GMR 2014
- 2. Overview
GM Ryan International
Executive search and consultancy firm established in 2005, supporting start-ups,
progressive growth companies, F500, and venerable VC’s, growth equity, and PE’s
Industrial Focus
Digital Media / SaaS / Mobile / e-Commerce / Emerging Marketing Technologies
Functional Focus
VP through CXO suite: GM, sales, BD, marketing, product, operations, finance,
analytics, technology
Multi-position projects: sales, BD, marketing, product, analytics
Geographic Focus
North America and western Europe with emphasis in media-centric and tech-centric
markets
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 3. We Place IMPACT PERFORMERS
CEO – Maxifier, supply side SaaS & AI platform - NYC
President/COO – Lotame Solutions, SaaS based data management platform - Baltimore
COO – Quality Health (MTS), performance marketing & web publisher - NYC
COO – Targeted Victory, digital agency – DC
CRO – grabNETWORKS, software encoding & video syndication platform - NYC
CRO – Lotame Solutions, SaaS based data management platform - NYC
CRO – Verve Mobile, mobile ad network - NYC
CRO – Yieldex, SaaS based supply side optimization & analytics – NYC/Toronto
CRO – Choicestream, data platform & DSP – NYC/Boston
CFO – SHIFT (grapheffect), social SaaS with Facebook API - NYC
CFO – Verve Mobile, mobile ad network - SoCal
CMO – thisMoment, social SaaS/CMS for brand engagement - SanFran
CMO – ReadyFinancial (acquired by AccountNow), online finance – Boise ID
GM North America – Dailymotion, online video destination – NYC
Head of Engineering – TargetedVictory, digital agency – DC
Head of Analytics – TargetedVictory, digital agency – DC
EVP Product – Nielsen Online, audience measurement – Palo Alto
EVP Product – Nielsen Online, advertising effectiveness - NYC
EVP Sales – Photobucket, social/mobile app & destination – SanFran
SVP Enterprise Sales – GovDelivery, SaaS to public sector – DC
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 4. We Place IMPACT PERFORMERS
SVP Sales – Taykey, real-time content marketing technology - NYC
SVP Sales & Operations North America – Mediafed, content discovery - NYC
SVP Sales – Voltari, mobile marketing & advertising solutions - NYC
SVP Sales – Velti, mobile marketing, media & technology - NYC
SVP Sales – Neulion/JumpTV, online video syndication and OVP - NYC
SVP Global Client Services & Ad Operations – DG/Mediamind, rich media/ad serving – NYC
Chief Scientist – Lotame Solutions, data management platform – NYC/Baltimore/Boston
VP Sales & Account Management – Acxiom, enterprise/SaaS data-driven marketing technology - SanFran
VP Business Development – VigLink, content driven commerce technology – SanFran
VP Demand Sales – Liverail, video ad serving – NYC/SanFran
VP Finance – Yieldex, SaaS based supply side optimization & analytics - NYC
VP Marketing – Upfront Digital (Legolas Media), programmatic premium buying platform - NYC
VP Marketing North America – Toluna, SaaS based survey & online subscription marketing – DC
VP New Business – Acxiom, enterprise/SaaS data-driven marketing technology - NYC
VP Sales (2) – isocket, programmatic premium API - NYC
VP Sales (3) – thisMoment, social SaaS/CMS for brand engagement – Chicago/NYC/SanFran
VP Marketing – kickapps (KIT Digital), white label video syndication - NYC
VP Sales – Ensequence, interactive television –NYC
VP Analytics – Mediamath, demand side platform - NYC
VP Ad Operations – Verve Mobile, mobile ad network – DC/NYC
VP Operations – ResonateInsights, data driven ad network – DC
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 6. Industry Experts
Brian Mitchell, Managing Partner
20+ years in senior leadership roles within enterprise technology; 8+ as founder of GM Ryan
150+ senior placements in internet technology space with focus on VP – CXO functional roles
Steve Touhill, General Partner
20+ years selling online advertising and interactive technology for AOL, Lightningcast (sold to AOL),
Clearspring (addthis), and early on with Ogilvy & Mather in media planning
5+ years representing high-profile clients across the U.S. w/ several dozen senior executive placements
Gena Sikorsky, General Partner – Candidate Development
Responsible for internal recruitment development and quality control
9+ years successfully placing top candidates in NYC, DC, Chicago, San Fran, LA, London, Paris, Madrid
Camilla McInnes, Director - Europe
9+ years executive search experience within the digital advertising and technology space
Anchored and helped grow numerous U.S. businesses in all major European territories including:
Specific Media, Bazaarvoice, Tremor Video, RocketFuel, RadiumOne, Undertone, Millennial Media
Associates, research, admin, and operations staff support our leaders
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 7. Proven Methodology
Over nearly a decade, we’ve completed hundreds of senior searches for our clients with a highly
developed and repeatable 24 step search model. The key milestones include:
Client discovery, alignment, and fully defined situational analysis
Current and custom research
Exhaustive announcement, interviewing, qualifying, attracting
Presentation of benchmark candidates
Ongoing courtship and scrutiny of select candidates
Ongoing alignment and calibration with client
Rigorous due diligence, reference and background checks
Offer preparation, pre-mediation, counter-offer mitigation, closing
Onboarding and retention strategies with client and candidate over first 100 days and
throughout first year
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 8. Differentiators
Shared Risk: unlike most of our competitors, GM Ryan confidently charges most of our service fee after we’ve fulfilled the
search. We charge 1/3 to initiate the search and all remaining fees are charged once we’ve fully secured the talent for our
client. Our clients never have to worry about our motivation to succeed on their behalf, to do it right, and to earn their
ongoing searches.
Accountability: the Partner who contracts your search will “own” that search from beginning to end. He/she will have
research and coordination support, but your project will not be delegated to a junior recruiter. Every call, interview,
debrief, mediation, and substantive touch point with you and the candidates will be handled by your Partner.
Minimal Conflicts: we have representation on both coasts, London and Tokyo, but we are a boutique firm highly selective
about which clients we represent. Some of our competitors represent as much as 53% of their industry sector which
means they are ethically prevented from recruiting over half of their industry! This significant limitation is something we
purposefully avoid, allowing us to be exhaustive in our client recruiting efforts.
Reciprocal Advocacy: beyond exceptional recruiting results, we are true extensions of our client’s business. Our clients are
colleagues and we help in any respectful manner we can: BD and partnership intros; investor intros; expertise on org
structure, compensation planning, culture development, recruitment branding, and retention strategy. There is no cost
associated with these value adds.
Results: 81% of our business is with repeat clients
67 calendar days = avg. project length for VP/CXO search from signed contract to candidate acceptance
7 business days = avg. time for GM Ryan to present first benchmark candidate after discovery phase
10 business days = avg. time for GM Ryan to present first 3 benchmark candidates after discovery phase
97% search completion rate
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 9. Intangibles
Access – the most marketable professionals have options and they carefully evaluate who can and can’t
help them advance their careers. We know these impactful leaders and they know GM Ryan as a credible
conduit to advancing opportunities. Our calls are taken and respectfully considered.
Credibility – our recruiters are operators with decades of hands-on experience building and leading teams,
divisions, and entire companies – we’ve walked in the hiring authority shoes for years and this business
leadership experience cannot be replicated in any training environment.
Integrity – we know and understand the importance, impact and cost of every hiring decision. We
evaluate talent for our clients utilizing the same discerning methods we use to recruit and hire our own
staff. Our mission is to earn “trusted advisor” status with every meaningful influencer in our space.
Communication – as an extension of their organization, our clients require truly qualified “brand
ambassadors” representing their interests in the marketplace. Talk with a member of our leadership team
and evaluate firsthand if you can’t quickly recognize our elevated ability to listen, understand, and
persuasively convey back your opportunity.
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 11. Select Testimony
“I've known GM Ryan and Brian for a number of years as we've both risen in this space and he is hands down the best
executive recruiter I've worked with. Beyond stellar results in representing opportunities, candidates, or investors, he's a
business executive and industry insider who is generously willing to offer valuable insight and counsel. If you want your
recruiting partner to be a true collegial advocate both immediate and long term, he's your guy.”
Tony Katsur, CEO – Maxifier
"Brian placed both my COO at my previous company and my head of marketing at Legolas, both of which are rock stars. He is
my go-to resource when it comes to hiring senior leaders; both because of his obvious access to the talent pool, but more
importantly, to his investment in understanding our business, its culture and strategy, and working with me as the
organizations have evolved. Brian is a truly perceptive member of the adtech space, he offers great insights beyond the
obvious both in and out of recruiting. Brian puts the client first and I've learned I can trust him to offer concise and candid
advice regardless of the potential benefit to his own firm. I regularly discuss team related issues within him well outside of an
immediate recruiting need. I highly recommend Brian and his firm, GM Ryan, to other executives in the internet technology
space seeking high quality recruitment representation.“
Jonathon Shaevitz, CEO – Upfront Digital Media
"Verve Wireless has relied on Steve to help us build a strong team of revenue-impacting executives in multiple markets across
the country. Given their nationwide relationships with the highest quality candidates, GM Ryan International is the only
search firm we work with. Steve is more than a recruiter; he's a trusted business partner.“
Tom MacIsaac, CEO – Verve Mobile
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 12. Select Testimony
“GM Ryan has been a reliable partner of Lotame's for the past 6 years. Brian Mitchell has led many searches for our
company, including both President/COO as well as CRO. GM Ryan and Brian Mitchell go the extra mile to understand our
needs, maintain a high level of "quality" communication, and deliver us a stream of candidates that meet (or exceed) our
expectations. When I say "quality" communication, I mean just that. Brian Mitchell moves at my pace-- which is fast. He
moves quickly, and adjusts his pace to match mine. I cannot tell you how valuable that is to me, and it is a key reason that we
have relied on Brian and GM Ryan to conduct our most important executive searches. I highly recommend GM Ryan to any
candidate or employer, who is looking for a "unique, reliable, and consistent" partner. GM Ryan delivers, and for me -- the
results speak for themselves time and time again, year over year.”
Andy Monfried, CEO – Lotame Solutions
“Mitch and GM Ryan have had a significant impact in our external recruiting efforts, having helped us to identify, court, and
ultimately hire several senior professionals across the country. Mitch has demonstrated a consistently collegial approach to
our evolving needs as a company, projects a polished and professional communication out in the market, and has intangible
instincts as a hiring executive. I'll continue to work with GM Ryan for my strategic initiatives and highly recommend
them.”
Tom McMahon, President - Videology
“Steve's past success as a sales executive in our industry uniquely qualifies him to identify outstanding candidates in an
increasingly technology-driven digital media landscape. The talented professionals that Steve placed with AdMeld remain
among our top performers today.“
Michael Barrett, CEO – AdMeld
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 13. Select Testimony
"I really value the relationship I have with Brian. While he and his team certainly deliver highly qualified senior professionals
as a recruiting resource, I've come to rely on Brian as a trusted advisor when recruiting and managing senior talent. He
clearly understands the digital media and technology space, but more importantly, he understands people and company
culture. If you truly believe that your employees are your greatest asset and not just a commodity, then work with GM
Ryan.”
Stephano Kim, President – grapheffect (shift)
"I've worked with Brian over the last few years and have found him to be an exceptional recruiting resource and industry ally.
I recently retained GM Ryan to find us a world-class Head of Media Sales where Brian delivered several highly qualified
candidates including the top candidate who we hired in just over two months total processing time. The speed was
impressive, but the candidate quality was even more impressive. Brian also possesses a down to earth yet highly
knowledgeable and professional communication style which gives me confidence that the optimal market message is being
represented for my company and brand. I will definitely work with Brian and GM Ryan well into the future and highly
recommend their service.”
Amit Chaturvedi, COO – Taykey (former GM Velti)
“MediaMath has engaged GM Ryan on a few strategic searches over the years and we've experienced very strong
results. Brian and his team take a highly targeted and purposeful approach to finding top tier professionals that stand
out from other candidates. They are consistently professional and exceptional brand ambassadors for MediaMath in the
marketplace. I'd certainly recommend GM Ryan.“
Ari Buchalter, COO – MediaMath
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 14. Select Testimony
"Brian is a first-call guy. He and the GM Ryan team are simply the best in the business. They've come through for me on
numerous occasions, usually in the most challenging of hiring times. Brian and his team know their industry like few other
firms in the space, they understand people and have a genuine appreciation for customer service. Whether I have a personnel
need or just a question about an industry-related topic, my first call is to Brian.”
Bryon Evje, CRO –SpotXchange
“Brian and GM Ryan were amazingly efficient to work with for our COO search, and they produced outstanding results in
record time (under 3 months). They quickly grasped our business (performance-based online marketing) and what was really
needed in the COO role. They sourced a half dozen of the best candidates in the industry within the first month of the search
process. They provided thoughtful and objective counsel through the entire search process. I will use them again and would
highly recommend them to anyone searching for a senior executive in online marketing or related spaces.”
Rob Rebak, CEO & Chairman – QualityHealth
"We've engaged GM Ryan on a few VP+ roles over the last year with success. Brian is very conscientious about representing
our interests in the marketplace and has a knack for identifying and attracting top tier talent for our consideration. I think
Brian gets the nuances of growing start-ups in particular. I'd use GM Ryan again on appropriate searches and
recommend them to others in the digital media and technology space.“
Vince Broady, CEO – thisMoment
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International
- 15. Select Testimony
"Great service, great results. Brian definitely understands how to recruit strong senior talent, however I particularly value his
intangible ability to read situations and people while advocating and adapting in my company's best interests. Brian is
unbiased, insightful, and efficient. If you're seeking senior recruitment representation in digital media/technology that will
not only perform at a high level, but who truly cares about your success then I'd recommend working with Brian and GM
Ryan."
Rich Stalzer, CEO - Voltari
"Yieldex retained GM Ryan International to fill three critical leadership positions in sales, marketing, and finance. Steve's
broad-ranging industry relationships, tenacity, and ability to adjust to occasionally fluid requirements were keys to
successful placements in each instance."
Andy Nibley, CEO - Yieldex
“Over the past three years Krux has worked with a number of recruitment firms to help us grow our market team. Brian and
the GM Ryan team consistently delivered the most professional service, and the highest level candidates, and we will
continue working with them. Yes they helped us find great talent, but we also found that their professional approach
across their deep network and the industry also helped us to market the Krux brand. That's a great 1-2 punch.”
Gordon McLeod, President - Krux
Copyright © 2014 GM Ryan International