07 Aug Member Spotlight Series: Kelly Dotseth
Kelly Dotseth is a founder and the COO of Brandzooka, a Boulder-based startup that has built a platform to democratize video advertising. Brandzooka gives any advertiser in the world access to primetime TV and top-tier digital inventory, without the complex technology, knowledge, and cost barriers that exist traditionally within ad tech.
She began her career with a short stint in the German legal world, after which she moved back to the States and was an early team member at several tech startups in Denver.
We asked Kelly a few questions…
Name a book or blog that changed your life?
The Devil Came on Horseback by Brian Steidle and Gretchen Steidle Wallace—a harrowing eyewitness account of the horrific genocide that was happening in Sudan’s western province of Darfur in the early 2000s.
This book was the first work of non-fiction I had read that was detailing atrocities that weren’t historical, but were playing out during the very moments that I was sitting reading about them in my protected first-world bubble. It was one of the first memorable jarring experiences I had trying to process how evil humans can be.
There isn’t an easy answer to solving all of the world’s crises. But if knowledge is a necessary precursor for action, then perhaps an attempted altruistic commitment to inform ourselves in matters concerning others’ plights is one of the greatest services we can partake in. I credit this book both with being the derivation of a voracious non-fiction reading appetite, an interest in global affairs, and also for being my initial lens and reminder of how unfairly lucky I am to tear my hair out over “first-world problems.”
In 5 words or less, describe what has been most important to your success in your career?
Willingness to take uncomfortable risks.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently helping to build Brandzooka, a company I cofounded in 2015. Several years ago, we realized that business of all sizes were producing stellar video content—but there were massive distribution barriers in place. As Alex Bogusky asked, “why can’t this local coffee shop get their video ad on the front page of CNN?” Why do we see the same multi-billion-dollar brand’s commercial (think Chevy truck ads) ten times in a row any time we’re consuming video content anywhere? We set out to build a platform that would truly democratize the video advertising landscape, giving businesses of all sizes access to the powerful programmatic video advertising space.
Our mission is to give every brand in the world access to TV & digital advertising slots that, historically, only the largest companies in the world have had access to. I’m really proud of what we’ve built. For $35, any business in the world can place primetime TV ads through our platform. Pretty cool, right?!
If you could give your 20-year-old self-advice, what would it be?
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Comfort is a sign that you’re not pushing yourself enough. Stop worrying so much about messing up. You’ll be waiting forever if you wait until you feel completely ready to try or do something. Do things that you don’t feel completely ready to do.
Oh—and if those cute heels pinch your toes even a little bit when you try them on at the store, they’re not worth it. Save the money and buy some bitcoin instead.
Every month we spotlight an amazing woman who is part of the SheSays Boulder community. Some have shared their story as a speaker at our events. All are women who’ve inspired us with their work, heart, and vision. Want to connect with an amazing community of woman making a difference in the digital world? Follow us on MeetUp, sign up on the email list or find our next event on Event Brite and join the fun.
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