Patrick Venetucci is the CEO of IZEA, a leading creator economy company that empowers marketers through a suite of creator agency services, proprietary technologies, and a global creator marketplace. He has served on IZEA’s Board of Directors since 2018, including as Chairman of the Audit Committee, and was appointed CEO to drive innovation and growth across the platform. Previously, Patrick was CEO of MERGE, a private equity-backed marketing technology firm operating at the intersection of technology consulting and creative services. Under his leadership, MERGE tripled its revenue and profitability through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, serving clients across health, financial services, and consumer industries. Earlier in his career, Patrick spent over two decades in global advertising leadership roles. At Leo Burnett Worldwide, he rose to President of Global Operations, where he led global accounts, digital transformation, and M&A. He also served as Global Head of HR, chaired the executive compensation committee, and spent over 10 years developing integrated marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 brands—including a three-year assignment in Tokyo, where he launched the agency’s first digital marketing unit. From 2016 to 2018, he was President of U.S. Operations and Integration at Dentsu Aegis Network, where he led the successful integration of Merkle, the largest acquisition in industry history. Patrick holds an MBA in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BA from the University of Iowa.Patrick Venetucci is the CEO of IZEA, a leading creator economy company that empowers marketers through a suite of creator agency services, proprietary technologies, and a global creator marketplace. He has served on IZEA’s Board of Directors since 2018, including as Chairman of the Audit Committee, and was appointed CEO to drive innovation and growth across the platform. Previously, Patrick was CEO of MERGE, a private equity-backed marketing technology firm operating at the intersection of technology consulting and creative services. Under his leadership, MERGE tripled its revenue and profitability through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, serving clients across health, financial services, and consumer industries. Earlier in his career, Patrick spent over two decades in global advertising leadership roles. At Leo Burnett Worldwide, he rose to President of Global Operations, where he led global accounts, digital transformation, and M&A. He also served as Global Head of HR, chaired the executive compensation committee, and spent over 10 years developing integrated marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 brands—including a three-year assignment in Tokyo, where he launched the agency’s first digital marketing unit. From 2016 to 2018, he was President of U.S. Operations and Integration at Dentsu Aegis Network, where he led the successful integration of Merkle, the largest acquisition in industry history. Patrick holds an MBA in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BA from the University of Iowa.