Tom MacIsaac
Tom is the President and CEO of RBmedia, the world’s largest publisher of audiobooks and a leading distributor of digital media to consumers. In 2018, global private equity firm KKR acquired RBmedia in a deal valued at over $500M.
Tom is also the President of Cove Street Partners, an investment and advisory firm helping technology companies succeed across the lifecycle – from innovation, to scaled growth, through to exit. Cove Street has helped many early-stage companies including Webs (Vistaprint), Vubiquity (DOX), Mobile Posse (APPS), Cardstar (Constant Contact), Digitalsmiths (TIVO) and Videology (Singtel) grow their businesses and find successful exits. Tom has also been instrumental in the founding and growth of Extreme Reach and ICX Media, having served as a Founding Board Member of each company from inception.
Tom was formerly CEO of Verve Mobile. Verve was one of the first companies to use mobile data and analytics to better understand the consumer journey and harness that knowledge for advertisers. He grew Verve from a small start-up to over 150 people, profitability and over $100M annual revenue. Prior to joining Verve, Tom was CEO of ExtendMedia, a leading IP video software company serving customers including AT&T, Verizon, Disney, and Paramount. Extend was acquired by Cisco Systems (CSCO) in 2010 and is the software layer for its current OTT offering.
Tom also served as CEO of Lightningcast, a pioneer in online video where he led the development of the first advertising technology platform specifically designed for monetizing broadband video and launched the first online video ad network. After AOL acquired Lightningcast in 2006, Tom served as SVP Strategy and Corporate Development at AOL overseeing strategy, strategic planning, and corporate and business development for AOL’s advertising businesses, leading over $1B in acquisitions.
Prior to Lightningcast, Tom founded and served as CEO of Backwire, an online and mobile messaging company that was acquired by Leap Wireless (ATT) in 2001. Prior to his career in digital media and technology, Tom was a corporate lawyer with the global law firm Dechert. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College and a JD from the Catholic University of America.