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Ciaran O'Kane

Thought Leader

Ciaran O'Kane is one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the global AdTech ecosystem, best known as the founder of ExchangeWire, the trade media and research company that became a definitive editorial and analytical 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 work gave him a uniquely broad view of the AdTech landscape across buy-side, sell-side, and technology provider perspectives, making him a trusted commentator on the structural challenges facing the open web, publisher monetization, and the evolving relationship between advertisers and technology intermediaries. 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 used ExchangeWire as a platform to surface critical debates around ad fraud, brand safety, attention measurement, and the future of identity in a post-cookie world. His editorial influence translated into genuine commercial and strategic impact, as ExchangeWire's research and event products became essential resources for senior decision-makers across the industry. O'Kane has also taken on operator roles beyond ExchangeWire, most notably joining DoubleVerify as Chief Strategy Officer, where he applied his deep industry knowledge and extensive network to one of the most prominent publicly traded companies in digital media measurement. His trajectory — from founder and media entrepreneur to senior operator at a major verification platform — reflects the convergence of editorial influence and commercial strategy that defines modern AdTech leadership. His current status and affiliation reflect ongoing evolution in his career beyond those roles.

Last updated Jun 11, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jun 15, 2026

Role
Founder
Company
ExchangeWire
Based
London, NY, United Kingdom
Connections
2
Years in industry
17 years

Bio

Ciaran O'Kane is one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the global AdTech ecosystem, best known as the founder of ExchangeWire, the trade media and research company that became a definitive editorial and analytical 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 work gave him a uniquely broad view of the AdTech landscape across buy-side, sell-side, and technology provider perspectives, making him a trusted commentator on the structural challenges facing the open web, publisher monetization, and the evolving relationship between advertisers and technology intermediaries. 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 used ExchangeWire as a platform to surface critical debates around ad fraud, brand safety, attention measurement, and the future of identity in a post-cookie world. His editorial influence translated into genuine commercial and strategic impact, as ExchangeWire's research and event products became essential resources for senior decision-makers across the industry. O'Kane has also taken on operator roles beyond ExchangeWire, most notably joining DoubleVerify as Chief Strategy Officer, where he applied his deep industry knowledge and extensive network to one of the most prominent publicly traded companies in digital media measurement. His trajectory — from founder and media entrepreneur to senior operator at a major verification platform — reflects the convergence of editorial influence and commercial strategy that defines modern AdTech leadership. His current status and affiliation reflect ongoing evolution in his career beyond those roles.

Career

  • Chief Strategy Officer

    DoubleVerify · 2022-2024

  • CEO & Founder

    ExchangeWire · 2009-2022

Advisory roles

First Party Capital

Expertise & education

Expertise

Programmatic AdvertisingSupply Path OptimizationHeader BiddingIdentity ResolutionBrand SafetyAd Fraud PreventionAttention MeasurementPublisher Monetization

Speaking topics

Programmatic advertising and supply chain transparencyThe future of identity and cookieless advertisingBrand safety and ad fraud in the open webPublisher monetization and the health of the open webCTV and the evolution of digital media measurementAttention measurement and advertising effectiveness

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Founded ExchangeWire, which became the leading trade media and research platform covering programmatic advertising and AdTech globally
  • Built and scaled the ATS (Advertising Trading Summit) event series into a globally recognized industry conference franchise
  • Joined DoubleVerify as Chief Strategy Officer, transitioning from media entrepreneur to senior operator at a major publicly traded AdTech company
  • Established ExchangeWire Research as a go-to source for industry intelligence on programmatic, identity, and digital media trends

Publications

  • ExchangeWire (founder and long-time editorial lead)
  • ExchangeWire Research reports on programmatic, identity, and digital media
Connection details