Ian Schafer

Deep Focus

Ian Schafer, CEO and Founder of Deep Focus, is one of advertising’s most influential voices in interactive marketing and social media and strives to not just bring consumers closer to brands, but closer to each other. Prior to founding Deep Focus, Ian was VP of the New Media division of Miramax Films.

Deep Focus, OMMA Magazine's 2007 Media Planning & Buying Agency of the Year and winner of a 2007 Cannes Promo Lion, is an experience- and engagement-driven, thought-leading interactive marketing firm that boasts a client roster that includes some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, lifestyle and CPG brands such as HBO, AMC, ESPN, Microsoft, Weight Watchers, Bulgari, Diageo, Havaianas, and Nike.

Under Ian’s guidance, Deep Focus has become renowned for its expertise and excellence at using digital media, technology, creative, and communications strategies to create engaging, value-driven experiences that get people talking. The Emmy®-nominated firm has been responsible for many memorable, award-winning efforts over the years including 2009’s MadMenYourself.com, and was the recipient of two 2009 Webby Awards for HBO’s Flight of the Conchords Lip Dub.

Named a ‘Media Maven’ by Advertising Age (where he is also a featured columnist and blogger) and one of Adweek’s “Young Ones”, Ian is considered by many as one of the foremost experts in interactive and social media marketing, and has been featured in Wired, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Adweek, Advertising Age, USA Today, New York Magazine, Variety, CNN, Fortune and The Hollywood Reporter.

An avid technologist, Ian blogs at ianschafer.com and can be followed on Twitter at @ischafer.