Ever felt trapped by your own success, secretly craving a reboot but fearing what’s next?

This isn’t just another ex-exec startup story. Eric Frankel, former Warner Bros. President turned founder of AdGreetz, sits down with J. Michael Fisher Jr. for a raw, revealing conversation on what it truly takes to leap from a billion-dollar seat into entrepreneurship, without a safety net. They dig into the hidden emotional costs, the rush of early wins, and the guts required to walk away from the familiar and reimagine what’s possible (even after 30 years at the top).

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to reinvent your life, build a next-level team, and find meaning beyond the deal, press play now. The pain of staying stuck is real, and the window to thrive is closing. This episode offers unfiltered, exclusive takeaways for leaders who don’t just want to win, they want to matter.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01:27] – How a single call from the chairman turned a lifelong New Yorker into a Los Angeles media boss

[00:04:04] – The boyhood obsession with film that shaped a future executive—and the “aha” moment of radical delegation

[00:09:26] – When the right story lands, doors fling open: The secret portfolio that made competitive hiring a breeze

[00:12:53] – Navigating money, family, and meaning: Why he walked away from millions (twice) to start over

[00:19:54] – The simple trigger behind AdGreetz: Realizing brands never talk “to” you, just “at” you

[00:29:32] – Are you a “cat in the data mine”? How AdGreetz wins at personalization without crossing the line

[00:36:34] – Why B2B targeting is harder and what most sales teams still get wrong in 2024

[00:44:00] – Frankel’s daily success routine: trainers, sleep, boundaries… and admitting when to take the L

Mentioned Resources

1. BizGreetz
2. Warner Bros.
3. Syracuse University Concert Committee
4. Fred Silverman (TV programming legend)
5. Nike
6. Kiehl’s
7. Barney’s New York
8. Columbia House
9. Stone Pony (music venue)
10. Cole Haan
11. Salesforce and Adobe (as B2B marketing examples)
12. Landmark Theatre (Syracuse)

About the Guest

Eric Frankel is the Founder and CEO of AdGreetz, a cutting-edge personalization platform transforming how brands communicate with customers. Previously, he spent 30 years climbing the ranks at Warner Bros., where he ultimately served as President of Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution. A sought-after innovator in media and tech, Frankel blends deep entertainment industry insight with a bold, data-driven approach to modern marketing.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Important Links

1. Follow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544
2. Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank

Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.