Ciaran O'Kane
Founder at ExchangeWire
Founding ExchangeWire, the leading AdTech trade publication and events business, and serving as one of the industry's most prominent analysts and commentators on programmatic advertising and digital media.
Last updated May 31, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team · Connections updated May 31, 2026
Ciaran O'Kane is one of the most recognizable figures in the global AdTech ecosystem, widely known as the founder and long-time CEO of ExchangeWire, the influential trade media and research company that became a definitive voice covering programmatic advertising, data, and digital media. Over more than a decade, O'Kane built ExchangeWire into a globally respected platform through its news coverage, the ATS (Advertising Trading Summit) event series, and research products that shaped industry discourse on topics ranging from header bidding and supply path optimization to identity resolution and the cookieless future. His editorial and analytical work gave him a uniquely broad view of the AdTech landscape across buy-side, sell-side, and technology provider perspectives. O'Kane joined DoubleVerify as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing his deep industry knowledge and extensive network to one of the most prominent publicly traded companies in digital media measurement. At DoubleVerify, he is focused on strategic direction across brand safety, ad fraud prevention, attention measurement, and the company's positioning as advertisers navigate increasing complexity in programmatic supply chains, CTV, and social media environments. His transition from media and analysis into an operator role at a major verification platform reflects the convergence of editorial influence and commercial strategy in modern AdTech. With roots in the early days of European programmatic advertising, O'Kane has been a consistent advocate for transparency, quality, and accountability in digital advertising. He has spoken at major industry events globally and has been a trusted commentator on the structural challenges facing the open web, publisher monetization, and the evolving relationship between advertisers and technology intermediaries.
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
ExchangeWire (2009-2024)
Various digital advertising and publishing roles
Prior to ExchangeWire (pre-2009)
- Founded ExchangeWire in 2009, growing it into the leading global trade media and research brand covering AdTech and programmatic advertising
- Built and scaled the ATS (Advertising Trading Summit) event series across multiple global markets including London, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo
- Appointed Chief Strategy Officer at DoubleVerify, a publicly traded digital media measurement company
- Established ExchangeWire Research as a respected source of independent AdTech market analysis
- ExchangeWire (founder and long-time editorial contributor)
- ExchangeWire Research reports on programmatic and AdTech market trends