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Michael Walrath

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Michael Walrath
Born (1975-04-17) April 17, 1975 (age 49)
Brookfield, Connecticut, US
EducationBrookfield High School, University of Richmond
OccupationBusinessman
Known forCEO and founder of Right Media
WebsiteWGI Group

Michael Walrath (born April 17, 1975) is an American investor, advisor, and entrepreneur known for founding and leading startup and expansion-stage companies. He was the CEO and founder of Right Media, an online advertising exchange marketplace that was acquired by Yahoo for $850 million in 2007.[1] Walrath is also a co-founder of the WGI Group, an early-stage venture capital firm.

Early life and education

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Walrath grew up in Brookfield, Connecticut, and graduated from Brookfield High School. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Richmond.

Career

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Early career

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After college, Walrath worked in promotional marketing for Reebok and held roles as a personal trainer and fitness program manager.[2] In 1999, he joined DoubleClick, where he became the director of direct marketing and later the senior vice president of strategy and development at MaxWorldwide. During his time at DoubleClick, he helped create DoubleClick Direct, a direct marketing service.[2]

Right Media

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In 2003, Walrath founded Right Media, a digital advertising exchange marketplace. The company experienced rapid growth, with revenues increasing from $1.3 million in 2003 to $34.8 million in 2006.[1] Inc. magazine ranked Right Media 43rd on its list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.[3] Walrath served as Yahoo's Senior Vice President of Advertising Strategy until 2009.[4]

WGI Group and Investments

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In 2009, Walrath co-founded the WGI Group with Noah and Jonah Goodhart.[4] The venture capital firm focuses on seed investments in internet-based startups. Walrath also became chairman of Yext,[5] a location data software company, and chairman of Moat,[6] an analytics company specializing in digital ads.

Atlas Films

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In 2008, Walrath co-founded Atlas Films, a production company focused on feature-length documentary films[7] addressing social issues.[8] The company's debut film, Tapped, examined the bottled water industry's environmental and health impacts. Atlas Films also partnered with Katie Couric on The Big Picture,[9] a documentary exploring the root causes of childhood obesity.[10]

Other ventures

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In 2012, Walrath acquired The Surf Lodge, a concert and nightlife venue in Montauk, New York, [11] and became part-owner of the restaurant Swallow East, also in Montauk.[12]

Philanthropy

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In 2008, Walrath and his wife, Michelle, founded the Walrath Family Foundation, which supports social, environmental, and health organizations.[13] The foundation has contributed to environmental groups such as Grassroots Environmental Education, Food and Water Watch, and the Peconic Land Trust.[14] The Walrath Family Foundation also supports arts initiatives and organizations focused on addressing humanitarian crises, including genocide.[15]

Recognition

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In 2007, Walrath received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work with Right Media.[13]

Key accomplishments

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  • Right Media: Founded and sold the company to Yahoo for $850 million.
  • Yext: Board chair of a company valued at $270 million.[16]
  • Atlas Films: Produced socially conscious documentaries such as Tapped.
  • WGI Group: Co-founded a venture capital firm investing in internet startups

References

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  1. ^ a b "(Founder Stories) How Mike Walrath Built Right Media And Sold It For $850 Million". TechCrunch. April 12, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "English major Michael Walrath, '97, sells his fledgling Internet company to Yahoo for $720 million". Richmond: The Alumni Magazine. December 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  3. ^ "Inc 500 - Right Media". Inc. June 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Right Media Founder to Leave Yahoo". The Wall Street Journal. November 16, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  5. ^ "Right Media Founder Michael Walrath Becomes Chairman of Yext". TechCrunch. March 18, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  6. ^ "Clicks Be Gone: AdTech Disrupter Moat Raises $12M Series B From Mayfield, Others". TechCrunch. April 23, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "Atlas Films: Rich Remsberg Image Research". atlasfilms.org. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  8. ^ "Michael Walrath". January 2008. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "The Big Picture". January 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  10. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (2012-04-25). "Katie Couric, Laurie David Team for Feature-Length Obesity Doc (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  11. ^ "A Tech Entrepreneur Just Bought One Of The Hottest Nightspots In The Hamptons". Business Insider. April 30, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  12. ^ "Interview: Swallow East Co-Owner James Tchinnis Talks About The Opening Of His New Montauk Restaurant". Guest of a Guest. June 14, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Yext Appoints Right Media Founder Michael Walrath to Chairman Post". SFGate. March 21, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  14. ^ "Homepage". Peconic. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  15. ^ "Michael Walrath - Tech Philanthropists | Donors | Foundations - Inside Philanthropy". insidephilanthropy.squarespace.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.[permanent dead link‍]
  16. ^ "Yext Raises $27M More At A $270M Valuation". TechCrunch. June 12, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
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