VaynerMedia Appoints Eric Jacobs as Agency's First Chief Innovation Officer

VaynerMedia has appointed Eric Jacobs as the agency’s first chief innovation officer. In this role, Eric will spearhead VaynerMedia’s Innovation and Technology services and will help further the agency within the future-facing side of advertising and marketing. Eric was most recently senior vice president of business development at payment platforms company Adyen. He will report to CEO Gary Vaynerchuk and will assume his role with immediate effect. 

“While searching for our first chief innovation officer, it was important to bring in someone who can apply the very latest thinking in the innovation landscape to our clients,” said Gary. “After meeting with Eric, it was evident that he was the right person for this role. As someone who thinks outside the box and is truly passionate about building brands in culture, Eric has an enormous amount of knowledge in this space while also capturing the qualities of being an impeccable leader. I'm excited to have Eric on board.”

eric joins VaynerMedia with over 15 years’ experience in a career spanning media, entertainment, finance and technology. In his four-plus years at Adyen, Eric focused on the company’s strategic expansion into new key verticals, including retail, platforms/marketplaces and quick service restaurants working with merchants including Tiffany & Co., Instacart and Burger King. 

During his tenure, Eric helped Adyen grow from a startup to one of the world’s leading FinTech companies. Passionate about Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, he also started and led global DEI efforts across the company.

"I am thrilled to be joining VaynerMedia as the agency’s first chief innovation officer,” said Eric.“VaynerMedia has its finger on the pulse of culture, and understands how to build brands that are relevant for the now. I’m looking forward to building out our innovation offerings to transform our clients’ businesses, in ways within advertising and beyond.”

Eric is the latest senior hire at VaynerMedia as the agency bolsters its leadership team. Gabriela Fenton was appointed managing director of the recently launched VaynerMedia LatAm office in May, and Lisa Buckley was promoted to managing director of VaynerMedia Los Angeles last month.