Boardroom Media (CEO News)
At CEO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top Chicago based CEO’ operating in the Advertising space. If you think a CEO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected].
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Vince Parrinello
CEO of Legacy Marketing Partners
Vince Parrinello is a CEO at Legacy Marketing Partners.
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About Legacy Marketing Partners: Legacy Marketing Partners is an independent brand experience agency that offers its customers with event marketing and digital campaigns.
Brian Littleton
Founder & CEO of ShareASale
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About ShareASale, The Brian Littleton Foundation: ShareASale is retail focused performance marketing network, enabling users to tap into a wider consumer base without additional costs.
Arsen Avakian
CEO and Founder of Cooler Screens
Mr. Arsen Avakian is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cooler Screens. He was the Founder of Argo Tea and serves as its Chief Executive Officer before that.
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About Argo Tea, Cooler Screens: Cooler Screens is a developer of interactive digital displays to replace glass doors in store aisles.
Ajay Pattani
Founder/CEO of Perfect Search Media
Ajay is the founder/CEO, resident comedian, & reigning ping pong champion of Perfect Search. He is also a member of the Chicago Founders Circle and Entreprenuers’ Organization (EO), a mentor at the co-working startup space 1871, & a board member of the non-profit organization Streetwise. He holds degrees in Finance & Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign & a JD from DePaul University.
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About 1871, Chicago Founders Circle, Packback, Perfect Search Media, SpaceX, YEC: Perfect Search Media is a full-service digital marketing agency.
Christopher Ainsley
CEO of ShopperTrak
Christopher Ainsley is the chief executive officer of ShopperTrak. Christopher is leading ShopperTrak’s global expansion as the retail industry’s leader in consumer behavior intelligence and information products. Christopher is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s day-to-day operations as they relate to revenue growth and strategic direction. Under his leadership, the company has an increased presence in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Christopher joined ShopperTrak in 2008 after serving as president and CEO of The Patent Board where he successfully transitioned the company from a consultancy to a business model of online tools and analytical products. Prior to that, he served as senior vice president of global strategy and business development for LexisNexis, New York. Christopher has also served as president and chief executive officer of Wolters Kluwer Health, one of three international divisions of Wolters Kluwer NA. A native of England and now an American citizen, Ainsley earned a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University and graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration with a master of business administration degree
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About ShopperTrak: ShopperTrak is a provider of people counter technology and foot traffic analysis that improve retail profitability.
Andy Yin
CEO APAC of ShopperTrak
Andy Yin is CEO APAC at ShopperTrak.
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About ShopperTrak: ShopperTrak is a provider of people counter technology and foot traffic analysis that improve retail profitability.
Jack Philbin
Co-Founder, President & CEO of Vibes
As one of the premier thought-leaders in mobile marketing and wireless, Jack spearheads Vibes’ strategic direction and drives the company’s position as the leading provider of mobile relationship management technology solutions for leading brands. An entrepreneur and builder, Jack has specific expertise in business development, strategic client management and consumer marketing. Jack currently serves as Chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association North America Board of Directors and on the CTIA Wireless Internet Caucus. Jack was honored with the MMA’s “Outstanding Individual Achievement” award in 2005. Under Jack’s leadership, Vibes was ranked #92 on the 2007 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing US companies and has received numerous awards for their innovation.
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About FireStarter Fund, Mobile Marketing Association, Vibes: Vibes is a mobile marketing software platform.
Leo Friedman
Founder & CEO of iPromo LLC
Leo Friedman is CEO & Co-founder of iPromo.
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About BuyHappier.com, Digital BrandWorks, Golden Reviews, iPromo LLC: iPromo develops and delivers promotional products that are used by businesses for their marketing campaigns.
Matthew Murphy
Founder and CEO of Fusion92
As the Founder and President of Fusion92—a position he has held since launching the company in 1999—Matt serves as the resident visionary, primary strategist and principal force behind the agency’s corporate development. Matt likes good wine, fast cars and sport coats.
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About Fusion92: Fusion92 is a independent marketing innovation agency.
Ross Shelleman
Chief Executive Officer of Aisle Rocket Studios
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About Aisle Rocket Studios: Aisle Rocket Studios is an internet marketing platform that builds brand experiences across all channels.
Matt Eichorn
CEO, President & Co-Founder of Freeosk Inc
Matt Eichorn–President of Freeosk, Inc.
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About Freeosk Inc: Freeosk is a network of in-store kiosks, driving trial and awareness for brands by giving free samples of new products to customers.
Brian Kristofek
President & Chief Executive Officer of Upshot, Inc
Brian joined Upshot in 1996 as an Account Director, worked his way up to President and was named CEO in 2007. He was previously in brand management at Anheuser-Busch and at agencies D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles and Euro RSCG Tatham. In his spare time, Brian can be found biking in Chicago’s western suburbs. He’s an avid cyclist, having raced with the U.S. team. He has a wife and two daughters. Brian graduated from Marquette University with a B.A. in Marketing and Advertising, is a faculty member of the In-Store Marketing Institute and is actively involved in the PMA.
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About Advantage Solutions, Upshot, Inc: Upshot specializes in total brand engagement, brand initiatives, and shopper marketing.
Brenna Hardman
Founder and CEO of Buy Side Design
Brenna Hardman is a Chicago trading gal whose passions are financial media, trading, food and her family. She loves being in front of the camera! Whether it’s to explain complicated option strategies or showing how to shuck oysters and make a mean chicken coconut curry soup – she’ll do it all! In media, she has successfully proposed and launched a new daily show on CBOE TV called “Pre-Market Pulse” where she does all her own research and writing. On the show, she covers a broad spectrum of market-related topics from Chinese ADRs, Foreign ETFs to equity options and structured products. Before that, she was hosting a special daily equity option segment for Jon Najarian’s Optionmonster show. She also has professional experience with trading at the CME Group and was the first to propose and work on a show that covers foreign exchange with a focus on RMB futures. Brenna has been quoted in Barron’s, Markets Media and Bloomberg news reports, serving as a guest on various media outlets. For past firms, she wrote daily market recaps that were sent to institutional traders, hedge funds and proprietary traders. She is a graduate of the Finance Honors program at DePaul University, studies Mandarin Chinese and maintains active Series 3, 4, 7, 24, 56 and 63 NFA & FINRA registrations. She has passed Papers 1, 2 and 3 with the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
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About Buy Side Design: Buy Side Design is a creative marketing studio for the financial industry.
Michael Magnusson
Founder/CEO of Pinnacle Advertising
Michael Magnusson is a President & CEO at Pinnacle Advertising & Marketing Group.
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About Pinnacle Advertising: Pinnacle Advertising is a full service advertising & marketing agency with extensive experience.
Stanton Kawer
Chairman & CEO of Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide
Stanton Kawer, Blue Chip Worldwide’s chairman and CEO, was the agency’s third full-time employee in 1988. Over his nearly 30-year career, Mr. Kawer has grown Blue Chip by developing insights-based strategies and accountability metrics that drive remarkable sales results for clients such as Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and many others. Beyond that, he has been the driving force behind Blue Chip’s mission of uniting to inspire and believes deeply in our ability to unite the talents of many people to make ideas more lucid and solutions more viable—for our clients, for each other. Stanton has led the agency to unprecedented growth, which landed Blue Chip on Crain’s Chicago Business’ “Fast Fifty” list five years in a row. When he is not busy with his wife and three daughters, Stanton is a prolific practitioner of yoga. So much so that he brought yoga into the workplace as a free benefit for all employees to unite mind, body and spirit.
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About Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide, Continuum Clinical: Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide are an independent, united marketing agency. Brand, Digital, Shopper/Retail, Creative, PR, Strategy.
George Burciaga
Founder & CEO of Elevate Digital
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About Elevate Digital, IGNITE CITIES: Elevate Digital is an interactive digital advertising and software company that transforms the way advertisers interact with consumers.
Ned Bennett
Founder , CEO , President & Director of Bravo Mic Communications
Ned W. Bennett is a Co-Founder of Bravo Mic Communications, LLC and serves as its President and CEO, and as a Director. Mr. Bennett was Co-Founder and was the Chief Executive Officer of optionsXpress Inc., a subsidiary of optionsXpress Holdings Inc. from August, 2000 to January, 2012. Mr. Bennett Co-Founded optionsXpress Holdings Inc. in February, 2000, and served as its Chief Operating Officer from February, 2000 to March, 2007 and Executive Vice Chairman from March, 2007 to January, 2012. He founded and served as the Chairman of brokersXpress, LLC, an independent broker-dealer and subsidiary of optionsXpress Holdings Inc. He, with his co-founders, took optionsXpress Holdings public in January, 2005 (ticker: OXPS). From July, 1997 to May, 1999, Mr. Bennett served in various positions at Dreyfus Brokerage Services Inc. (Pacific Brokerage Services), including Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of publicly-traded ED&F Man International Securities Inc. from December, 1994 to July, 1997. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Geldermann Securities, a ConAgra company that he developed into a major clearing firm, from November, 1987 to December, 1994.
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About Bravo Mic Communications: Bravo Mic Communications is the fastest growing media company in Southern New Mexico offering a variety of Radio Production, Multimedia.
Tom O’Keefe
Founder and CEO of O’Keefe, Reinhard and Paul
Tom’s experience working directly with clients combined with his reputation as a driven creative leader is one reason why O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul enjoys the label, “grown-up start-up.” Tom has worked on iconic campaigns for great brands, including Taco Bell, Amazon.com, MillerCoors and Electronic Arts. Prior to forming OKRP in 2013, he served as North American Creative Director for DraftFCB. “Practice the High Art of Selling” is the OKRP principle that has defined Tom’s career, with equal emphasis on both “Art” and “Sell”.
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About O’Keefe, Reinhard and Paul: O’Keefe, Reinhard and Paul is an advertising agency that delivers big brand creativity solutions to startups.
Todd Brook
Founder & CEO of envisionit
Todd Brook i s Founder & CEO at Envisionit Media.
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About Engagement Multiplier, envisionit: Envisionit is a digital marketing agency that provides data, analytics, tracking, optimization, and targeting solutions to its clients.
Marlene Byrne
CEO of Celtic Chicago, Inc.
For 26 years, Marlene has led Celtic by defining a culture of integrity and passion for excellence. She ensures that clients develop a strong relationship with their Celtic team, and work in concert to use industry knowledge for marketing strategy. She inspires each Celt to generate ideas that work across integrated platforms, deliver sales, and advance brands. As a true hands-on leader, Marlene can often be found participating in creative and strategy brainstorm sessions.
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About Celtic Chicago, Inc.: Celtic Chicago is a full-service communications agency that launches products and brands with dynamic strategy and stellar creativity.
John Contreras
CEO & Co-Founder of MoveSpring
John Contreras is the Co-Founder and CEO at MoveSpring.
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About MoveSpring: MoveSpring is a fun, simple, highly engaging health platform enabling employers to educate and motivate employees toward better health.
Dmitry Kochman
CEO, Founder of Strimm
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About Strimm: Strimm is SaaS TV platform, which allows anyone create their own linear TV network online out of virtually any video content.
Stephen Corby
CEO & Founder of Specless
Stephen initially saw the need for a product like Specless while at CBS Interactive where he managed mobile monetization for properties such as CNET.com and CBSNews.com. His time at CBS and his previous experience at a global creative agency working with Fortune 500 brands has given him a unique perspective on the process of creating and running successful campaigns. Stephen’s work experience, combined with his award-winning design background and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Michigan, has proven to be a combination perfectly suited for building a new way to create ads for the responsive web.
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About Specless: Specless empowers publishers to evolve beyond tired display ad formats and bring to market a more valuable advertising experience.
Kevin Allodi
CEO | Co-Founder of Philo Media
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About Philo Media: Philo Media is connecting brands with people in the moment.
Michael Davies
President / CEO of AlphaZeta Interactive
Michael Davies is CEO, President and founding partner of AlphaZeta. For the past 11 years, Mr. Davies has spearheaded the rapid growth of the firm—partnering with clients such as Motorola, Aon, Hyatt Resorts, Bosch, Vera Bradley and Griffith Laboratories. He’s championed the client-focused success of the agency, winning recognition such as Telly Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards and Davey Awards. Foundations Mr. Davies began his career building information systems for Reuters, including an organizational tracking system for the 1996 Olympics. His multifaceted digital experience includes roles as diverse as CTO for eBay Real-Estate partner iBidco and Producer for nationally branded advertising service Classified Ventures, Inc. Inspirations Mr. Davies currently sits on the Executive Board of the Chicago Area Runner Association (CARA) and serves on multiple committees for the Chicago Yacht Club. In addition, he acts as Strategic Advisor to the management team for non-profit group i.c. Stars. Mr. Davies is also past chair of the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing Interactive Marketing SIG. He’s an avid runner, frequent sailor and active member of the Chicago Yacht Club.
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About AlphaZeta Interactive: AlphaZeta Interactive is a Chicago based full-service interactive agency that bridges technology and strategy for engagement driven results.
Marc Landsberg
Founder & CEO of Socialdeviant
Marc Landsberg is a Founder & CEO at Socialdeviant.
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About Socialdeviant: Socialdeviant provides social media marketing and content management services for businesses to optimize ROI.
Steve Bernas
President and CEO of Council of Better Business Bureaus
Steve Bernas is President and CEO at Better Business Bureau.
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About Council of Better Business Bureaus: Council of Better Business Bureaus offers business accreditation services in the U.S. and Canada.
Elliot Hirsch
Founder & CEO of AdYapper
Elliot Hirsch is the CEO and Founder of AdYapper, MRC accredited ad viewability technology that businesses use to quantify and increase the effectiveness of their digital advertising. We spoke with him about how he pitched his idea to maximize funding for his startup, and he provided us with some useful information for entrepreneurs.
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About AdYapper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago: AdYapper tracks display and mobile ads that generate detailed verification data, consumer sentiment, and viewability.
Tony Hunter
Chairman and CEO of The McClatchy Company
Tony W. Hunter was appointed chief executive officer of Tribune Publishing in July 2011, assuming responsibility for the strategic priorities and day-to-day digital and print operations of seven Tribune newspaper companies including the Baltimore Sun in MD: Chicago Tribune in IL; Daily Press in VA; Hartford Courant in CT; the Morning Call in PA; Orlando Sentinel and Sun Sentinel in FL. He is currently leading the transformation of these traditional newspaper companies into media and business service companies. Hunter served as one of the four members of Tribune Company’s Executive Council, which exercised the responsibilities of the office of Chief Executive and President from October 2010 to May 2011. Since September 2008, Hunter has served as publisher and CEO of Chicago Tribune Company, overseeing a robust print and digital media portfolio including the Chicago Tribune, RedEye, Hoy, chicagotribune.com, TribLocal, and Chicago Magazine. During this time, Hunter helped lead the recent redesign and expansion of content at the Chicago Tribune; the establishment of the “Breaking News Center,” an around-the-clock digital operation leveraging capabilities of Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV, WGN-AM and CLTV; the signing of printing and distribution agreements Sun-Times News Group; numerous digital initiatives including 435digital; a redesigned Chicago Tribune website and several mobile products. Hunter previously was senior vice president/circulation and operations for Chicago Tribune, a position he assumed in 2007. In this capacity, he was responsible for production, technology and circulation, as well as marketing strategy, customer acquisition/retention, manufacturing and distribution. Hunter joined Chicago Tribune in 1994 as manager/circulation planning and analysis. During his tenure, he led the development of the pricing and distribution strategies for the launch of RedEye. Prior to joining Chicago Tribune, Hunter worked for the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) as Director of Field Auditing-Newspapers and held a variety of auditing positions from 1984 to 1994. A native of Calumet City, Illinois, Hunter holds an MBA in leadership and organizational development from DePaul University and a BA in accounting, business administration and economics from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is a CPA, the former president of Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, a current member of the Civic Committee, and board member of Metropolitan Family Services. Hunter and his wife Sue, live in Chicagoland.
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About The McClatchy Company: McClatchy is a publicly news publisher with 30 newsrooms including The Miami Herald, Charlotte Observer, Kansas City Star and Sacramento Bee
Marc S. Simon
Chief Executive Officer of HALO Branded Solutions
Mr. Simon was appointed Chief Executive Officer and a director of HALO Branded Solutions in February 2001. He was recently honored as the “Person of the Year” by the industry’s leading trade publication, Counselor. Prior to joining HALO Branded Solutions, Mr. Simon spent 22 years in private law practice and five years as a leading executive in the call center industry. Mr. Simon is a CPA and has a BS in accounting and a J.D. from the University of Illinois.
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About HALO Branded Solutions: HALO Branded Solutions offers enterprises with marketing solutions and is a distributor of promotional products.
Gaia Nova
President & CEO of Power Tower Inc.
Gaia Nova is the Co-Founder and President at Power Tower Inc.
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About Power Tower Inc., Siwa Inc.: We build charging technology that creates lasting connections between brands and their customers.
James Carpenter
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Honeycomb
James Carpenter joined Honeycomb TV as Chief Executive Officer and Founder in 2014.
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About Honeycomb: A tv and video ad management platform
Tom Wright
CEO & Founder of Red Cannonball
Tom Wright is the CEO and Founder of Red Cannonball Digital Marketing. Tom created Red Cannonball in the fall of 2011 to help local businesses establish a marketing presence online. Since then Tom has helped businesses in the retail, service, and hospitality industries attract new business in their target markets by using the power of analytics, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing. Tom prides himself on helping his clients grow their businesses and watching success stories take place. Tom enjoys making connections and helping others grow their professional networks.
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About Red Cannonball: Red Cannonball is a digital marketing agency that offers online advertising services for small and mid-sized businesses.
Andrew Mahler
CEO of The Mx Group
Andrew Mahler is a CEO at The Mx Group
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About The Mx Group: The Mx Group is a digital and demand generation agency that empowers companies with the competitive edge of modern B2B marketing.
Mike Fisher
CEO of Storymix Media
Mike Fisher is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner & Chief Executive Officer of Storymix Media.
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About Storymix Media: Storymix Media is a crowdsourced automated video creation platform for digital agencies and content marketers.
Christine Kurban
Founder & CEO of Sync360
Christine is currently the Founder and CEO of Sync360, a full-service strategic marketing and branding agency focused in healthcare, technology, professional services and social impact. She is an expert in marketing strategy and branding, with more than 13 years of experience in corporate marketing and more than 10 as an entrepreneur. Christine shares her passion and talent for turning dreams into reality by assisting both companies and individuals in attaining their highest goals and aspirations. She is an entrepreneur, conscious business and leadership coach, philanthropist, writer and speaker. Passionate about empowering women and making a difference, Christine is currently co-founding a new organization, SheVillage, to build community and empower female executives and entrepreneurs to raise consciousness in business. While pursing her Masters in Spiritual Psychology, she is also co-creating the Alumni Association for the University of Santa Monica. Christine has served on several non-profit boards, including Step Up Women’s Network, where she was instrumental in growing Step Up in Chicago as the CFO of the Board, Chair of the Fundraising Committee and Co-Founder and Chair of their annual gala, Shine and Dine. She’s led numerous wellness and education programs for organizations, taught business to children through Junior Achievement and co-founded a Rainbows program for a local elementary school. Christine is an adventurous traveler and lives in both Chicago and Santa Monica. She can be spotted at Whole Foods, practicing yoga, meditating or playing at the beach with her dog, Buddha.
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About Sync360: Sync360 is a healthcare marketing and advertising agency that catalyzes growth in a mindful, integrated way with a healthcare marketing.
Larry Fisher
CEO of Rise Interactive
Larry Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer at Rise Interactive.
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About Rise Interactive: Rise Interactive is a full-service digital marketing agency, helping leading brands drive better business outcomes.
Tony Christos
CEO & Co-Founder of BillBoarder
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About BillBoarder: BillBoarder is a B2B marketplace for outdoor advertising.
Salvatore DiBenedetto
Chief Executive Officer of Malu Marketing
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About Malu Marketing: Social Media Growth Agency
David Zaretsky
CEO, Co-Founder, Chief Scientist of Snips
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About Snips: Real Influence. Real Results.
Roger Stanton
President & CEO of Digi-Me
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About Digi-Me: Digi-Me operates in the staffing and recruiting, also termed talent acquisition, segment of the human resources technology market.
Todd Dunham
CEO of The ASO Project
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About The ASO Project: The ASO Project offers App Store Optimization solutions for some of the world’s leading apps.
Josh Morris
Co-Founder, CEO of Investing Media Solutions
Josh is the dynamic and interactive leader of our team. He is a sales and management professional with over 15 years of experience, expertise, and proven track record of success within a very competitive industry. Josh’s background includes co-founding Zacks InvestorReach and Zacks Vertical Reach Media from 1998 to 2009; followed by a key role at InvestingChannel as an equity partner and the Director of Sales, managing the Dedicated Email and Direct Mail divisions from 2009 – 2012 and growing the company from a mere three publishers to over eighty in just three years. Josh is an exceptional communicator who thrives on a consultative advertising approach, with his unique problem solving abilities and the ability to aggressively identify new opportunities, he is constantly challenging the status quo to focus on the client’s needs and goals. Josh leads by example always exceeding all revenue goals, accustomed to shattering expectations. Josh has the unique ability to manage and facilitate a high level of collaboration amongst colleagues and clients.
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About Investing Media Solutions: IMS manages the advertising businesses of our publishers creating a large, unique, powerful opportunity for marketers.
Brian Abrams
President – CEO of Corporate Imaging Concepts
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About Corporate Imaging Concepts: Corporate Imaging Concepts, Inc. provides products and services for brand building.
Brent Payne
CEO of Loud Interactive
Brent D. Payne started doing ‘SEO’ before it was even called ‘SEO’. He’s an internet marketer with over a decade of experience and proven success. He cut his teeth in online marketing as a vendor for Amazon.com where he became Amazon’s second largest electronics vendor by driving demand to Amazon from search engines. Brent is esteemed as one of the top SEOs in the world. He speaks around the world (just Google ‘SEO presentations’ to find them) at online conferences and has held online marketing roles at prestigious companies such as Tribune Company, where he grew Tribune’s search engine traffic from 500,000 visits per day to 1,700,000 visits per day in just 3 years. He’s been consulting since 2009. He did so part time at first as he drove success at Tribune. He began consulting full-time in 2011 with the advent of BaldSEO.com. He has helped several different companies in several different industries. In fact, his success necessitated the expansion of the consulting firm beyond himself which eventually led to the creation of Loud Interactive. Why the company name change? The employees he hired wouldn’t shave their heads!
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About Loud Interactive: Loud Interactive is an online marketing agency specialized in SEO, marketing, online reputation management, and paid search services.
Michael Marchese
Founder and CEO of Tempesta Media
Founder and CEO of Tempesta Media, a leading content and influencer marketing platform, serving small and medium businesses. To learn how Tempesta Media can help your business drive your business forward, please visit us at http://www.TempestaMedia.com and learn more. Mr. Marchese also is the founder of the SEO & Content Marketing Leaders of America, found on LinkedIn. It serves marketing and business executives throughout North America. To request an invitation to join, please following this link: http://www.linkd.in/1E2dWcV
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About Tempesta Media: Performance-based content marketing solution that drives revenue for your business
Kathy Steele
Founder and CEO of Red Caffeine – A Growth Consultancy
Long-time Entrepreneur, Recent IncSmallGiant, Married to Manufacturing, Playing the GGOB, Fascinated with Transformational Leadership.
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About Red Caffeine – A Growth Consultancy: Red Caffeine is a Growth Consultancy that’s mission is to build badass brands clients want to work with and employees want to work for.
Sandy Marsico
Founder & CEO of Sandstorm Design
Sandy Marsico is the Founder and CEO at Sandstorm Design and Member Board Of Directors at Women Presidents’ Organization.
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About Sandstorm Design, Sandstorm Design: Elevate your marketing with our blend of strategy, content, UX, responsive web design and usability expertise at Sandstorm.
Sunil Aluvila
President & CEO of VacayHome Connect
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About VacayHome Connect: VacayHome Connect focuses in the fields of vacation rental industry, distribution, digital marketing, web-stores, and websites.
Daniel Newman
Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder of V3 Broadsuite
Daniel Newman is a 3x Best Selling Author, Futurist and Insight Partner to the world’s largest brands. Daniel delivers a highly compelling and memorable experience, which audiences long for. With a breadth of topics to include Technology, Social Media, Marketing and Sales, Daniel brings a diversity that is rare yet highly desirable in a keynote speaker. Over the past decade Daniel Newman has delivered more than 250 keynote, panel discussions, workshops and live interviews throughout North America. With a focus on the rapid convergence of marketing and technology, Newman’s sessions cover the gambit of Social Media, Mobility, Cloud, Big Data; all with measurable and meaningful ties to creating better customer experiences. Over the past 3 years Newman has been recognized by some of the world most recognized media outlets and brands as a top influencer in subjects such as Leadership, Employee Engagement, Human Resources, Technology and Marketing. With his uncanny ability to tie together technology trends and business transformation, Newman is trusted by brands such as IBM, Dell, SAP and Oracle to provide his unique perspective on topics business digital transformation and social customer service. With a mix of quick wit and humor, Daniel is able to rapidly build connections with almost any audience. As a former CEO of a midsize company, Newman also understands how to integrate speaking topics with an audiences most pressing needs. Author of 2 Amazon Best Selling Books, Newman is a trusted voice found weekly on Forbes, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur Magazine. If your company or organization is looking for “Wow” at your next event, then you have come to the right place. Daniel doesn’t hold back, bringing excitement and valuable insight for every audience he engages.
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About V3 Broadsuite: V3 Broadsuite is an innovative agency specializing in the digital space.
Taylor Gaines
CEO of SocialGaines
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About SocialGaines: Social gaines is a modern marketing agency specializing in social media.
David Schawk
CEO of Schawk
David Schawk is the CEO at Schawk
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About Schawk: Schawk is a global brand deployment company that produces brand assets and protects brand equities to make brands more profitable.
Brad Fishman
CEO of Fishman Public Relations
Brad Fishman has devoted the majority of his career to not only building Fishman Public Relations into one of the largest and most respect PR agencies of its kind, but also promoting franchising as a business model and helping educate franchise systems about effective lead generation strategies. Always seeking to stay on top of the latest trends, people, news and legislation impacting the franchise industry, Brad can found as a participant or known presence at nearly every franchising event domestically or overseas. As one of the most well-connected individuals in the franchise industry, Brad has spent more than 20 years helping franchise systems develop franchisee lead generation and consumer awareness campaigns that help them achieve their desired growth. As a successful entrepreneur who knows how to operate a business, Brad has earned the trust and credibility of other entrepreneurs in the industry. His professional involvement in franchising includes sitting on the boards of numerous companies and organizations, as well as serving as past chairman of the IFA’s Franchise Supplier Forum, a past member of the IFA’s board and executive board and the IFA’s Membership and International committees. Brad enjoys skiing, golfing, traveling the world with friends and family and hosting some of the best parties in franchising.
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About Fishman Public Relations: Fishman Public Relations provides publicity and social media support for the franchise industry.
Del Dominguez
Founder & CEO of LickchopSEO
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About LickchopSEO, Mixed Motion Art Dance Academy: Search Engine Optimization, Digital Marketing, Small Business Marketing
Shannon Downey
Founder & CEO of Pivotal Chicago
SShannon has trained hundreds of top-level marketers at leading ad agencies in digital and social media marketing and is known for her mad skills as a digital trainer. In her spare time, she sits on the Board of Directors for the Firebelly Foundation and is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University. She blogs for Crain’s Business on Women in Entrepreneurship and she had the privilege of doing a TED talk at the 2012 TEDActive Conference in Palm Springs.
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About Pivotal Chicago: By harnessing the combined powers of traditional and new media, we create marketing strategies that deliver.
Bruce Fogelson
CEO of Lets Sponsor
Bruce Fogelson is an entrepreneur and inventor based out of Chicago. He is founder and CEO of LetsSponsor.com, an online platform that revolutionizes the way that charities engage with and attract sponsors and donors by recognizing them in ad-like free websites that LetsSponsor.com provides for free to its primarily non-profit/charity groups. Founder and lead sponsor for The Chicago Innovation Challenge through Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) that is a pitch competition for local university and chicago high school applicants. Bruce Fogelson is also the owner of the real estate company Paramount Homes, which has won the Chicago Realtors “Good Neighbor Award” over 13 times since 1993. Inventor of 2 patents on charity ad books and 4 on builder on-line assistant. The intellectual property with several patients include “Method And System For Creating Advertising (Ad) Books” that is the subject of the Lets Sponsor business.. Another interest of Bruce Fogelson’s is his love of giving to charity. A frequent supporter of the American Theatre Company, IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology University), Chicago Student Science Fair, Trust For Public Lands, etc. He’s also a supporter of Chicago public schools. Bruce donates to the education programs and donates books to schools in Chicago and China.
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About AdbookAssistant.com, Lets Sponsor, Paramount Homes: Lets Sponsor is a peer-to-peer fundraising platform for (charity/non-profit) groups to raise money while recognizing donors/sponsors online
Karen Seda
Founder & CEO of Bespoke BizDev LLC
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About Bespoke BizDev LLC: A Business Development Agency for Startups. Helping Startups Scale.
Doug Youmans
Founder & CEO of Cash Points
Doug Youmans is Founder & CEO at Cash Points.
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About Cash Points, Pass82: Cash Points is a Community Marketing System along with an interactive website and membership card.
Doug Youmans
Founder & CEO of Cash Points
Doug Youmans is Founder & CEO at Cash Points.
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About Cash Points, Pass82: Cash Points is a Community Marketing System along with an interactive website and membership card.
David Ormesher
CEO & Founder of Closerlook
David Ormesher is CEO @ Closerlook.
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About Closerlook: Closerlook, inc. is a digital marketing agency which provides solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
Greg Montagna
CEO of GL Enterprises
Greg Montagna is CEO @ GL Enterprises.
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About GL Enterprises: GL Enterprises is a recruitment agency that represents individuals within the advertising industry.
Cary Pearlman
President & CEO of E Click Peformance
Cary Pearlman is President & CEO at E Click Peformance.
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About E Click Peformance: eClick Peformance is an internet marketing and design firm that focuses on web and user interface development, and SEO.
Stephanie Hastings
CEO of Loyal Joe
Stephanie Hastings is CEO at Loyal Joe.
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About Loyal Joe: Loyal Joe is a website that allows businesses to create custom referral rewards programs.
James Ware
Founder & CEO of Reward Hunt, Inc.
James Ware, Chief Executive Officer. James has both law enforcement (Captain, Anchorage AK Police Dept.) military, and extensive business management and retail sales experience.; both owning and managing retail sales stores, and outside sales (telecommunications and data equipment 1986 to 2000). From 2001 to September 2005 he owned and operated a web-based business with revenues over one million dollars.
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About Reward Hunt, Inc.: The mission of Reward Hunt is to serve local communities by providing a national and international opportunity for people to learn.
