# David MacLaren

> David MacLaren is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur and the founder and former CEO of MediaValet. After founding hospitality photography company VRX Studios in 2000, he helped develop cloud software to manage its image archive, sold the photography operation in 2014 and focused on MediaValet. His career also includes commercial banking, earlier ventures and a public interest in customer needs, usable software and hiring for personality and role fit.

- **Role:** Founder and former CEO at MediaValet
- **Organizations:** MediaValet, VRX Studios, Realworld Images, DNA Media, Scotiabank, Entrepreneurs’ Organization Vancouver
- **Education:** Economics degree, University of British Columbia, Studied International Business; degree not specified, University of Copenhagen
- **Known for:** Built VRX Studios into an international hospitality photography business., Helped create MediaValet with CTO Jean Lozano, using Microsoft Azure to address digital archive management., Led MediaValet from startup to nearly $15 million in annual recurring revenue and nearly 500 customers, as reported at the February 2023 leadership transition.

## Career timeline

- **Age 12** — Started sports accessory business Fluorescence; a floating glasses strap was an early venture.
- **Early career** — Worked in commercial banking at Scotiabank.
- **1998** — Led DNA Media, according to his historical executive biography.
- **1999** — Founded Realworld Images, an image business backed by venture financing.
- **2000** — Founded VRX Studios, serving the travel and hospitality photography market.
- **2010** — Founded MediaValet; its digital asset management software grew from VRX Studios’ internal needs.
- **2014** — Sold VRX Studios and concentrated on MediaValet.
- **2023-02** — Rob Chase succeeded him as MediaValet President and CEO, effective February 28.
- **2024-04** — The company he founded was acquired by an STG affiliate on April 2, after his CEO tenure.

## Achievements

- Built VRX Studios into an international hospitality photography business.
- Helped create MediaValet with CTO Jean Lozano, using Microsoft Azure to address digital archive management.
- Led MediaValet from startup to nearly $15 million in annual recurring revenue and nearly 500 customers, as reported at the February 2023 leadership transition.
- His LinkedIn profile lists Canadian Cloud Leader recognition in 2016 and a Microsoft Modern Marketing Innovation IMPACT Award in 2016.

## Latest updates

- **2024-04** — MediaValet, the company he founded, was acquired by an STG affiliate; this is company context after his CEO tenure.
- **2023-02** — His tenure as MediaValet President and CEO ended when Rob Chase was appointed on February 28.
- **2023-01** — Appeared on Hire Learning with Oz Rashid to discuss entrepreneurial problem solving, role fit and reference checking.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/davidmaclaren
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/contentguy

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-maclaren
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20