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The Seat
Michael Rosen, CRO - Origin Media
In this episode of The Seat, host Ray Erickson sits down with Michael Rosen, Chief Revenue Officer at Origin Media, for an honest conversation about leadership, mentorship, and what it really takes to build and scale high-performing teams.
Michael shares his journey across media, marketing, and sales leadership roles, from early career lessons to executive leadership, highlighting the mentors who shaped his path, the importance of empathy, and the balance between accountability and care. He unpacks how trust, vulnerability, and perspective-driven leadership create stronger organizations and better outcomes.
Whether you’re an aspiring sales leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation offers practical insights on leading through change, empowering teams, and growing as a leader while staying grounded.
Key Themes & Topics Discussed
- The role of mentorship in long-term career growth
- Leading with empathy without sacrificing accountability
- Building trust and psychological safety within teams
- Navigating organizational change and uncertainty
- Developing leaders by encouraging initiative and perspective
- Why vulnerability and honesty strengthen leadership credibility
- Lessons learned from scaling teams across media and tech
Key Takeaways
- Mentorship plays a critical role at every stage of a career
- Empathy is a leadership strength, not a weakness
- Trust and open communication drive better team performance
- Continuous learning is essential for long-term growth
- Great leaders empower others rather than control outcomes
Notable Quotes
- “I think mentorship comes in three flavors.”
- “I want you to come with a perspective.”
- “Leadership is about caring deeply and being honest.”
Episode Chapters
00:00 - Early education and career aspirations
03:27 - Mentorship and early career lessons
06:35 - Transitioning into leadership roles
12:31 - Navigating change management
17:22 - Rebranding and revenue challenges
19:47 - Building and leading strong teams
25:40 - The evolving role of mentorship
32:06 - Empathy, vulnerability, and leadership
39:29 - Michael’s current role at Origin Media
40:02 - Closing thoughts
About the Guest:
Michael Rosen is the Chief Revenue Officer at Origin Media, a connected TV creative ad platform. He brings over 25 years of experience building and scaling media businesses across companies including Intersection, Foursquare, First Look Media, AT&T, WeatherBug, and Bloomberg. Michael also serves on the boards of The New York Pops and Sandy Hook Promise and is co-chair of the UJA-Federation of New York Marketing Council.
Keywords / Tags
leadership, mentorship, sales leadership, media executives, career development, empathy, team building, change management, professional growth, ad tech, marketing leadership, CRO
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