Ad.net names Vincent Meyer CEO as founder Jon Waterman moves to vice chairman

Ad.net has appointed former Taboola executive Vincent Meyer as chief executive officer, with founder Jon Waterman shifting to vice chairman. The leadership change comes as the digital performance marketing company looks to accelerate growth across search and social advertising.

Why it matters: - Ad.net is changing leadership as it tries to scale its performance marketing platform and push further into search and social advertising. - The move signals a planned succession, not a crisis, after more than 25 years of leadership under founder Jon Waterman. - Meyer brings experience in data, programmatic media, identity solutions and business development across major ad tech companies.

What happened: - Ad.net appointed Vincent Meyer as chief executive officer. - Jon Waterman, Ad.net's founder and current CEO, will transition to vice chairman. - The company said Meyer’s appointment follows an extensive CEO search led by Ad.net’s board and Waterman as part of succession planning. - The announcement was made on October 6, 2026.

The details: - Meyer joins Ad.net from Taboola, where he was Global Head of Data and Strategic Partnerships. - At Taboola, Meyer focused on expanding programmatic and video demand, data and identity solutions, attribution and new business lines. - Meyer has more than two decades of experience in digital advertising, data, technology and strategic partnerships. - His prior roles include leadership positions at Criteo and adMarketplace. - At Criteo, Meyer worked during the company’s rapid global expansion. - At adMarketplace, Meyer focused on publisher development and search advertising beyond traditional search engines. - Waterman said Meyer’s ability to scale businesses and build go-to-market engines makes him the right leader for Ad.net's next chapter. - Meyer said Ad.net's Search IQ and Social IQ platforms give the company a differentiated way to cover more of an advertiser’s digital media budget. - Meyer said he will work with Ad.net’s team and Clarion Capital Partners to accelerate growth and pursue new opportunities. - Ad.net partnered with Clarion Capital Partners in 2021 to accelerate growth. - Since that partnership, Ad.net has expanded its performance marketing platform and its capabilities across search and social advertising. - Brandon Katz, managing director at Clarion, said Meyer’s experience and track record make him well suited to lead Ad.net through its next stage of growth.

Between the lines: - The leadership change reflects a broader push to prepare Ad.net for its next growth phase with a CEO who has deep ad tech and data experience. - The emphasis on Search IQ and Social IQ suggests Ad.net wants to position itself as a broader performance marketing platform rather than a search-only business. - Clarion’s continued support points to investor confidence in the company’s strategy and leadership transition.

What's next: - Meyer is expected to lead Ad.net’s next phase of growth alongside the existing team and Clarion Capital Partners. - The company is likely to keep building on its search and social advertising offerings as it targets incremental customer acquisition for brands and agencies. - Waterman will remain involved as vice chairman during the transition.

The bottom line: - Ad.net is handing the CEO role to an ad tech veteran as it prepares to expand beyond its current performance marketing base.