Why Traffic-Reliant Media is "Done For" (And Why Media + Events + Data Wins)

Heather Holst-Knudsen is a distinguished figure and expert in the events, media, marketing and technology sectors. Using her extensive experience, she guides clients in adapting to structural economic and market changes, seizing the chance to innovate and evolve. She specializes in digital and data disruption and opportunity, exploring how these overarching factors can impact revenue growth,customer-centricity, operational efficiency, profit margins, and the overall valuation of companies in both public and private markets. Her journey began at her family business, Thomas Publishing Company, where she honed her skills. She further expanded her expertise by holding positions at early industry giants Miller Freeman, Reed Elsevier, and IDG. Returning to Thomas Publishing, Heather founded and spearheaded Manufacturing Enterprise Communications, an integrated media portfolio connecting buyers and sellers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Starting in 2015 and spanning the next seven years, she leveraged her expertise as a revenue and business leader in various SaaS businesses, including Feathr, Gleanin, Brella and Edflex. Heather is deeply passionate about digital innovation, data monetization, and AI and how these strategies fuel revenue growth, profitability, and company valuation. To serve and create value for clients in these areas, she launched H2K Labs, dedicated to generating and leveraging value through data for media, business information, events, and adjacent technology and service markets.

Jacob Cohen Donnelly is the Founder and CEO of A Media Operator (AMO), a fast-growing media company born from his widely respected twice-weekly newsletter about building sustainable, modern media businesses. Known for his sharp analysis and operator-level insights, Jacob has become a trusted voice for executives, creators, and entrepreneurs navigating the evolving media landscape. Under his leadership, AMO has expanded from a single newsletter into a full-fledged media brand, offering events, intelligence products, and deep industry reporting. Jacob’s work centers on one mission: helping people understand how to build, scale, and operate profitable media companies. Before launching AMO, Jacob held senior leadership roles across the industry, including Publisher at Morning Brew and Managing Director of Digital Revenue at CoinDesk, where he drove both growth and monetization strategies. His career also includes roles such as General Manager, B2B and Director of Marketing, giving him a 360-degree perspective on media operations, revenue, and audience development. With a career spent entirely in media and a reputation for clear, practical thinking, Jacob is recognized as one of today’s leading voices on the future of digital media.