Tom Hespos
Chief Media Officer · Healthcare & Pharma · Paid Media Capability Builder
Summary
I am a transformational media leader with over three decades of experience building and scaling high-performance paid media capabilities for global brands and agencies. My career is defined by a unique blend of entrepreneurial grit and enterprise-level strategy; I founded and scaled Underscore Marketing to a $12M+ healthcare-focused powerhouse, overseeing $800M in annual media spend for giants like Pfizer, Novartis, and Gilead Sciences. I specialize in the architecture of media departments—from establishing SOPs and tech stacks to navigating the complex intersection of data privacy and programmatic execution. I offer deep expertise in healthcare and pharma, where I bridge the gap between complex regulatory requirements and cutting-edge performance marketing. Whether I am serving as an Interim GM for a $50M+ revenue division at Unlock Health or consulting on M&A due diligence, my focus remains on driving profitability through data-driven accountability. I don't just manage media; I build the infrastructure that allows media to thrive, ensuring that every dollar spent is backed by rigorous KPIs and a clear path to ROI. If you are looking for a leader who can modernize your media practice, optimize your adtech stack, or lead a large-scale digital transformation, I have the proven track record to deliver results.
Expertise
Experience
Interim General Manager, Media
August 2025 – Present
Unlock Health · New York City Metropolitan Area
Leads consolidated media group at healthcare marketing agency's largest revenue division.
- Overseeing $50MM+ revenue division
- Managing Performance Marketing and Integrated Media teams
Principal
January 2022 – August 2025
Abydos Media · New York, NY
Partnered with agencies and brands to create customized paid media solutions and infrastructure.
- Established standards for strategy, planning, buying, and finance best practices
- Justified media investments to top executives with detailed rollout plans
- Implemented global approaches to media consolidation and localization
Founder, Principal
February 2020 – August 2025
The Pitch MD · New York, NY
Consulted for adtech companies and publishers to optimize USPs and sales positioning.
- Assessed value of data assets and implemented strategies to maximize data value
- Developed market positioning strategies to establish clients as market leaders
- Utilized bespoke research to increase media sales revenue
Founder, Chief Media Officer
April 2002 – February 2020
Underscore Marketing LLC · New York, NY
Founded and scaled a $12MM+ award-winning healthcare-focused agency.
- Directed annual media spend of $800MM
- Managed a team of 65 SMEs across programmatic and traditional media
- Served blue-chip clients including Pfizer, Novartis, and Gilead Sciences
- Acted as strategic advisor on KPIs, privacy, and compliance
Education
- Washington and Lee University · Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication/Media Studies
What I'm looking for
notes: Seeking leadership roles focused on building or enhancing transformational paid media capabilities. work mode: Hybrid/Remote industries: Advertising Agency, Healthcare, Pharma, Consumer Brands role types: Chief Media Officer, Head of Paid Media, SVP Media