Les Hollander Departs DAX, Says He Remains ‘Optimistic’ About Digital Audio Future.

Les Hollander, who quietly stepped down as CEO of Global’s DAX North American business in April, is now stepping away from the company. Hollander has been an advisor to the digital advertising platform in recent months, but he says he’s moving on after six years with DAX.

“I have had the privilege of working with an exceptional team, visionary partners, and world-class clients. Together, we have navigated many opportunities and challenges while building a world-class company,” Hollander writes in a LinkedIn post. “As I close out this chapter, I remain immensely optimistic about the future of digital audio, technology, and innovation. I look forward to exploring what’s next, keeping in touch, and reconnecting.”

Hollander joined DAX in 2020 as Chief Growth Officer for the North American region and became CEO in 2021. The former radio sales executive made an early jump to the burgeoning digital audio business. Hollander spent six years at Spotify, including as Global Head of Audio & Video Monetization from 2015 to 2019. Prior to Spotify, he spent three years at Pandora as VP of Sales from 2009 to 2012. Earlier, Hollander was a New York-based sales executive for both CBS Radio and Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia).

In August, Hollander also stepped away from his role as an advisor to the in-game audio advertising platform Odeeo after three years.

Global created DAX in the UK in 2014, and four years later DAX launched in the U.S. Today its website says it reaches more than 108 million listeners across streaming radio, music and podcast channels in North America. Among the publishers it works with are TuneIn, LiveOne, and AccuRadio.

Since Hollander’s exit this spring, President Brian Conlan has overseen the North American operations. He also has a radio past, spending three years in digital ad sales at Westwood One before joining DAX in 2014.