33Across CMO, Lisa Mollura, spoke with Bold Journey to discuss her leadership in adtech, the importance of communication, and we need to amplify diverse perspectives in ad tech.
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We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Mollura recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
My communication skills come from my love for learning languages and teaching English as a second language. It taught me how to break down complex ideas into simple, clear messages. Whether I’m talking to a non-native English speaker or explaining technical concepts, I focus on being direct and easy to understand. This skill has been super helpful in marketing and ad tech, where things can get really complicated quickly. Regardless of your background, understanding how to come across clearly is an essential skill.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the CMO at 33Across, an adtech company that helps advertisers activate their audiences and media across CTV, app, and web display. The company has been a player in data curation and identity for over 15 years. What’s exciting right now is how we’re combining three key areas of our business and partnering across the industry – we’re realizing that independent players need to work together. We’re at an interesting moment in ad tech where collaboration is key. Personally, I’m passionate about not just marketing, but also ensuring women have a strong voice and support each other in the industry. Our focus is on building meaningful partnerships and creating more inclusive spaces in tech.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Always be willing to learn and go the extra mile. Continuously seek knowledge, be open to new experiences, and don’t be afraid to push beyond your comfort zone. Approach each task with curiosity and a desire to grow professionally.
2. Stay true to yourself and stay eager to learn. It’s okay to be uncomfortable because that’s where real growth happens. Don’t be intimidated by how different you might look or feel compared to others around you. Find a balance between being authentic and being willing to develop professionally.
3. Understand the importance of relationships. Make the extra effort to understand who you’re working with, your customers’ problems, and build connections that go beyond just transactional interactions. Maintaining good relationships, showing empathy, and genuinely understanding others can foster opportunities for mutual support and growth.
Overall my advice to those early in their careers– Whether you’re bilingual, from a different background, or in a male-dominated field, your unique perspective is your strength. Never stop investing in your professional development and be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The AdTech industry is constantly evolving, and one of my biggest challenges is increasing diverse representation and inclusivity. Through my involvement with The Women In Programmatic Network (TWIPN), I’m working to amplify different voices and create more opportunities for underrepresented professionals. We’re focused on building resources, providing platforms for diverse perspectives, and supporting women in all areas of adtech. By creating a network and sharing experiences, we’re trying to change the landscape of who leads conversations in our industry and ensure more inclusive representation at all levels.
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This original article was originally featured on Bold Journey.
