The Trade Desk Appoints Omar Tawakol to Its Board of Directors, Strengthening Leadership in Ad Tech and AI
The Trade Desk (Nasdaq: TTD), a global leader in advertising technology, has announced the appointment of Omar Tawakol to its board of directors. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of advertising technology, data platforms, and artificial intelligence, Tawakol brings a wealth of expertise that aligns seamlessly with The Trade Desk’s mission to redefine programmatic advertising. His addition to the board underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and leadership in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.
“Omar is one of the most influential figures in ad tech and AI, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to our board of directors,” said Jeff Green, CEO and Co-Founder of The Trade Desk. “From founding BlueKai and helping define the Data Management Platform (DMP) category to pioneering advancements at the intersection of AI and advertising through Voicea and Rembrand, Omar has consistently been at the forefront of industry innovation. His deep technical expertise, product intuition, and proven ability to build successful companies make him an invaluable asset as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in programmatic advertising.”
Tawakol’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking ventures that have shaped the evolution of advertising technology and AI. He currently serves as the CEO and Founder of Rembrand, a cutting-edge creative AI platform that allows brands to insert virtual product placements into video content with remarkable precision and scalability. Rembrand exemplifies how AI can transform traditional advertising methods, offering brands unprecedented flexibility and reach in their marketing efforts.
Prior to founding Rembrand, Tawakol established Voicea, a voice collaboration platform that leveraged AI to generate meeting summaries and actionable insights. Cisco acquired Voicea in 2019, and Tawakol subsequently led product-led growth initiatives for the Webex division, further solidifying his reputation as a visionary in leveraging AI to enhance workplace productivity and communication.
Tawakol’s contributions to the advertising technology ecosystem extend even further back. He founded BlueKai, a pioneering data management platform (DMP) that revolutionized how marketers activated audience data across digital channels. BlueKai’s success caught the attention of Oracle, which acquired the company in 2014. Following the acquisition, Tawakol served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Oracle Data Cloud, where he oversaw data and measurement solutions used by many of the world’s largest brands. His work at Oracle helped establish the foundational infrastructure that powers modern data-driven marketing strategies.
“I’ve long admired what Jeff and the team at The Trade Desk have built,” said Tawakol. “Their ability to combine purpose, performance, and product excellence has reshaped the digital advertising industry. As we enter the next frontier of AI and advertising, I’m excited to contribute my experience and support The Trade Desk’s mission as it continues to scale globally and lead the charge in this transformative era.”
In addition to his new role at The Trade Desk, Tawakol also serves on the board of directors at LiveRamp (NYSE: RAMP), a leader in data connectivity and identity infrastructure. His involvement with LiveRamp further highlights his expertise in navigating the complexities of data-driven ecosystems and ensuring seamless integration across platforms.
Tawakol’s academic background reflects his commitment to innovation and technical excellence. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and two master’s degrees from Stanford University—one in Engineering and another in Computer Science. This strong foundation in both engineering and computer science has enabled him to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical business applications throughout his career.
A Strategic Move for The Trade Desk
The appointment of Omar Tawakol comes at a pivotal time for The Trade Desk as the company continues to expand its global footprint and harness the power of AI to drive the future of advertising. Programmatic advertising, powered by advanced algorithms and machine learning, is rapidly evolving, and Tawakol’s expertise will be instrumental in guiding the company through this transformation.
His experience in building scalable platforms like BlueKai and Voicea, combined with his current work at Rembrand, positions him as a key thought leader in integrating AI into advertising workflows. As consumer expectations shift toward more personalized and engaging experiences, The Trade Desk aims to leverage AI to deliver smarter, more efficient campaigns that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Moreover, Tawakol’s deep understanding of data infrastructure and activation strategies will complement The Trade Desk’s existing strengths in programmatic advertising. By tapping into his insights, the company can further refine its offerings and maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
About The Trade Desk
The Trade Desk™ is a technology company that empowers buyers of advertising. Through its self-service, cloud-based platform, ad buyers can create, manage, and optimize digital advertising campaigns across ad formats and devices. Integrations with major data, inventory, and publisher partners ensure maximum reach and decisioning capabilities, and enterprise APIs enable custom development on top of the platform. Headquartered in Ventura, CA, The Trade Desk has offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit thetradedesk.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
