Icons, Rockstars, & Innovators – Mark Walker

Mark Walker is Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman of Digital Direct Holdings (DDH). Founded with his partner, Keith Smith, in 2018, DDH is a digital advertising solutions holding company consisting of three subsidiaries, Colossus SSP, Orange 142, and Huddled Masses.

On the forefront of a dynamic and inclusive approach to advertising, DDH provides programmatic, digital advertising solutions to companies of all sizes, with a specialization in reaching highly sought-after multicultural audiences and underserved middle market companies across the U.S. In February 2022, DDH became the ninth-ever black-owned U.S. company to go public.

With nearly 20 years of experience working in private equity, building relationships, digital sales, and revenue generating operations, Mark Walker is an expert in strategic planning, management, and revenue generation for both Fortune 500 corporations and private firms and startups. Prior to co-founding DDH, Mr. Walker enjoyed an impressive career directing business development for NRG Energy and served as Chief Operating Officer at EBONY Media.

Walker serves on multiple advisory boards, including Hitwise and Dentsu Aegis and BRIDGE, and has written articles and case studies appearing in Jupiter Research, Search Engine Watch, and the IAB.