Longtime industry change agent Chip Perry wrote the playbook for how to use “internal disruption” as a positive force within a traditional media environment. Back in 1997, Atlanta-based Cox Communications tapped Perry as employee No. 1 of a new venture that came to be AutoTrader, easily among the most successful online B2C verticals, with revenues today topping $1 billion.

Perry stepped down from AutoTrader about a year ago, giving him the chance to reflect and observe changes in the local media marketplace. Perry will bring his observations to BIA/Kelsey’s Leading in Local: The National Impact conference, May 7-9 in Atlanta. Perry will speak first at a luncheon for BIA/Kelsey clients and then will kick off the conference with an executive session with BIA/Kelsey CEO Tom Buono and Managing Director Rick Ducey.

We talked to Ducey about Perry and the important role he’ll play at the conference.

“Chip is a pioneer in Internet marketing, Internet advertising and in internal disruption within big companies,” Ducey said. “After taking the year to take stock and see what is going on in the industry, I am so excited to hear what kind of insights he has, what kind of observations he has.”

Check out this video for more of Ducey’s comments on Perry.

Longtime industry change agent Chip Perry wrote the playbook for how to use “internal disruption” as a positive force within a traditional media environment. Back in 1997, Atlanta-based Cox Communications tapped Perry as employee No. 1 of a new venture that came to be AutoTrader, easily among the most successful online B2C verticals, with revenues today topping $1 billion.

Perry stepped down from AutoTrader about a year ago, giving him the chance to reflect and observe changes in the local media marketplace. Perry will bring his observations to BIA/Kelsey’s Leading in Local: The National Impact conference, May 7-9 in Atlanta. Perry will speak first at a luncheon for BIA/Kelsey clients and then will kick off the conference with an executive session with BIA/Kelsey CEO Tom Buono and Managing Director Rick Ducey.

We talked to Ducey about Perry and the important role he’ll play at the conference.

“Chip is a pioneer in Internet marketing, Internet advertising and in internal disruption within big companies,” Ducey said. “After taking the year to take stock and see what is going on in the industry, I am so excited to hear what kind of insights he has, what kind of observations he has.”

Check out this video for more of Ducey’s comments on Perry.