Paul Verna Email and Phone Number

As Vice President of Content, I head up global coverage of advertising and media, technology, and social media. I lead a team of analysts focused on research reports, client presentations, webinars, podcasts, and media appearances across those topic areas.

Led a team of analysts covering key advertising formats (display, search, video, connected TV, social, mobile, audio, and out-of-home), programmatic, addressable, and ad tech; and media channels including video, audio, and gaming, focusing on monetization, audience metrics, platforms, and content.Headed up aggregation and analysis of third-party data, benchmarking, forecasting, and primary-research initiatives aimed at facilitating clients’ strategic decision-making.Wrote reports, briefings, and newsletter articles on advertising and media, and presented in webinars, videos, podcasts, and industry events as a thought leader in those disciplines.Represented the Advertising & Media practice on national TV and radio outlets and in digital news media, including Bloomberg TV, CNBC, Cheddar TV, NPR, Marketplace, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes.

Created the Insider Intelligence/eMarketer Content Studio and led a team that produced the company’s multimedia programming—videos, podcasts, and live-streamed webinars—and written sponsored content. These programs were distributed via owned properties and syndicated on major video sharing, social media, and podcast platforms. The team more than doubled in size during my tenure.The Content Studio directly supported over $7 million in sponsored content and native advertising revenue in 2020; the studio also supported Insider Intelligence’s subscription business.Developed new webinar and video programming to align with sponsorship and subscription business units; diversified podcast portfolio with new shows that featured senior executives and principal analysts; drove a 20% increase in podcast listens in 2020; frequently appeared as host and guest on podcast episodes.

Covered the streaming video and TV industries, focusing on advertising- and subscription-based monetization, content trends, consumer usage, and technology platforms. Created the quarterly “Digital Video Trends” and annual “Subscription Video Landscape” report series, which have been among the most-sought-after titles by eMarketer/Insider Intelligence clients and served as a template for similar products in other coverage areas.Made frequent media appearances on national TV (CBS News, CNBC) and national radio (NPR, APM), and in prominent news outlets including The New York Times, BusinessWeek, and Fortune.

Covered media and entertainment verticals including digital video, music, movies, sports, gaming, blogging, podcasting, and social media. Created data models that served as the basis for the eMarketer Forecasting team.Represented eMarketer via panels and presentations at industry events including Advertising Week, ad:tech, and Digital Hollywood, and as a keynote speaker for organizations including the Interactive Advertising Bureau and the Magazine Publishers Association.Regularly appeared in a broad spectrum of media outlets as an industry expert and thought leader.

Led corporate communications, media relations, and marketing communications for The Orchard, a pioneer in digital media distribution, marketing, and sales. Supervised an in-house PR team and a network of agencies in the U.S. and Europe. Secured coverage and features in leading trade, business, and general-interest outlets and blogs, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS TV, BBC Radio, Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Pitchfork.

Managed internal and external communications at Avid Technology, a leader in digital editing systems for film, TV, and audio production. Drafted press releases, earnings scripts, and executive speeches surrounding mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives. Planned and executed events including artist appearances and quarterly company meetings.

Owned and operated an audio and video production company that specialized in location recording and video capture, editing, mixing, and mastering. Corporate clients included Universal Music, Capitol Records, WFUV, Cablevision, Public Radio International, and Clear Channel Entertainment. Worked with artists including David Johansen, Vernon Reid, Randy Brecker, Godsmack, Jane Siberry, and Ben E. King.

Served in various senior editorial positions at Billboard, the music industry’s leading trade publication. These included Reviews Editor (1992-1999), Pro Audio/Technology Editor (1994-2000), and News and Features Writer (1990-2000). Covered industry news and events, and interviewed a wide range of artists, producers, and industry executives, including Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Les Paul, and Clive Davis. Created and authored the Studio Monitor column, which looked at the recording industry through a personal lens. Co-founded the Billboard Café series of in-office artist performances, which featured the likes of the Chieftains, Iris DeMent, and Cat Stevens.