Global digital agency Mirum hired Bret Otzenberger as chief technology officer, North America. In the role, Otzenberger will be leading Mirum’s North American technology team and shaping the agency’s technology delivery model out of its Minneapolis headquarters, while reporting to global chief technology officer Matt Webb.
The news follows the December 2015 resignation of Chuck Phillips, who had been CTO at Digitaria before the J. Walter Thompson organization consolidated its various digital properties to form Mirum last January.
“Bret is a rock star technologist and self-proclaimed geek at heart,” Webb said in a statement. “With his deep expertise, creativity and passion, he will develop innovative technology solutions for Mirum clients, and deepen our technology practice in North America. He joins a seasoned team that he will no doubt lead to even greater accomplishments.”
Otzenberger arrives at Mirum from Minneapolis agency Olson (which rebranded as ICF Olson in March), where he served as senior vice president, technology, leading delivery teams for both Sitecore and Open Source development. Prior to Olson he spent nearly two years as vice president of engineering for Mirum (then known as Digitaria), leading the agency’s technology practice from its Minneapolis office and building its Adobe practice. That followed over two and a half years leading the technology team at JWT’s Minneapolis office as director of technology.
“With Mirum’s focus on innovation and business transformation, we have been looking for a North American CTO who can lead us to make what’s next. Bret is the ideal person to take this on,” said Mirum global and North American CEO Dan Khabie. “I am thrilled to welcome him back to Mirum as we continue to bolster our North American leadership.”
“I believe agencies must stay ahead of the technological curve, and create innovative solutions that have never been implemented before,” added Otzenberger. “I’m excited to return to Mirum at a time when the agency is strengthening its leadership and its momentum in the digital space. We’re poised to deliver the best creative solutions possible with technology-enabling, seamless user interactions.”