# Lavin Punjabi

> Lavin Punjabi is the Mumbai-based co-founder, Managing Director and CEO of Affinity Global, an advertising technology group with ad networks and publisher software businesses. His career spans domain parking, search and performance advertising, mobile storytelling and affiliate operations; he has also led Affinity through its expansion into Europe and its participation in emerging AI advertising standards.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Managing Director and CEO at Affinity Global
- **Organizations:** Affinity Global, mCanvas, SitePlug, VEVE, AdOpsOne, NucleusLinks, Directi (Skenzo)
- **Nationality:** Indian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), Jai Hind College
- **Known for:** Co-founded and leads Affinity Global, whose portfolio includes advertising networks and publisher software businesses., Affinity’s published 2024 milestone records tenfold revenue growth over five years and more than 480 employees; these are company-reported figures., Led Affinity during its 2023 acquisition of Opinary and subsequent European expansion.

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Graduated from Jai Hind College with a BMS degree; began his career at Directi (Skenzo) as a Strategic Partner Manager.
- **2006** — Joined the newly formed Affinity business as its first employee; later identified as a co-founder and CEO.
- **2011** — Named Vice President of Business Development & Strategy in an ASX announcement about a proposed advertising joint venture.
- **2015** — Co-founded mCanvas and SitePlug; mCanvas launched with interactive mobile advertising.
- **2018** — Co-founded VEVE, focused on advertising through device manufacturers and browsers.
- **2019** — Co-founded AdOpsOne, a publisher ad operations business.
- **2023** — Affinity completed its first acquisition, buying Berlin-based Opinary on July 18.
- **2024** — Discussed publisher affiliate operations with Brian Morrissey on The Rebooting Show on August 13.
- **2025** — Discussed Affinity’s growth, pivots, profitability and culture on The Scaleup Flight, published January 13.
- **2026** — Affinity announced the acquisition of Affilizz for integration into NucleusLinks and joined AdCP as a founding member.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and leads Affinity Global, whose portfolio includes advertising networks and publisher software businesses.
- Affinity’s published 2024 milestone records tenfold revenue growth over five years and more than 480 employees; these are company-reported figures.
- Led Affinity during its 2023 acquisition of Opinary and subsequent European expansion.
- Affinity’s VEVE and SitePlug businesses received two 2026 CJ Excellence Awards, announced September 23, 2026; these are company awards.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Affinity announced Publisher of the Year recognition for VEVE and SitePlug at the CJ Excellence Awards, alongside an award for its Expedia Group partnership.
- **2026-08** — Punjabi appeared on Bloomberg Business Radio to discuss AI advertising standards and the open web; Affinity listed the coverage on August 6.
- **2026-06** — Affinity announced it had joined Ad Context Protocol (AdCP) as a founding member.
- **2026-03** — Affinity announced the acquisition of French affiliate technology business Affilizz and its integration into NucleusLinks.

## Links

- Website: https://www.affinity.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavinpunjabi/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lavin-punjabi
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25