Gilad De Vries

Educational Background and Early Training

Gilad de Vries is a highly experienced professional with over two decades in the digital media and online advertising industry. His journey started with a thorough educational foundation, earning a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University between 1995 and 1999. Additionally, he has a background in computer programming, systems design, and systems analysis from his training at IDF's Mamram Software Engineering Training Program.

Advanced Education

In 2007, Gilad furthered his education by attaining an MBA in Global Management from Reichman University, which added a global perspective to his skill set. This background set the stage for a successful career in both strategic and hands-on roles across several high-profile organizations.

Early Career

Beginning his career at Amdocs in 1998 as a team leader specializing in performance tuning, Gilad moved on to Odigo in 1999, where he served as an R&D Team Leader and DBA and later as a Director of Operations. His tenure at Comverse Technology, Inc. started in 2004, where he first held the position of Pre-Sales Director and later Senior Director of Marketing and Product Management.

Transition to Digital Media

His journey in digital media took a significant turn in 2006 when he joined Viola Ventures as Principal and Vice President of Digital Media. During his time at Viola Ventures, he worked hands-on with digital media portfolio companies on various strategic aspects, including development and marketing.

Career at Outbrain

In 2011, Gilad's career path led him to Outbrain, a company specializing in web recommendation services. He started as Vice President, Brands and Agencies, developing go-to-market strategies for content marketing. He then served as SVP of Products and Business Intelligence from 2013 to 2016, leading product management and product marketing initiatives while also founding the Self Serve and Channels lines of business.

Since 2016, Gilad has been the Chief Strategy Officer at Outbrain. In this role, he has spearheaded the company’s long-term strategy, corporate development activities, strategic investments, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions. He has been instrumental in launching and expanding critical business lines, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and innovation.

Academic and Mentorship Roles

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Gilad is also a lecturer at Reichman University, where, since 2018, he has been teaching courses on innovation sourcing and scaling in corporate environments. He also served as a mentor in the university’s Zell Entrepreneurship Program, coaching students on creating real business ventures.

Professional Skillset

Throughout his career, Gilad has gained a robust skillset that includes:

• Management
• Business coaching
• Public speaking
• Advertising strategy
• Corporate development

His proficiency in English and Hebrew has also facilitated his ability to lead and innovate in various markets.

Recommendations and Recognition

Recommendations from colleagues and peers further affirm his impactful leadership. Notably:

• Shmulik Weller praised his knowledge and professionalism.
• Miko Levy noted his visionary leadership.

Summary

Gilad de Vries has made substantial contributions to every organization he has been part of, excelling as an executive leader and a mentor. His expertise in digital media and strategic thinking continues to drive growth and innovation in the industry.