EP182 Beyond The Scroll: Earning Gen Z’s Attention

Getting someone to scroll past your ad isn’t the same as getting their attention. So what makes people stop and care? Ben Moore, US Managing Director at BeReal, joins Tessa Burg on Leader Generation to explore how brands can build meaningful connections with Gen Z. Drawing on his experience at BeReal and TikTok, Ben explains why the moments people choose to show up for can matter more than the time they spend on a platform.

You’ll hear how screen fatigue and AI-generated content are shaping what people want from social media, why trust matters for advertising, and where AI can help without losing the human touch. Ben also shares what brands should consider when creating content for BeReal, including why a polished campaign from another platform may miss the mark. Listen for a fresh perspective on earning attention and making your brand part of a moment people care about. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.

About Ben Moore:

Ben Moore is the U.S. Managing Director of BeReal, the once-daily photo-sharing social platform known for its authentic, unfiltered approach. A former TikTok and Walmart Connect advertising executive with over a decade of experience in digital media monetization, Moore previously led global media buying partnerships at TikTok and held leadership roles at Havas and Dailymotion. He now oversees BeReal’s U.S. revenue, growth, and strategic partnerships, championing human-first ad experiences that align with the app’s ethos of genuine engagement. 

About Tessa Burg:

Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council, and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen, and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].