Anthony Citrano
 
 

“The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you.”

[David Foster Wallace]

 
 
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Nice to meet you.

Hi – I’m Anthony. I’m a tech entrepreneur (founder of Acquicent), angel investor, and occasional photographer living the dream in Los Angeles. If you want to know the whole story, scroll on.

 
 
 

“On the other side of every fear is freedom.”

MARILYN FERGUSON

 
 
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The Whole Dang Story

While studying political science, religion and philosophy at the University of Southern Maine, I authored a thesis on the societal impacts of networked technology. Later that year, I published The Virtual Journal, the world’s first web magazine – and with it, selling the first web ads (to Hayes and Mitsubishi).

After that, I served as chief technology advisor to Maine Governor Angus King [now US Senator], helping Maine set an early example of responsive, secure online government. Governor King appointed me to the blue-ribbon United States Highway One Advisory Commission, where I served with Senate and Congressional leaders to address issues ranging from broadband access to cybersecurity.

I was an early team member of Pop!Tech, the world’s preeminent conference about the intersection of technology and culture, and chaired the conference for three years.

I started BrainPaste.com, the company that invented dynamic customer acquisition. Industry guru Don Tapscott said BrainPaste posed “a new challenge to the old order” and USA Today said it “uncorks an idea that can never be put back in the bottle.” This once-radical e-commerce method now facilitates billions of dollars in online commerce each year. BrainPaste was acquired by Internet entertainment network R3Media, and I became their chief communications officer.

A year later, I teamed up with PR pros and started fama PR, a Boston-based brand communications agency. Over the next few years, we built the agency into one of the leading independent PR firms in the US. I departed fama PR in 2006, embarked on a year-long globe-wandering sabbatical, and then relocated to coastal Los Angeles, where I consulted for organizations on strategy, communications, and business development.

I served on the Finance Committee of Obama for America. This was my third engagement with a major political campaign, having worked for Bill Clinton as his state student coordinator, and on Angus King’s successful bid to become the nation’s only independent Governor (he’s now the nation’s only independent Senator).

I helped launch EdgeCast Networks out of stealth mode and served as its communications and marketing lead until the company was acquired by Verizon for $400M in 2013. Prior to Verizon’s acquisition, we carried almost ten percent of the world’s Internet traffic and our 5,000 customers included the web’s busiest sites such as Twitter, Tumblr, Yahoo, Wordpress, Etsy, Pinterest, and Disney-ABC.

Following Verizon’s acquisition of EdgeCast, I became chief evangelist and VP communications of Verizon’s digital unit, a position I held until I left Verizon in 2015.

I’m an active angel investor, with investments in companies including HER, Roomi, Clearbit (acquired by Salesforce), hiku, Plum, Scout, Sellbrite (acquired by GoDaddy), and Barricade (acquired by Sophos).

Over the years, I have consulted for dozens of corporations, elected officials, non-profits, and law enforcement agencies on issues ranging from communications to cybersecurity to drug policy.

I am founder and CEO of Acquicent, a company that fractionalizes collectible assets such as classic cars and fine art.

I am also a frequent commentator on American culture, regularly pontificating in and contributing to media outlets including The Huffington PostMoney, Consumerist, the New York TimesInvestor’s Business Daily, the Wall Street Journal, and WIRED.

Last but not least, I am an occasional photographer. My photography has earned more than 100 print credits ranging from TIME and the Wall Street Journal to niche fashion magazines you’ve never heard of.

I live in Venice, California. Come visit!

 
 
 

WANT TO TALK?

Find Me Elsewhere:

 
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