Media-Agency Veteran Bob Bernstein Joins MERGE as EVP, Media Director

MERGE—a full-service advertising, marketing and media network formed this year when five independent agencies, from three different cities, joined in partnership under the MERGE name—has hired Bob Bernstein as EVP, media director.

Bernstein, who has sharp digital media, data analytics and non-traditional media expertise, joins MERGE from the Chicago office of Epsilon where he was SVP, director of media and performance marketing.

Before Epsilon, Bernstein worked at Centro, a digital-technology firm, where he connected paid search, display, social, mobile, programmatic and online video inventory to a range of agencies and clients.

His media-agency experience spans nearly three decades and includes running the media department for eleven years at FCB Chicago. Under his leadership, the department grew from 20 people to more than 100. While at FCB, Bernstein was recognized by Ad Age, as a Media Maven among the top media thinkers in the U.S. market.

During his career, Bernstein has worked on many blue-chip brands including Coors Light, Frito Lay, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Boeing, Kraft, and McDonald's.

“We’re excited to have Bob join our team at this point in our new agency’s trajectory,” said Ron Bess, CEO of MERGE. “His talent, knowledge and deep experience will help take us to the next level of media thinking for our clients.”

A former adjunct professor at the University of Chicago where he taught contemporary media for five years, Bernstein was also a 10-year board member of the National Sports Marketing Network.