Jared Belsky — CEO & Co-Founder at Acadia

Jared Belsky serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Acadia, an independent digital marketing and performance agency he co-founded. Belsky, a well-known figure in the advertising industry, previously served as President of 360i, one of the most respected digital agencies in the United States, where he spent over a decade building its reputation for data-driven marketing and digital excellence. His recognition as Ad Age's 2025 Agency Executive of the Year underscores both his personal leadership achievements and the rapid rise of Acadia as a competitive force in the independent agency landscape. Acadia was founded with a focus on performance marketing, combining media buying, analytics, and creative services for mid-to-large brand clients. Under Belsky's leadership, the agency has positioned itself as a modern alternative to holding company agencies, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and measurable business outcomes. The Ad Age recognition highlights Acadia's growth trajectory and its ability to attract and retain significant client relationships in a competitive market. This recognition is significant in the AdTech and agency ecosystem as it validates the ongoing trend of experienced agency executives leaving large holding company networks to build independent, performance-focused shops. Belsky's profile and Acadia's ascent reflect broader industry dynamics where brands are increasingly seeking agile, transparent agency partners over traditional large-network incumbents.

Belsky's continued leadership at Acadia and his industry recognition as Ad Age's 2025 Agency Executive of the Year signals growing momentum for independent performance agencies challenging the dominance of holding company networks like WPP, Publicis, Omnicom, and IPG. This reinforces a broader market trend where senior talent is migrating away from large conglomerates to build leaner, more accountable independent shops that can offer clients greater transparency in media spend and data usage. For the AdTech ecosystem, Acadia's growth represents increased demand for performance-oriented technology stacks, clean room solutions, and retail media capabilities that independent agencies can deploy without the bureaucratic overhead of holding companies. Competitors such as Tinuiti, Wpromote, and Jellyfish operate in a similar space and will feel competitive pressure as Acadia's brand recognition grows. The recognition also highlights that the independent agency model is maturing and gaining credibility with major brand advertisers, which could accelerate client reviews and account shifts away from traditional agency networks.