including connected DAM, adaptive DAM, and autonomous DAM with some veers into sustainability, content authenticity, user adoption and more. The episode provides insights into how organizations can future-proof their DAM strategies for greater efficiency and competitive advantage. Guest Info: Misti Vogt - Chief of Staff and Head of Customer Success, Orange Logic - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistivogt/ Brian McLaughlin - CEO, Orange Logic - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-mclaughlin-540613/ Orange Logic - https://orangelogic.com Resources mentioned in this episode: DAM Strategy Canvas - https://lp.weareavp.com/avp-dam-strategy-canvas How to make the case for a new DAM investment - https://www.orangelogic.com/blog/how-digital-asset-managers-can-make-the-case-for-a-new-dam-investment Content Authenticity Initiative - https://contentauthenticity.org/ C2PA - ht tps://c2pa.org/ DAM and Carbon Footprint Control: Less Clutter, More Impact - https://www.cmswire.com/digital-asset-management/dam-and-carbon-footprint-control-less-clutter-more-impact/ Digital Asset Symposium: DAM in GLAM - http://digitalassetsymposium.org/ Engage: 📣 Join us at DAM in GLAM on May 7th in NYC at MOMA. Find out more and register at https://digitalassetsymposium.com 🆓 Download the DAM Strategy Canvas & other free resources at https://weareavp.com/free-resources 💡 Download great DAM resources from Orange Logic at https://www.orangelogic.com/digital-asset-management-guides 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak

September 26, 202435 min

The Operational Model for DAM Success

Host Chris Lacinak is joined by Kara Van Malssen, Managing Director at AVP to talk about the Operational Model for DAM Success that she created. The Operational Model comes out of what Kara has learned in almost 2 decades of helping organizations design, build, and scale DAM operations. Guest Bio: Driven by a passion for helping organizations build impactful DAM programs, Kara Van Malssen is the Managing Director at consultancy AVP. Merging her deep expertise in systems thinking, user experience design, library science, and business analysis with extensive DAM experience, Kara crafts scalable and sustainable asset and data management solutions. Her diverse client portfolio ranges from Fortune 1000 powerhouses to esteemed cultural heritage institutions and transformative non-profits. Beyond her consulting role, Kara frequently shares her insights at conferences and workshops around the globe. Connect with Kara at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Operational Model for DAM Success: https://damopmodel.com Henry Stewart DAM NY 50% Off Registration Giveaway: https://bit.ly/DAMRIGHTNY2024 DAM Right Soundtrack - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZzCabPS7up3thnq5uwdKs Engage: 🆓 Download amazing and free DAM resources from the best DAM consultants in the business at https://weareavp.com/free-resources ⭐ Please rate, like, follow, and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice. See all the places we are at https://dam-right.com/listen 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak