The Seat

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 DiscussedThe role of mentorship in long-term career growthLeading with empathy without sacrificing accountabilityBuilding trust and psychological safety within teamsNavigating organizational change and uncertaintyDeveloping leaders by encouraging initiative and perspectiveWhy vulnerability and honesty strengthen leadership credibilityLessons learned from scaling teams across media and techKey TakeawaysMentorship plays a critical role at every stage of a careerEmpathy is a leadership strength, not a weaknessTrust and open communication drive better team performanceContinuous learning is essential for long-term growthGreat leaders empower others rather than control outcomesNotable 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 Chapters00:00 - Early education and career aspirations03:27 - Mentorship and early career lessons06:35 - Transitioning into leadership roles12:31 - Navigating change management17:22 - Rebranding and revenue challenges19:47 - Building and leading strong teams25:40 - The evolving role of mentorship32:06 - Empathy, vulnerability, and leadership39:29 - Michael’s current role at Origin Media40:02 - Closing thoughtsAbout 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, CROFollow & Connect🎙️ Host: Ray Erickson📸 Instagram: @theseat.pod🔗 LinkedIn: The Seat Podcast🎵 TikTok: @theseat.pod🌐 Listen & stream: https://shows.acast.com/the-seat

Zach Chapman has spent 20+ years leading high-performing revenue teams across digital, TV, and international markets, from Wired and Sports Illustrated to ESPN, Disney, NBCUniversal, and now Plex. In this episode, Zach joins Ray to break down the real story behind his ascent, including the early lessons that shaped him, the mentors who opened doors, and the pivotal moments that pushed his career forward.Zach shares how curiosity became his competitive edge, why listening is the most underrated global leadership skill, and how intentional hiring (prioritizing logic and trust) helped him build standout teams across LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and the U.S. He also explains the turning point that led him to leave NBC and why Plex represents his most energizing chapter yet.This is a masterclass in leadership mindset, developing talent, maintaining integrity as a seller, and reinventing yourself at each stage of your journey.

The Seat is where today’s advertising sales leaders share the real stories behind their rise to the top. Host Ray Erickson sits down 1:1 with executives from VPs to CROs and CEOs to unpack their career journeys. He discusses the pivotal moves, hard lessons, mentors, and leadership insights that shaped their paths.Honest, unscripted, and always insightful, The Seat explores what it really takes to earn, and thrive in, that sales leader seat.