People of Media: Kenny Katzgrau | A Deep Conversation About Fear and Purpose

A Dreamer with Purpose

In the latest episode of People of Media, I had the privilege of sitting down with Kenny Katzgrau, a dreamer with a huge heart and a rare mix of radical creativity, authenticity, generosity, and tenacity. As the creator of Broadstreet Ads and the publisher of Red Bank Green, Kenny lives at the intersection of media, technology, and advertising, and he's doing it with purpose and joy.

Early Beginnings and Media Fascination

Kenny's journey into media began early. "As a kid, I had this old Panasonic boombox, and I'd sit in my room recording fake radio shows," he shared. His early love of storytelling and technology eventually led him to Yahoo's ad exchange team and, later, to creating Broadstreet Ads—a platform built to help publishers "wow their advertisers."

Building with a People-First Mindset

Yet what truly defines Kenny isn't just his accomplishments but his mindset. He’s a true builder, exemplifying this powerful mix of creativity, authenticity, generosity, and tenacity. He genuinely wants to build things that improve people’s lives. That desire fuels everything he builds, from innovative ad solutions to Red Bank Green's hyper-local journalism. For Kenny, it's not just about making a sale; it's about understanding where people want to go and helping them get there. "Everybody has a destination they're trying to reach," he said. "My job is to figure out what that is and help them get there."

This approach shows up in his sales strategy at Red Bank Green. Instead of focusing on rates, Kenny digs deep into the aspirations of his advertisers. He described helping a local landscaper who needed 20 new accounts in order to delegate and grow his business: "Now it's my mission to get him those accounts. It's not just a business—it's his hopes and dreams."

Fearless Experimentation and Bold Ideas

Kenny also brings fearless experimentation to publishing. "Risk is almost non-existent for me at Red Bank Green. I have nothing to lose, so I can try new things," he explained. Whether it's his simple yet effective 'Push Me' button idea for advertisers or his plans to potentially partner with a local business, Kenny approaches challenges with a builder's mindset and an entrepreneur's resolve.

Reflecting on what keeps him grounded, Kenny shared, "If you find yourself in fear, you have to ask: Are you doing what aligns with who you are? If the answer is yes, then there’s nothing to fear."

My Gold Nugget

My personal “gold nugget” happened around this point of the conversation, around minute 27. We got really honest about fear, and where it comes from, and agreed that it comes from lack of clarity. If you know who you are, and you know what you are doing and why, and you believe to your toes that what you’re doing is good, you can transcend fear and access a space of tenacity and hope.

Our conversation left me energized, not just by Kenny's insights, but by the joy and purpose that radiate from his work. Media needs fire starters like Kenny Katzgrau—people willing to innovate, risk, and, most importantly, help others succeed. For Kenny, the story isn't just about business—it's about building something meaningful, together.