Doing math with numbers? Pretty fun! 1+7=8. 10-4=6. Got it, this is easy - hit me with another one. 3x + 1 = 10. Excuse me, what? Did you say “x”? Did you use a letter in a math problem? I think it’s at this point in the math curriculum that many kids say “Yeah, that’s gonna be a no from me, dawg.” I remember I was on the fence with it all myself – until Algebra II with Mr. Ward. He took what was a really tough and normally dry subject and brought it to life with the perfect blend of humor, interactivity, and patience. From that point on, the deal was sealed – I was a math geek for life (shout-out to Mr. Ward!) Beyond helping me develop a love for math, Mr. Ward highlighted for me just how important and valuable it is to be able to teach a complicated subject in a fun and engaging way. The same can be said for ad tech.
This is what U of Digital does so well, and is the reason why I jumped at the opportunity to become part of the family here! So I’m excited to officially announce that I’ve joined U of Digital as Managing Partner. For over three years, U of Digital has been providing great education and resources to demand side players. In this new role, I bring a complementary background and viewpoint, having worked closely with publishers and supply platforms for the past decade, heading up the Supply Strategy teams for Tribal Fusion/Exponential/VDX.tv. Publishers and content producers are an essential part of our connected world, creating all of the amazing websites, apps, and platforms we use every day. The more we can help them navigate the ecosystem and support their businesses with ad revenue will be a win for us all!
One final added bonus for me: Shiv is a good friend of mine that I’ve known many years, dating back to our early Ad.com days together. And when I saw him doing Mr. Ward-like things in the ad tech space, I knew it was a yes from me, dawg.
-Rick Abell