From Ringtones to Smart Fridges: Ken Harlan on the Evolution of MobileFuse

Marketing, Media & Adtech

This episode of The ADOTAT Show dives deep into the mind of Ken Harlan, the CEO of MobileFuse, who’s been at the helm of mobile advertising since the days when ringtones were all the rage. Ken takes us on a journey from the early days of mobile advertising—when half a percent of the internet was mobile—to today’s digital landscape where mobile is the undisputed king of screens. If you’ve ever wondered how someone stays ahead in an industry that moves faster than a TikTok trend, Ken’s got the answers.

Ken shares how MobileFuse expanded from mobile ads to Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) and Connected TV (CTV), exploring some of the wildest places you might encounter a MobileFuse ad today. Whether it’s a gym, elevator, or even a smart fridge, Ken breaks down how digital place-based activations are redefining the way brands connect with consumers. And in a world where data privacy is the talk of the town, Ken reveals how MobileFuse has managed to balance precision targeting with consumer privacy—without getting burned.

We also touch on the human side of business, with Ken discussing how he’s kept his team motivated and committed for over a decade. Forget about the usual perks like snacks and retreats; Ken’s secret sauce lies in focusing on the core—clients, publishers, and technology. His philosophy of not raising external funding has allowed MobileFuse to grow steadily, ensuring that every effort is aligned with delivering real value to clients, not just hitting arbitrary growth targets.

Finally, Ken gives us a glimpse into the future of ad tech, forecasting how MobileFuse will continue to innovate in a world where every screen could potentially be an ad space. He also shares some personal insights, including what superpower he’d choose if given the chance (spoiler: it’s not for personal gain) and what advice he’d send back to his younger self via time-traveling text message. This is an episode packed with wit, wisdom, and a few surprises you won’t want to miss.