Nativo Names Michael Lehman as President
Nativo has appointed Michael Lehman as its new President, a move aimed squarely at accelerating the company’s next phase of growth. He comes with a long track record in advertising technology and a reputation for turning complex opportunities into practical, scalable results. The expectation is simple and clear: bring sharper focus to the company’s expansion efforts and help Nativo do more of what it already does well—only faster, and at greater scale.
Lehman’s background isn’t theoretical. He’s spent years inside programmatic advertising, forging partnerships, and working across international markets. That mix—programmatic expertise, dealmaking, and global perspective—lines up with where Nativo is placing its bets. His mandate includes advancing revenue strategies built around programmatic direct deals and ensuring those efforts connect cleanly to Nativo’s go-to-market approach.
Where Growth Will Come From
Growth, in Nativo’s view, comes from being focused. Lehman brings hands-on experience with programmatic advertising, deep familiarity with unique partnerships, and a clear sense of how international dynamics shape outcomes. Those aren’t abstract skills; they’re the levers Nativo intends to pull. Programmatic direct revenue streams, in particular, will be a central thread—designed to align inventory, data, and demand in a way that’s easy to buy and easy to measure.
As the company navigates these priorities, Lehman’s remit is to connect strategy with execution. That means sharpening the path from opportunity to outcome—turning promising channels into consistent, repeatable growth. It’s work that requires both precision and patience, and it’s where his past experience will matter most.
Experience Built on Scaling What Works
Lehman spent more than eight years at TripleLift, where he helped the company evolve into a leading digital marketing platform. During his tenure, TripleLift grew from an organization that had secured $16.5 million in external capital to one acquired by Vista Equity Partners for $1.4 billion. That arc—from early-stage momentum to a landmark acquisition—offered a front-row view into what it takes to scale a business responsibly and quickly.
The lesson he carries forward is straightforward: sustainable scaling depends on disciplined execution, strong partnerships, and a clear value proposition. It’s that combination he brings to Nativo—an operator’s eye for what moves the needle and a builder’s mindset for what endures.
Why Nativo Stands Out
Nativo holds a distinctive spot in ad tech, powered by patented technology that automates content distribution while respecting the user experience. The company’s approach emphasizes non-disruptive advertising that meets people where they are, not where an ad wants them to be. That matters in today’s environment, where attention is scarce and tolerance for interruption is even scarcer.
By centering the user experience, Nativo aligns the needs of brands, publishers, and audiences. The result is advertising that aims to be useful and welcome—content that engages without getting in the way.
Looking Ahead in Ad Tech
Lehman has voiced enthusiasm for the marketplace opportunities in front of Nativo and the strength of its culture and team. His focus includes deepening the company’s programmatic footprint while pushing forward in commerce media and other relevant areas across the digital landscape. The goal is consistent: expand responsibly, innovate where it counts, and keep the user at the center.
That combination—growth in programmatic, innovation in commerce media, and a values-led culture—sets the tone for where Nativo is headed. It’s a vision grounded in practice, not just ambition.
About Nativo
Nativo helps brands use content to engage and influence the audiences they care about. The company applies machine learning and artificial intelligence to make content distribution seamless and integrated across digital platforms. The ambition is practical: make content work as easily, as scalably, and as measurably as traditional advertising—especially through the mid-funnel, where interest turns into intent.
Founded in 2010 by Justin Choi, Nativo is an Asian American-owned company with over a dozen patents and collaborations with more than 10,000 premium publishers worldwide. Nativo is certified by the NMSDC as a Minority Business Enterprise, underscoring its identity and commitment to representation in the technology sector. Those foundations—innovation, scale, and ownership—frame the company’s work and its future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Michael Lehman’s remit as President?
He’ll guide strategic growth, with emphasis on programmatic advertising, key partnerships, and international expansion. A core focus is advancing revenue through programmatic direct deals in line with Nativo’s broader strategy.
Why does Nativo emphasize non-disruptive advertising?
Nativo’s patented technology automates content distribution in ways that respect the user experience. The aim is to engage people effectively without interrupting how they browse, read, or watch.
What results did Lehman help achieve at TripleLift?
During more than eight years at TripleLift, he contributed to the company’s growth from early external funding of $16.5 million to its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners for $1.4 billion.
How does Nativo approach content distribution for brands?
Nativo uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to make distribution seamless and integrated across platforms, aiming to deliver the scale and measurement of traditional advertising—particularly at the mid-funnel.
What distinguishes Nativo as a company?
Nativo was founded in 2010 by Justin Choi, is Asian American-owned, holds over a dozen patents, works with more than 10,000 premium publishers, and is certified by the NMSDC as a Minority Business Enterprise.
