#199. Melody Yazdanyar on Gaming, Data & Building What's Next

In this heartfelt and dynamic episode of *In Studio with Kimberly Lovi*, host Kimberly reconnects with her longtime friend and fellow trailblazer, Melody Yazdanyar, diving into their shared history, career evolution, and Melody’s current venture with Find, a new gaming platform built for smart TVs. The conversation begins with nostalgic memories of playing soccer together as kids, bonding over shared roots in Westlake and USC, and a touching story of Melody welcoming Kimberly during her first New York internship at Chanel—offering not just shelter but mentorship that would shape Kimberly’s future. Melody recounts her pioneering career in digital advertising, from her early days at AppNexus to her leadership roles at Comcast and Truoptic, where she helped power data-driven ad tech for connected TV. She now leads Find, a gaming platform that brings casual, nostalgic, and socially engaging games to existing smart TVs without requiring new hardware or subscriptions—targeting both older audiences and younger gamers. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, from Melody’s historic role as the first female kicker in her high school’s football program to her unexpected connections with celebrities like Marshawn Lynch and the Bella Twins. The emotional core lies in their deep friendship, mutual admiration, and shared vision of building fun, meaningful work that blends data, media, and human connection. As they look ahead, the duo teases upcoming collaborations, a family restaurant launch, and the beta rollout of Find.