Rob Leathern founded XA.net in 2008. Recognized as an expert in the field of online advertising and e-commerce, he has built scalable technology–based media businesses and has advised Fortune 500 companies and startups alike on their online revenue-generating strategies. He was previously COO at Consorte Media, an online advertising company focused on the Hispanic market. Before that, he was vice president of business development for Root Markets and general manager of advertising at LinkedIn. Before LinkedIn, Leathern built NexTag's display advertising lead generation and media business, propelling the firm to a position as a top five US online advertiser according to Nielsen//NetRatings.