Featuring: Rich LeFurgy
General Partner, Archer Advisors
Founding Chairman, Interactive Advertising Bureau
October 10, 2025
Marketing Today in a Sea of Change traces the evolution of marketing from the era of three television networks to today’s AI-driven digital ecosystem. It explores how programmatic, social creators, search, and digital trade marketing have reshaped the landscape—and how artificial intelligence is redefining both consumer discovery and agency creativity. The piece offers business owners a forward-looking guide to what they need to know about AI and digital marketing over the next five years.
Rich LeFurgy is a pioneer at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Silicon Valley. As Founding Chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, he helped establish the standards and momentum that turned online advertising into a global industry. Over his career, he’s been an ad agency executive, digital ad sales innovator at Starwave/ESPN.com, venture capitalist at WaldenVC, consultant with Archer Advisors, and an educator through the 4A’s Institute. Named the “Johnny Appleseed of online advertising” by USA Today, Rich has guided more than 70 digital media and technology companies as a board member, advisor, and early investor.
Rich has been honored with the IAB Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Advertising Age Interactive Hall of Fame, the Hal Riney Icon of Marketing Award (sfBIG), and the Adtech Industry Achievement Award.
Today, through Archer Advisors, he continues to advise companies at the forefront of marketing, media, and technology, helping them navigate disruption and unlock growth.Outside of work, Rich brings the same energy and passion to life as he does to business. An avid CrossFitter and passionate cook, he lives in Mill Valley, California with his wife and