In this episode of The Seat, Ray Erickson sits down with Ryan Spicer, Chief Revenue Officer at Atmosphere TV, to unpack how a former teacher and soccer coach broke into media, took smart risks, and built a leadership style grounded in self-awareness and accountability.

Ryan shares how he literally begged for his first media job at VH1, why he made a controversial lateral move from digital back to linear TV at Turner, and how that decision later put him in the perfect position to lead integrated sales teams.

They dive into the shift from individual contributor to manager, what a CRO actually does at a high-growth company, and why every rising seller needs both mentors and advocates in their corner. If you’re a 30-something seller eyeing the CRO seat one day, this one’s a blueprint.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach Chapman has spent 20+ years leading high-performing revenue teams across digital, TV, and international markets, from Wired and Sports Illustrated to ESPN, Disney, NBCUniversal, and now Plex. In this episode, Zach joins Ray to break down the real story behind his ascent, including the early lessons that shaped him, the mentors who opened doors, and the pivotal moments that pushed his career forward.

Zach shares how curiosity became his competitive edge, why listening is the most underrated global leadership skill, and how intentional hiring (prioritizing logic and trust) helped him build standout teams across LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and the U.S. He also explains the turning point that led him to leave NBC and why Plex represents his most energizing chapter yet.

This is a masterclass in leadership mindset, developing talent, maintaining integrity as a seller, and reinventing yourself at each stage of your journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.