Chief Strategy Officer at Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg
Berens is known for translating complex digital and AdTech trends into clear, strategic frameworks for marketers and media companies, and for his long tenure as an editorial and intellectual voice at iMedia Connection and USC Annenberg.
Last updated Feb 27, 2026 by AI Enrichment
Brad Berens is a veteran digital strategist and thought leader best known for bridging the gap between complex digital and advertising technology trends and practical business strategy. As Chief Strategy Officer at the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg, he conducts research and publishes analysis on how digital transformation reshapes media, marketing, and consumer behavior — giving brands, agencies, and platforms an academic yet actionable lens on industry change. Berens built his reputation across more than two decades working at the intersection of content, strategy, and advertising technology. He served as Chief Content Officer at iMedia Connection, a leading trade publication for digital marketing professionals, where he shaped editorial direction and became a recognized voice in the AdTech community. He also held senior strategy roles at major agency networks including Dentsu and Razorfish, advising brands on digital transformation, media strategy, and emerging technology adoption. Known for his ability to synthesize research into compelling narratives, Berens is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a prolific writer on topics ranging from programmatic advertising and identity to the future of commerce and media. His dual background in agency practice and academic research makes him a distinctive figure in AdTech — equally comfortable advising a CMO or presenting findings at a scholarly symposium.
iMedia Connection (approx. 2008-2016)
Razorfish
Dentsu