#41- Unmasking Ad Fraud: How to Stop Wasting Your Marketing Budget

Rich Kahn, Co-Founder and CEO of Anura, joins the podcast to share his journey from a high school tech enthusiast to a leading expert in digital ad fraud detection. With decades of experience in digital marketing, Rich has built and sold multiple companies, including an Inc. 5000 business, and was honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Technology. Now, with Anura, he is on a mission to expose and eliminate fraud in digital advertising, helping businesses protect their ad spend and improve campaign performance.

In this episode, you'll discover:

From Early Internet Pioneer to Ad Fraud Expert
How Rich's fascination with ARPANET and early online networks led him to launch innovative digital ventures, eventually culminating in Anura.

The Hidden Cost of Ad Fraud
How fraudsters—including organized crime syndicates—exploit programmatic advertising, costing businesses billions annually.

How Anura Detects and Prevents Fraud
The difference between general invalid traffic (GIVT) and sophisticated invalid traffic (SIVT), and why most fraud detection solutions fall short.

The Real Impact on Brands and Agencies
Why 25–50 percent of programmatic ad traffic is fraudulent and how companies unknowingly waste millions on non-human impressions.

How to Protect Your Business from Ad Fraud
Rich shares practical strategies for brands and agencies to detect fraud, optimize their ad spend, and demand accountability from ad platforms.

Building a Resilient Business in Digital Marketing
Lessons from Rich’s entrepreneurial journey, from bootstrapping businesses to navigating industry shifts and staying ahead of fraudsters.

Rich’s Top Tips for Businesses and Marketers

• Don’t hire friends—business and personal relationships don’t always mix.
• Always validate your marketing data—bad data leads to bad decisions.
• Set up a retained earnings account to fund growth opportunities without external capital.

Connect with Rich and Learn More

Website: Anura
LinkedIn: Rich Kahn

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