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In this episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you inside MediaValet, a Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform that began as an agency’s answer to its own content problem and became the first DAM built on Microsoft Azure.
Joining Chris are Rob Chase (President & CEO) and Jean Lozano (CTO). Together, they share how MediaValet found its focus on the everyday creator, why adoption is the metric they watch most closely, and what it takes to make AI genuinely useful in a DAM rather than just impressive in a demo. Through all the noise around AI, the conversation keeps returning to one clear point: strong foundations still decide what works.
Together, they explore:
Guest Info:
Rob Chase – President & CEO, MediaValet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-chase-b0845645/
Jean Lozano – CTO, MediaValet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lozanojean/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Related reading from AVP:
Engage:
🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clacinak
The DAM AI gap is the distance between what AI promises for Digital Asset Management (DAM) and what most DAM programs are actually ready to support. Faster search, automated metadata, and autonomous agents all depend on solid metadata, clear governance, and consistent processes. When those foundations are missing, AI exposes the weakness instead of fixing it.
In this episode, AVP founder and CEO Chris Lacinak explains why the gap exists, why AI reveals weak DAM foundations rather than causing them, and what it takes to close the gap and get real value from AI.
Why is the DAM AI gap growing?AI roadmaps promise intelligence, automation, agents, and major productivity gains. Inside organizations, DAM leaders often describe a different picture: rising expectations, smaller teams, fragmented metadata, unclear governance, and inconsistent operational foundations. Chris explores the widening distance between AI’s promise and an organization’s structural readiness to put it to work.
The good news is that the gap follows familiar patterns. Once you can see where it comes from, the path to closing it becomes much clearer.
What does Chris Lacinak cover in this episode?Closing the DAM AI gap starts with the foundation, not the feature. Organizations that get lasting value from AI have defined ownership, consistent metadata, clear governance, and processes people actually follow. That gives AI something reliable to build on, so assets stay rights cleared, easy to find, and ready to use as volume and automation grow.
A practical first step is to see where your program stands today. The Is your DAM ready for AI? guide walks through each operational foundation with questions to ask and warning signs to watch for, and the DAM operational model self-assessment helps you score your current maturity.
Frequently asked questionsWhat is the DAM AI gap?
The DAM AI gap is the distance between what AI promises for Digital Asset Management and what a DAM program’s metadata, governance, and processes can actually support.
Does AI fix a weak DAM?
No. AI amplifies what is already there. Strong foundations get stronger with AI, and weak foundations break down faster and more visibly.
What is the difference between AI enablement and AI operationalization?
AI enablement means turning on an AI feature. AI operationalization means having the people, governance, metadata, and processes in place to rely on that feature in day-to-day work.
How do I know if my DAM is ready for AI?
Start by assessing the operational foundations AI depends on. AVP’s AI readiness guide and operational model self-assessment are designed for exactly this.
How much does AI in a DAM cost?
It depends on how your vendor meters AI usage, such as credits, tokens, API calls, or per-asset pricing, and on the types of assets you process. How much does AI in your DAM actually cost? breaks down how to model it.
Resources mentioned in this episode🔗 Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clacinak
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📰 Join our newsletter for DAM Good Advice: https://lp.weareavp.com/dam-good-advice-signup
In this episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you inside Aprimo, a long-established DAM platform with deep roots in enterprise marketing.
Joining Chris are Erik Huddleston (CEO), Kevin Souers (Chief Product & Technology Officer), and Nick Tomassetti (Vice President of Sales). Together, they unpack how Aprimo has evolved over time, how organizations are navigating DAM at scale today, and what and what it means to move from experimenting to operationalizing agentic AI within DAM.
Together, they explore:
Guest Info:
Erik Huddleston – CEO, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehuddleston/
Kevin Souers – Chief Product & Technology Officer, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-souers/
Nick Tomassetti – Senior Vice President of Sales, Aprimo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-tomassetti-1898028/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Engage:
🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clacinak
The AVP team takes lessons learned from 2025 and digs into what it really takes to get DAM right as organizations head into 2026.
Host Chris Lacinak is joined by Kara Van Malssen, John Horodyski, Amy Rudersdorf, and Shawn Averkamp for a candid, pragmatic conversation about the priorities, pitfalls, and decisions that will shape DAM programs in the year ahead.
This episode focuses on the lessons that emerged from real-world work across DAM selection, implementation, migrations, AI experimentation, governance, integrations, change management, and more, and how those lessons should inform what organizations do next.
The team explores the growing gap between platform capabilities and organizational readiness, the rise of DAM-adjacent tools, why integrations and automation continue to challenge teams, and how AI is forcing a renewed focus on fundamentals like metadata, permissions, and stewardship. They also tackle big questions that will carry well beyond 2026: Is DAM evolving or being redefined? Are organizations moving too fast or not fast enough? And what conversations still need more attention inside the DAM community?
If you manage, select, govern, or depend on a DAM platform, this episode is designed to help you move forward with clearer priorities, better questions, and a more realistic view of what success actually requires. 👉 Subscribe for more DAM Right conversations that focus on practical insight, not hype, as the DAM landscape continues to evolve.
Guest Info:
Kara Van Malssen – Partner and Managing Director, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/
John Horodyski – Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/
Amy Rudersdorf – Director of Consulting Operations, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyrudersdorf/
Shawn Averkamp – Director of R&D Services, AVP https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnaverkamp/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
DAM Good Advice Newsletter (Subscribe to get updated when the 2026 DAM Trends Survey Report is published) https://www.weareavp.com/damgoodadvice
Interline DPC 2026 Report https://bit.ly/interlinedpc2026
C2PA https://c2pa.org/
EU Artificial Intelligence Act https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/
Engage:
📰 Subscribe to DAM Good Advice at https://www.weareavp.com/damgoodadvice
🆓 Access free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/
🔗 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
The AVP team is back with another field report straight from Paris.
Host Chris Lacinak is joined once again by our globetrotting DAM correspondent, John Horodyski, who just returned from the OnDAM 2025 Conference in France. And he’s giving us the full download.
From gorgeous venues and natural light, to discussions on AI legislation, provenance, trust, authenticity, 3D workflows, DAM governance, and yes… even hip hop dancers. This episode dives deep into what made OnDAM one of the most energized DAM gatherings this year.
If you’re curious how the European DAM community is thinking, what’s trending, and what’s coming next in 2026, this conversation will bring you right into the room.
👉 Subscribe for more DAM Right conversations that explore the people, culture, and ideas driving the future of Digital Asset Management.
Guest Info:
John Horodyski - Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
OnDAM Conference - https://www.ondamparis.com/
Activo - https://www.activo-consulting.com/
C2PA - https://c2pa.org
EU Artificial Intelligence Act - https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/
Transparency and Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act - https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/29/governor-newsom-signs-sb-53-advancing-californias-world-leading-artificial-intelligence-industry/
California AI Transparency Act
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB942
AVP Free DAM Selection Masterclass - https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice
Engage:
📅 Find us at upcoming events online and in-person at https://www.weareavp.com/avp-events/
🆓 Get amazing free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
The AVP team just got back from Henry Stewart DAM NY 2025, and we’re unpacking it all — live, unfiltered, and together.
Host Chris Lacinak is joined by Kara Van Malssen, John Horodyski, Pamela Vizner, Jason Ulsh, and Brian Courtney for a roundtable recap of the biggest themes, surprises, and hot takes from this year’s conference.
From AI hype vs. reality, to governance gaps, to why “DAM is a human endeavor,” the team breaks down what stood out most — and what’s coming next for the DAM community.
If you missed the event (or just want to hear what your peers really thought), this candid, high-energy conversation will bring you up to speed.
🎧 Listen for insights, laughs, and a few spicy predictions about the future of the DAMosphere.
Guest Info:
Kara Van Malssen – Partner and Managing Director, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvanmalssen/
John Horodyski - Managing Director, Strategic Client Growth, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhorodyski/
Pamela Vizner - Associate Director, AVP – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-v%C3%ADzner-oyarce-a1085518/
Jason Ulsh - DAM Solutions Architect, AVP - https://www.weareavp.com/team/jason-ulsh/
Brian Courtney - Senior Consultant, AVP - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bg-courtney-bb9374/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Engage:
📅 Find us at upcoming events online and in-person at https://www.weareavp.com/avp-events/
🆓 Get amazing free DAM resources at https://www.weareavp.com/free-resources/
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
In this episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you behind the scenes with Orange Logic, a long-standing player in the DAM space that has experienced remarkable growth over the past several years.
Joining Chris are Misti Vogt (Chief of Staff & Head of Customer Success), Jim Cavedo (Vice President of Solutions), and Brad Pearson (Senior Vice President of Product). Together, they explore Orange Logic’s origins, evolution, and perspectives on what makes a DAM platform adaptable, scalable, and future-ready.
Together, they explore:
Guest Info:
Misti Vogt – Chief of Staff & Head of Customer Success, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistivogt/
Jim Cavedo – Vice President of Solutions, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcavedo/
Brad Pearson – Senior Vice President of Product, Orange Logic – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradtpearson/
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Engage:
🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
In this inaugural episode of the DAM Right Deep Dive Series, host Chris Lacinak takes you behind the scenes with Frontify. Joining Chris are Roger Dudler, Founder and CEO of Frontify, and Thomas Meichtry, Director of U.S. Sales, who share their unique perspectives on the company’s origins, culture, customer successes, and vision for the future of DAM.
Together, they explore:
Guest Info:
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Engage:
📣 Register for Selecting Your Next DAM: A Step-by-Step Webinar on October 7th. https://bit.ly/selectingyournextdam
🆓 Check out the ultimate DAM selection guide at https://bit.ly/yourdamchoice
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
Digital Asset Management (DAM) governance is the set of roles, policies, and standards that shape how digital assets are created, described, accessed, and used across an organization. It matters because a DAM is only as trustworthy as the rules behind it. Without governance, even a well-chosen system slowly fills with duplicate files, inconsistent metadata, and assets nobody is sure they’re allowed to use.
In this Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode of the DAM Right Podcast, AVP’s Kara Van Malssen and John Horodyski take listener questions on DAM governance. They cover the core principles, the challenges that tend to slow teams down, and the practices that keep a governance program healthy long after launch. Governance can feel abstract because it touches people, process, and technology all at once. This conversation breaks it into practical pieces you can act on.
What is DAM governance?DAM governance defines who makes decisions about your assets, which rules everyone follows, and how those rules are kept current. In practice, that includes metadata standards, permissions, rights and usage policies, and the roles responsible for maintaining them.
Governance is one of the seven elements of AVP’s Operational Model for DAM Success, alongside purpose, people, technology, process, measurement, and culture. That framing is useful because it shows governance as part of a working system rather than a standalone rulebook. For a closer look at how the elements fit together, see the DAM Operational Model guide.
Why does DAM governance matter?Governance is what turns a collection of files into assets that deliver value. A well-governed DAM keeps assets:
Each of these depends on clear standards. Consistent metadata, for example, is a governance outcome as much as a technical one, which is why the Expert Guide to Establishing a Metadata Strategy for your DAM treats them together.
The stakes are rising as organizations add AI to their DAMs. AI tends to scale whatever is already in place, good or bad, so weak governance becomes visible quickly. The DAM AI Gap Is Real. Here’s How to Close It. and Trust, Authenticity & Governance for the AI Age explore that connection in more depth.
What does this episode cover?Kara and John answer audience questions on:
Start by understanding where your program stands today. The DAM Operational Model Self-Assessment helps you score governance alongside the other elements of a healthy DAM, so you can see where the gaps are before deciding what to fix first.
From there, a few practical steps tend to make the biggest difference:
If you’d like support along the way, AVP’s Strategize service helps teams plan governance from the start, and Elevate helps strengthen it in an existing DAM. For a real-world example, see how AVP worked with the Smithsonian to operationalize digital preservation practices across the institution.
Frequently asked questions about DAM governanceWhat is DAM governance?
DAM governance is the set of roles, policies, and standards that determine how digital assets are created, described, accessed, and used. It keeps assets rights cleared, easy to find, and ready to use.
Who is responsible for DAM governance?
Governance usually works best with a single accountable owner, often a digital asset manager or DAM program lead, supported by stakeholders from teams such as marketing, legal, and IT. The owner keeps standards current, while stakeholders help shape and follow them.
How is DAM governance different from data governance?
DAM governance focuses on digital assets and their metadata, rights, and usage. Data governance covers an organization’s broader data. The two share many principles, which is why data governance resources can be helpful for DAM teams as well.
How do you know if your DAM governance is working?
Healthy governance shows up in everyday use. Users find what they need quickly, metadata is applied consistently, and teams can tell at a glance whether an asset is cleared for use. An assessment like the DAM Operational Model Self-Assessment can help you measure this.
Does DAM governance matter for AI?
Yes. AI relies on the structure and metadata already in your DAM, so strong governance is a prerequisite for useful, trustworthy AI results. The Is Your DAM Ready for AI? guide explains how to assess your readiness.
Meet the guestsKara Van Malssen
LinkedIn | Bio
John Horodyski
LinkedIn | Bio
Resources mentioned in this episode📣 Join us at DAM in GLAM on May 7th in NYC at MoMA. Find out more and register at digitalassetsymposium.com.
🆓 Download the DAM Strategy Canvas and other free resources at weareavp.com/free-resources.
🎧 Explore more governance conversations, like The Critical Role of Content Authenticity in Digital Asset Management.
👍 Like, subscribe, and follow on your platform of choice.
🔗 Follow Chris Lacinak on LinkedIn.
In this episode host Chris Lacinak joins Misti Vogt and Brian McLaughlin from Orange Logic to offer a 2025 DAM Forecast. They explore key trends shaping the future of Digital Asset Management (DAM), including connected DAM, adaptive DAM, and autonomous DAM with some veers into sustainability, content authenticity, user adoption and more. The episode provides insights into how organizations can future-proof their DAM strategies for greater efficiency and competitive advantage.
Guest Info:
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Engage:
📣 Join us at DAM in GLAM on May 7th in NYC at MOMA. Find out more and register at https://digitalassetsymposium.com
🆓 Download the DAM Strategy Canvas & other free resources at https://weareavp.com/free-resources
💡 Download great DAM resources from Orange Logic at https://www.orangelogic.com/digital-asset-management-guides
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn athttps://linkedin.com/in/clacinak
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