Karen Cahn

Business leader, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Jewish, Marketer, Producer, Sales specialist, Social entrepreneur, Startup, Web guru

KAREN CAHN VProud, Google, YouTube, AOL: Digital media executive and entrepreneur with 16 years of experience in strategic partnerships, monetization, branded content, and product strategy/development across video, display, programmatic, and search advertising PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE VProud, Inc., New York, NY 2014 - Present Founder & CEO Founding CEO of video-based conversation platform for women. Responsible for all product and business strategy, operations, marketing and evangelizing of custom web application. Early results included hiring and managing 5 full-time, cross-functional employees and 10 freelancers, traffic growing from 0 to 500,000 unique users/month. Executed successful launch of custom web application including communications strategy, resulting in positive press from The New York Times, New York Magazine, CNN, ABC News, Huffington Post, Digiday, Bustle, The Daily Dot, and others. AOL, New York, NY 2011 - 2014 GM, Original Video Responsible for creating both the original video and branded content business units. Drove the product strategy and vision, hired and directed a team of 25 to source, package, and sell original video content experiences. Full P&L accountability for sales and revenue management to advertisers and partner/talent management, including business development and deal terms. Results included revenues growing from $9 to $60M in 2 years at a consistent 100-125% of objective, while spending less than targeted budget. Managed production of Emmy-nomiated slate of 15 original video series debuted at the 2013 Aol Newfront, attended by over 1200 advertising and agency executives; cited by the press and analysts as the leading edge Newfront of 2013. Press consistently cited Aol as one of the new industry leaders in premium original video content alongside Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, Yahoo. Google, New York, NY 2001 – 2011 Head of Sales, YouTube Partners 2010 – 2011 Created YouTube’s first global branded entertainment platform for top tier YouTube creators and advertisers. Developed strategic video content platforms across Google properties and products. Directed content producers and client brand teams to drive customized programming to meet the needs of Fortune 500 brands. In the first year, branded entertainment revenues topped $20M, and set the stage for Google’s significant investments in original content. Received Operating Committee award for YouTube Montization awarded to the top performing teams globally. Head of Video, Display and Search Sales, Regional/ Industry Verticals 2004 – 2010 Hired, trained, and developed a team of 30 account executive, managers, and operations executives to drive traffic monetization. Developed C-Level relationships, drove strategic partnerships resulting in 140% of sales quota from display and video advertising. Two time winner of Google’s “G-Values” award for top sales leadership presented to the top 1% of sales performers Account Executive, Senior Account Executive 2001 - 2004 Sold and managed key accounts in the Boston and Canada markets as well as key accounts in the Financial Services sector. Consistently exceeded all quota targets and received both Google’s annual award for best performance by an Account Executive in 2003, and the Razorfish award for best AE. Salon.com, Cendant Corp, The Larkin Group Account Executive/Sales Manager 1997 - 2001 Sold digital and print advertising, sponsorships, promotions, and trade show space to a variety of businesses and advertising agencies. Received incentive awards for best sales performance and most new business at both Cendant and The Larkin Group. Consistently exceeded revenue quotas. EDUCATION University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 1992 - 1996 Bachelor of Arts, Double major in History and African-American Studies ABOUT ME I’m a passionate entrepreneur who thrives in both a startup environment and in a large corporation. My love is digital video, brands, and how the two can thrive together to make the Internet a better place. I’m on the board of advisors of Girl Rising, a global movement for girl’s education in developing countries, I won two Google “Operating Committee” awards for excellence in sales and service. I’m a firm believer in the saying “You are what you do, not what you say.” I have loved every job I have ever had, and only chose to work with companies I believe in. @karencahn on VProud, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest

Easing the guilt of being a working mom, #FemaleCreativeEconomy in digital video, female film makers, honest lady talk, peaceful co-parenting, finding decent road food between New York and Cape Cod.

I believe that we vote with our clicks, and you are what you click on. So, with that, click on content made by women. Why? So that women make more money. When women have financial freedom, they are happier, more confident, and love themselves more. This feeling trickles down to their children who will be, in turn, happier, more confident, and will love themselves. So, my idea worth spreading is....support the #FemaleCreativeEconomy online and vote for women with your clicks.

AdWords, Conversation, communication, digital video, Divorce, facebook advertising, special needs children, YouTube | Partner Management | Strategy & Audience Measurement

Predicting the future of digital media. No really, I'm good at this.