The Talent Studios Recruits CEO for 2WAY Media
February 5, 2026 – The Talent Studios has placed Joe Ruffolo as chief executive officer at 2WAY Media, a category-defining interactive digital media platform building the future of live, participatory content. The search was led by The Talent Studios’ Jeremy Cohen and Katlyn Maloney. “Joe is a rare leader who understands how to build modern media businesses while staying deeply connected to storytelling and audience trust,” said Mark Halperin, editor-in-chief at 2WAY. “He has scaled digital news brands and launched new formats, with a deep understanding of our community-driven values and audience participation, making him the ideal CEO as 2WAY accelerates its growth and expansion.”
Mr. Ruffolo joins 2WAY following an extensive career as a media industry leader, most recently at Nexstar Media Group serving as senior vice president and general manager for The Hill and NewsNation Digital. His experience includes some of the most influential brands in news, entertainment, and technology, including Disney ABC Television Group, ABC News, CNN, AOL, OceanX, and Nickelodeon. His background spans strategy, business development, editorial leadership, and product development, including the successful launch of digital platforms, video businesses, and innovative audience experiences.
In his new role as CEO, Mr. Ruffolo will lead 2WAY’s aggressive growth strategy, overseeing the expansion of its proprietary interactive technology and creator ecosystem. He will partner closely with the founders and the a16z team to scale the platform’s revenue models and solidify 2WAY’s position as the premier destination for direct-to-fan engagement.
“I am very excited to join 2WAY at such a pivotal moment in storytelling,” said Mr. Ruffolo. “Technology and user expectations have changed significantly, and there is a real opportunity to include them in the conversation, and connect them directly with the programming, communities, and experiences they desire. 2WAY is building the infrastructure for that future, and I’m excited to help grow and scale this unique ecosystem, and deliver live experiences that truly bring the audience into the story.”
2WAY is an interactive, live video platform devoted to unique conversations, unbiased discourse, and open debate. Its community of contributors engages in two-way conversations with users about today’s events, politics, and significant issues, absent the one-sided partisanship and angry rhetoric that have come to dominate the discourse around current events on social media and cable news.
Proven Search Firm
The Talent Studios is a business-to-consumer focused retained executive search firm, working across consumer technology, digital commerce, four-wall commerce & service businesses, iconic brands, entertainment, media & content and consumer services. Its vertical focus includes: fashion & apparel, food & beverage, beauty & personal care, lifestyle brands, action sports, fitness/wellness, creator economy, media & content, digital and physical consumer services (healthcare, FinTech, education, two-sided marketplaces). The Talent Studios was founded by Mr. Cohen and Kelli Telling.
Related: The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Marketing Officer for Peet’s Coffee
Investor partners and direct brand clients include: Apollo Management, Advent International, Andreessen Horowitz, Bain Capital, L Catterton, Apollo Global Management, Institutional Venture Partners, HIG Growth, Norwest Equity Partners, North Castle Partners, Red Bull, Mattel, Disney, Burton Snowboards, Restoration Hardware, The Princeton Review, Pure Barre, Raising Cane’s, Boardriders, Aston Martin, Fanatics, Soylent, SmartyPants Vitamins, Lulus.com, Restoration Hardware, Restore Hyper Wellness, Peet’s Coffee and Public Goods.
The Talent Studios Places CEO at PE-Backed Foundry Brands
The Talent Studios has recruited Christian Chopra as CEO of Foundry Brands, a growing portfolio of digitally native personal-care and lifestyle brands backed by Monogram Capital Partners and Lightbay Capital. Mr. Chopra brings two decades of experience building and repositioning consumer brands across North America and Europe. Most recently, as president of Scotch Porter, he repositioned the brand from niche challenger to an omni-channel mainstream player, leading it to profitability while expanding national retail distribution and scaling Amazon and DTC.
Mr. Cohen co-founded The Talent Studios in 2011 following early search experience at global executive search firm DHR Global, where he served as a principal in the firm’s retail/consumer and private equity practices. He has led pivotal leadership searches that have propelled privately held clients through growth to exit, as well as large-scale transformation and performance enhancement at large public companies and brands. In addition to search, Mr. Cohen assists clients with performance management and assessment strategy.
Ms. Maloney is a senior associate. She most recently was on the internal executive search team at Amazon, focused on its entertainment, content & media business. Ms. Maloney began her search career at DHR Global, where she worked closely with the president on leadership searches across retail/consumer, sports, & private equity. She supports the firm’s partners across consumer products, beauty, marketplaces, digital health, content/media & edutech.
Related: The Talent Studios Recruits Chief Growth Officer for Hyland’s Consumer Health
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
