Rocco Zanni
Podcast Tech Innovator | Startup CTO, 2x Successful M&A | Scaling B2C Products & Remote Teams
As CTO and co-founder of Spreaker and Voxnest, I architected and scaled industry-leading podcast hosting and monetization technology that was ultimately acquired by iHeartMedia, America's #1 audio company.
I led the development of innovative podcast monetization solutions including programmatic advertising and dynamic ad insertion technology, enabling podcast publishers to generate revenue without having to source sponsors directly.
I successfully guided technology strategy and engineering teams through the merger of Spreaker and BlogTalkRadio to form Voxnest, and later through the iHeartMedia acquisition, seamlessly integrating disparate systems while maintaining service quality.
Key Achievements
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Architected and scaled Spreaker's technology infrastructure, supporting a vast user base and establishing it as a leading podcast hosting platform.
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Led the development of Voxnest's dynamic ad insertion technology, enhancing monetization opportunities for podcasters through innovative AdTech solutions.
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Directed technical due diligence and integration during the iHeartMedia acquisition, aligning Voxnest's technology stack with broader organizational goals.
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Built and led distributed engineering teams across multiple countries, cultivating a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
Leadership Philosophy
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Embrace change as a constant, leveraging it to drive innovation and adaptability within teams.
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Effective leadership transcends technical expertise; it requires emotional intelligence to understand team dynamics, address concerns, and foster a supportive environment that enables growth and success.
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Navigate uncertainty with confidence, making informed decisions even without complete information—a hallmark of effective leadership.
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Cultivate broad knowledge across disciplines to lead effectively, balancing curiosity with strategic oversight.
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Align technological initiatives with business objectives, ensuring that engineering efforts drive meaningful outcomes beyond mere execution.
Personal Insights
- I need to understand the big picture
- I like good and concise writing
- I really want to know how you're doing
- Late afternoon is my peak productivity
- Reserved but open to conversation
- Coffee, cats and pizza enthusiast