Chicago, a city known for its dynamic culture and cutting-edge innovation, is also home to some of the most forward-thinking digital marketing campaigns. One standout example is Adcetera’s collaboration with Logitech to launch the G PRO driving wheel and pedals—a campaign that showcases the power of influencer-driven digital marketing. The goal was clear: to engage the growing community of racing simulation enthusiasts, a group that demands top-tier performance, authenticity, and precision.
Adcetera’s strategy focused on positioning the Logitech G PRO as not just another piece of tech, but as the real deal—gear used by professional NASCAR drivers.
To bring this vision to life, Adcetera, a Chicago based agency, tapped into the credibility of NASCAR stars like Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, and William Byron, who were perfectly aligned with the racing simulation world. The campaign featured a four-day shoot capturing dynamic content, both in racing simulators and real-world settings, highlighting the G PRO gear in action. Through high-energy photos and videos, the campaign showcased the product’s exceptional performance, making it irresistible to both hardcore racing fans and gaming enthusiasts alike.
But the campaign didn’t stop there. It was designed for rapid amplification across social media, creating a buzz with every post. In just one week, the campaign garnered 50,000 Facebook views, 15,000 Instagram likes, and 200+ retweets, proving its resonance with the target audience. This strategic blend of influencer credibility, high-impact content, and social media amplification not only boosted Logitech’s visibility but also solidified the G PRO as a must-have for serious sim racers.
Now, let's take a closer look at the Top 9 CEOs of Digital Marketing Agencies in Chicago, the masterminds behind campaigns like this one, who are pushing the boundaries of digital marketing and driving innovation in the industry.
Meet the 8 Visionary CEOs Shaping Chicago's Digital Marketing Future
Chicago's digital marketing landscape is thriving, driven by visionary CEOs who are pushing the boundaries of creativity, technology, and strategy. Below are the leaders shaping the future of digital marketing from the Windy City.
1. Ben Swartz
Ben Swartz, Founder and CEO of Marcel Digital, stands out as a pioneering force in Chicago’s digital marketing scene. With a background at AOL-Time Warner, Swartz launched Marcel Digital in 2003 after seeing the untapped potential in Google’s AdWords — and a new agency was born. Under his leadership, Marcel Digital has become a Google Certified agency, specializing in SEO, PPC management, conversion rate optimization, and custom web development.
Swartz’s leadership is rooted in transparency, authenticity, and a commitment to building genuine client relationships. His focus on middle-market firms across industries such as B2B, healthcare, finance, and eCommerce has driven impressive growth. Marcel Digital’s development department saw a 20% revenue increase, and the agency experienced 50% year-over-year growth, largely thanks to its focus on Umbraco as the primary CMS platform.
Beyond his business acumen, Swartz has a strong commitment to social causes, serving as Chairman of StreetWise, a Chicago organization helping the homeless, and engaging with other initiatives like Chicago Lights and JUF. His leadership philosophy revolves around empowering talent and creating a collaborative environment where innovation thrives.
Marcel Digital’s impressive client roster, which includes SEKO Logistics and Bethel University, reflects Swartz’s ability to blend technical expertise with strategic insight. His dedication to clear communication and transparency sets a high bar in the industry, making him a standout leader in Chicago’s digital marketing space.
2. Dimi Albers
Since taking the helm in 2017, Dimi Albers has driven DEPT®'s exponential growth, with the agency surpassing €500 million in revenue by 2022. His approach blends creativity, technology, and data in innovative ways, offering clients a truly integrated service. DEPT®’s impressive roster includes global brands such as Google, Philips, Samsung, and Formula E, reflecting Albers' ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions that span across industries and continents.
Dimi's journey from project manager to global CEO is a testament to his strategic vision and leadership. Under Albers' guidance, DEPT® has evolved from a 130-person agency in the Netherlands to a global powerhouse with over 4,000 digital specialists across 30+ locations worldwide.
A passionate advocate for both innovation and culture, Albers places high importance on employee satisfaction, often highlighting the need for "happy Depsters" alongside client success. This focus on people has contributed to DEPT®'s strong internal culture, even as it continues to scale rapidly through acquisitions — more than 30 since 2015.
Beyond business growth, Albers is dedicated to sustainability, ensuring that DEPT® has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified since 2021. His leadership philosophy, grounded in a blend of ambition and authenticity, positions DEPT® as a key player in the digital marketing landscape. With several prestigious awards, including Agency Network of the Year at the Webby Awards, Albers’ vision for DEPT® continues to set the standard for the future of digital marketing.
3. Kristy Sexton
With over 25 years of experience, the founder of Adcetera has transformed the agency into one of the largest woman-owned creative services firms in the country. Kristy Sexton’s energetic leadership and visionary approach have set the company apart in a highly competitive market. Adcetera, with offices in Houston, Chicago, and The Woodlands, thrives under her guidance as a creative powerhouse, specializing in branding, digital marketing, advertising, video production, and web design.
Sexton, who holds a degree in industrial design and visual communications, oversees all creative teams at Adcetera. She ensures every project blends creativity with strategic insight, delivering exceptional results for clients like BP, Cisco, Marathon Oil, and Houston Methodist. Her ability to lead teams to craft innovative, intelligence-driven campaigns has been key to Adcetera’s growth and success.
Adcetera’s culture reflects Sexton’s passionate leadership style, which attracts some of the most talented professionals in the industry. She fosters a unique environment where creativity and collaboration are at the forefront, empowering her teams to deliver high-impact solutions that drive client growth.
In addition to her work at Adcetera, Sexton is a sought-after industry speaker and a dedicated leader in various charitable and community organizations. Her commitment to both professional excellence and social impact has solidified her as a respected figure in the digital marketing world. Under her stewardship, Adcetera continues to push boundaries, providing brands with smart, innovative, and people-powered marketing solutions.
4. Michael Svanascini
Under the leadership of Michael Svanascini, Americaneagle.com has evolved from a local digital agency into a global powerhouse with over 700 professionals. Founded over 25 years ago, the agency has seen impressive growth, with a 63% revenue increase over three years and multiple recognitions as one of Inc. magazine’s fastest-growing companies.
Svanascini's vision has been pivotal in guiding the agency’s expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Bulgarian digital agency Athracian. His approach to acquisitions is particularly noteworthy for its focus on customer retention, even when the cultural fit isn't perfect, ensuring that the company’s core values are maintained while scaling operations.
Americaneagle.com offers a full spectrum of services, including web design, development, hosting, and digital marketing. With a client roster that includes names like Salesforce, Stuart Weitzman, and the American Dental Association, the agency has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge digital solutions. The company's proficiency in Sitecore is evident, having completed over 1,000 implementations globally, and earning all five of Sitecore’s Core Composable Product Specialization Badges.
Svanascini’s leadership is marked by a forward-thinking approach, with clear goals for continued growth, including an ambitious plan to double business revenue over a two-to-four-year period. His balanced leadership style and emphasis on both technological expertise and client satisfaction have made Americaneagle.com a trusted partner for enterprises across industries, ensuring its position as a major player in the digital marketing space.
5. Milos O.
Milos O. has transformed MA Team into a dynamic force in the digital marketing landscape, offering a wide range of services tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. Since taking the helm as CEO in 2016, he has led the agency with a hands-on, innovative approach that focuses on delivering personalized marketing strategies for a diverse client base across the U.S. and Europe.
Under his leadership, MA Team has excelled in web development, social media management, PPC advertising, and email marketing, with a strong focus on platforms like WordPress and PrestaShop. The agency’s commitment to flexibility is evident in its customizable subscription and payment models, allowing businesses of all sizes to access high-quality marketing services that fit their budgets.
Milos is recognized for his responsiveness and strong communication skills, ensuring that clients are kept informed and involved throughout the process. His forward-thinking approach to digital marketing allows MA Team to stay ahead of trends, whether through video production, in-store promotions, or social media campaigns.
With over 14 years of experience in both traditional and digital marketing, Milos’ expertise shines through in the agency's work. His certifications in Google Ads Search and Display further underscore his commitment to staying at the forefront of the digital marketing industry.
MA Team’s client-centric approach, combined with Milos' leadership, has positioned the agency as a rising star in Chicago's competitive digital marketing scene, continually striving toward its goal of becoming one of the most successful agencies in the U.S.
6. Adam Heitzman, Scott Langdon, and David McElveen
As co-founders and managing partners at HigherVisibility, Adam Heitzman, Scott Langdon, and David McElveen have carved a remarkable path in the digital marketing industry. With over 50 years of combined experience, these leaders have propelled HigherVisibility to the forefront of SEO and digital marketing, making it one of the most recognized firms in the nation.
Adam Heitzman, with his deep expertise in SEO, brings over 19 years of experience. His transformative approach helped clients grow by optimizing organic traffic, including a standout achievement of increasing a client's e-commerce traffic by 300%. His innovative mindset continues to drive the agency’s success, leveraging SEO strategies to maximize ROI for clients.
Scott Langdon, with over 24 years in the industry, is the strategic force behind HigherVisibility’s operational excellence. His background includes founding Nationwide Card Services and a tenure as Vice President of Marketing at Bankrate. His leadership has been pivotal in the firm's growth, ensuring that every digital strategy aligns with client objectives.
David McElveen, with over 15 years of experience, oversees the company’s business development and sales teams. His background in high-level marketing roles at Hilton and Bankrate complements his ability to deliver tailored digital solutions that improve online visibility and conversions for businesses across industries.
Under their leadership, HigherVisibility has not only won numerous accolades, including SEO Agency of the Yearbut has also developed a reputation for delivering exceptional value through cutting-edge strategies.
7. Andrea Bendzick
Andrea Bendzick, the newly appointed CEO of Wpromote, brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic leadership style to one of Chicago’s most innovative digital marketing agencies. With over 20 years in senior executive roles, including stints as CEO at Astreya Partners and key positions at NTT Data and HP, Bendzick’s background in scaling businesses and driving transformation is a perfect fit for Wpromote’s future.
Her strategic focus on blending AI and cutting-edge technology with human insight has been a key factor in her success. At Wpromote, Bendzick is poised to leverage this approach to elevate the agency’s ability to deliver bold, data-driven strategies that fuel growth for high-profile clients like Peacock, Intuit QuickBooks, Vuori, and Spanx. Her emphasis on human potential is not just about clients, but also about empowering employees to perform at their best.
Known for her transformative impact on organizations, Bendzick’s leadership at Astreya saw the company double in size and triple its profits. She brings this same focus on efficiency, scalability, and innovation to Wpromote, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.
Bendzick’s ability to seamlessly integrate technology with strategic growth makes her one of the standout leaders in the industry. With a deep commitment to both people and technology, her leadership is set to propel Wpromote into its next chapter of success.
8. Doug Grumet
With over two decades of experience in digital and traditional media, Doug Grumet has proven to be a driving force in the advertising world. Currently serving as the General Manager of AMP Agency, Grumet has played a pivotal role in the agency's evolution, overseeing its day-to-day operations and guiding its strategic direction. His leadership style is defined by a commitment to transparency and accountability, particularly in the realm of programmatic advertising, where he emphasizes metrics like attention to elevate performance.
Throughout his tenure, Grumet has successfully managed integrated media teams, leveraging his expertise across digital services like search, paid social, and analytics. His work at AMP Agency includes significant achievements, such as spearheading the merger of five agencies to create a unified force in the industry. This move not only expanded the agency’s capabilities but also reinforced its competitive edge in the mid-market space, positioning AMP against both large holding companies and other independent agencies.
Before his role at AMP, Grumet’s background spans leadership positions at renowned firms like Digitas, Carat, and Fidelity Investments, where he managed multi-million-dollar campaigns and crafted global media strategies for high-profile clients. His diverse skill set ranges from media planning to brand strategy, helping clients navigate the ever-changing digital landscape with innovative solutions.
Grumet’s strategic vision and deep industry knowledge have cemented his reputation as one of the leading figures in the digital marketing space. Under his leadership, AMP Agency continues to set new standards for excellence in media and analytics, making a significant impact on clients’ growth and success.
Chicago CEOs Leading the Charge in Digital Marketing Innovation
In 2023, Chicago proved once again that it’s a global hub for creativity and innovation, not only in architecture and music but also in the digital marketing world. The visionary CEOs of Chicago-based digital marketing firms are shaping the future of the industry with their bold strategies and groundbreaking campaigns.
From scaling businesses to revolutionizing consumer behavior, these leaders are defining what’s next in digital marketing. With their expertise, these CEOs are elevating Chicago’s reputation as a forward-thinking digital marketing powerhouse, proving that the city’s influence goes far beyond its iconic skyline.
