About
Connected TV advertising executive, two-time founder and runner.
Biography
Kirk Van Sickle is a connected TV advertising executive based in Oceanside, California, specializing in automotive. He is Director of Automotive Partnerships at Premion, TEGNA's connected TV advertising platform, where he leads advertising partnerships with agencies, automakers and dealer groups across the United States.
He has worked in digital advertising since 2002. He started at SmartPages.com, the online directory that became YP.com, and went on to lead print and digital advertising sales for AT&T across multi-state markets. He then led sales and account strategy in Southern California for Thryv, which makes CRM software for small businesses. From 2019 to 2025 he ran automotive media and performance marketing for Search Optics across the western United States.
He is also an entrepreneur. He co-founded Temecula Valley Valet, a valet parking company in Temecula, California, grew it to 40 employees, and sold it. He founded SMB Tactics, a digital marketing agency for small and midsize businesses.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University, with a major in marketing and advertising and a minor in finance.
Quick answers
Who is Kirk Van Sickle?
Kirk Van Sickle is a connected TV advertising executive and entrepreneur based in Oceanside, California. He is Director of Automotive Partnerships at Premion. He founded SMB Tactics and co-founded Temecula Valley Valet, which he grew to 40 employees and sold.
Where does Kirk Van Sickle work?
Kirk Van Sickle works at Premion, the connected TV advertising platform owned by TEGNA, where he is Director of Automotive Partnerships. He joined in 2026.
What does Kirk Van Sickle specialize in?
Kirk Van Sickle specializes in connected TV advertising for the automotive industry, working with agencies, automakers and dealer groups. His background also covers performance marketing, digital media and leading sales teams.
What companies has Kirk Van Sickle founded?
Kirk Van Sickle co-founded Temecula Valley Valet, a valet parking company in Temecula, California, grew it to 40 employees, and sold it. He also founded SMB Tactics, a digital marketing agency for small and midsize businesses.
What is Kirk Van Sickle's professional background?
Before Premion, Kirk Van Sickle was Vice President, Automotive Media and Performance Marketing at Search Optics from 2019 to 2025, and Director of Sales and Account Strategy at Thryv from 2016 to 2019. Before that he was General Manager, Print and Digital Advertising at AT&T. His career in digital advertising began in 2002 at SmartPages.com, which became YP.com.
Where did Kirk Van Sickle go to school?
Kirk Van Sickle earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, with a major in marketing and advertising and a minor in finance.
Running
Away from work, Kirk Van Sickle is a runner. He logs his training on Strava.