Mike DiFranza is the president and founder of Captivate Network. As a pioneer in the out-of-home video advertising market, Mike identified the shifting media consumption habits of consumers and the growing need for marketers to reach these consumers their daily lives -- thus, Captivate was born.

Mike set out to change the way consumers interact with media, giving advertisers a new medium to reach this highly sought-after target audience. By leveraging more than 20 years of media, marketing and sales experience, Mike pioneered his vision into reality.

As an advertising industry thought leader, Mike has guided the overall development and evolution of the explosive out-of-home video advertising market. Mike led Captivate through rapid growth and expansion, as well as the successful acquisition by media powerhouse Gannett Co. Inc. Under his leadership, Captivate is known today for delivering exceptional value to our viewers and advertisers, as well as our programming and real estate partners.

Prior to founding Captivate, Mike was director for the Eastern US, Canadian and Latin American business units for Mentor Graphics. He supported the development of underlying technology for the media and telecommunications industries. Mike also held various positions with Metheus Corp. and GCA Corp.

In recognition of Mike's accomplishments and leadership in the media industry, Captivate received the SBANE Innovation Award and the MIMC Leadership Award; and Mike was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards twice. Boston Business Forward also named him to its 'Forward 40.'

Mike's views on the media industry have been shared on national news programs, including Captivate content partner CNN, Marketwatch and MSNBC's 'The News with Brian Williams.' Additionally, Mike is a recognized expert in the media industry and has spoken at events such as the Canadian Digital Signage Summit, Strategic Research Institute's Marketing to the Mass Affluent, Forecast 2006, Maximizing Media Conference (Toronto), The Advertising Research Foundation's Advertising: What's Next? Conference, Deutsche Bank Media Conference, MIT Enterprise Forum, and SBANE (Smaller Business Association of New England) Awards Ceremony.

Mike also is chairman of DPAA.

Mike holds a BS in engineering and computer science from Northeastern University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Program for Management Development.