Guest profile

Duane Varan

Duane Varan is the CEO of MediaPet.ai, an AI video platform rooted in decades of media science and neurometric research, and an award-winning media scholar recognized with the Australian Prime Minister’s Award and the ARF’s Erwin Efron Demystification Award.

1 appearance
Entrepreneurship

Guest · Duane Varan

Biography

About Duane Varan

Duane Varan is the CEO of MediaPet.ai, an AI video platform built on decades of media science research to help teams create high-impact ads with precise creative control and consistency. With a PhD in media, his early academic work included a landmark natural experiment studying the effects of television introduction on isolated communities. After years in academia, he went on to lead Disney’s innovation lab, laying the foundation for Media Science, which has since partnered with major TV networks and social media platforms. His pioneering work in neurometrics and emotion measurement transformed how advertising effectiveness is predicted. Dr. Varan has received numerous accolades, including the Australian Prime Minister’s Award for University Teacher of the Year and the ARF’s Erwin Efron Demystification Award.

The archive

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January 12, 2026

Entrepreneurship

Michael Peres

A Conversation with Duane Varan

Catching up on another episode with Duane Varan – CEO of MediaPet.ai and pioneering media scientist – as he breaks down how decades of academic research, neurometrics, and AI collided to reshape the future of advertising! 🤖📺 From running real-world experiments on the impact of television to leading Disney’s innovation lab, Duane shares the long, unexpected journey that led to building an AI video platform capable of producing near-real, high-performing ads at scale.

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