Rakuten Marketing Appoints Tony Zito CEO

NEW YORK, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Marketing, the global leader in omnichannel marketing and a division of Rakuten, Inc., today announced the appointment of Tony Zito to Chief Executive Officer, overseeing its business in the Americas, Europe and Australia. The news comes at a significant time for Rakuten Marketing, which has quickly become one of Rakuten's fastest-growing businesses outside of Japan.

"I'm excited for the opportunity that lies ahead for Rakuten Marketing. We're extremely passionate about our vision of re-inventing omnichannel marketing to create what we've coined the omni-experience – a marketing solution and offering that puts the consumer at the center," says Zito. "Having already delivered on the groundwork of this vision by integrating our channels, technology and teams, I sincerely believe that what we're doing can change an industry, and I'm excited to be on the team that does it."

Rakuten Marketing has thrived under Zito's stewardship. First joining as Chief Revenue Officer, a role he assumed shortly following Rakuten's acquisition of his display company, mediaFORGE in 2012, Zito led Rakuten Marketing as it experienced 67 percent growth over the last two years and integrated its four online marketing businesses in 2014. Zito's trajectory at Rakuten exemplifies the company's corporate mission of empowerment for the businesses and people behind them that drive the industry forward.

"Tony's entrepreneurial spirit and bold vision have been instrumental to Rakuten Marketing's ascent as a rising star within Rakuten's global organization," said Yaz Iida, President, Rakuten USA, who oversees all of the company's U.S.-based businesses. "His new role is a testament to our confidence in his ability to build this business and lead the global market in consumer-centric omnichannel marketing."

Part of one of the largest internet services companies in the world, Rakuten, Inc., Rakuten Marketing, LLC. has a team of more than 600 people, with locations in eight cities across the Americas, Europe and Australia.  Since Zito joined, his leadership was a catalyst in the development and vision of Rakuten Marketing, the formation of which unified its core services to deliver cross-channel data transparency and better marketing performance – Rakuten Affiliate Network (formerly LinkShare), Rakuten Attribution (formerly DC Storm), Rakuten Display (formerly MediaForge), and Rakuten Search.

With these synergies, Rakuten Marketing has become one of the fastest growing businesses for Rakuten, outside of its Japan headquarters, including:

• A 67 percent growth over the last two years
• Nearly 250 new people to the company in 2014
• 1,000 new advertisers in 2014

Learn more about Rakuten Marketing at www.rakutenmarketing.com. 

About Rakuten Marketing
Rakuten Marketing is the global leader in omnichannel marketing and driving the omni experience. Offering an integrated strategy that combines consumer centric insights with e-commerce expertise, Rakuten Marketing aims to inspire better marketing. Rakuten Marketing's omnichannel services include Rakuten Affiliate Network (formerly Rakuten LinkShare), the number one ranked affiliate marketing service, creating profitable and innovative partnerships; Rakuten Display (formerly MediaForge), enabling one-to-one marketing across devices through precise targeting, custom dynamic creative, and engagement measurement; Rakuten Attribution (formerly DC Storm), measurement and attribution solutions that allow marketers to uncover the true performance of their campaigns with an unbiased, transparent view into each media channel; and Rakuten Search, a full service paid search agency that specializes in boosting sales and brand authority across devices.

Operating as a division of Rakuten, Inc. (4755: TOKYO), one of the world's leading Internet service companies, Rakuten Marketing is headquartered in the U.S., with additional offices in Australia, Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom. Follow us on Twitter or learn more at http://www.rakutenmarketing.com.

All trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Jessica Joines, CMO of Rakuten Marketing, 646-581-3202, [email protected]

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SOURCE Rakuten Marketing

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