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Ed Mitzen

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Ed Mitzen
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Business executive, philanthropist
Known forFingerpaint Marketing, Business for Good
SpouseLisa Mitzen
Website

Ed Mitzen is an American entrepreneur, business executive and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Fingerpaint Marketing, and also the co-founder of the non-profit organization Business for Good.[1] Prior to founding Fingerpaint, Mitzen co-founded the ad agency Palio, which was sold to inVentiv Health in 2006.[2]

Early life and education

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Mitzen grew up in Voorheesville, New York.[3] He attended Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology. Mitzen also attended the University of Rochester's Simon Business School where he earned a Master of Business Administration.[4]

Career

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Mitzen worked as a pharmaceutical representative and served as the vice president of product management at Cardinal Health, before founding the consulting business, Creative Healthcare Solutions, in 1997.[5][6] In 1999, he founded the advertising agency Palio in Saratoga Springs, New York. After selling the company to inVentiv Health in 2006, Mitzen served in various roles until leaving to found the advertising and marketing firm Fingerpaint in 2008.[7][8] As of 2022, Fingerpaint has more than 700 employees with locations in Albany, New York, Columbus, Ohio, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, and Scottsdale, Arizona.[9] Fingerpaint's notable clients include DreamWorks, General Electric, Emma Willard School, Celgene and Ferring Pharmaceuticals, amongst others.[10]

In 2021, Mitzen and his wife personally donated $4 million to pay down the student loan debt of all Fingerpaint employees, eliminating 83 of 131 people's loans.[11] After purchasing the University Club of Albany building in 2022, Mitzen donated use of the building to the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, which opened its doors in February 2023.[12]

Business for Good

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In October 2020, Mitzen co-founded The Business for Good Foundation with his wife Lisa.[13] The 50(c)(3) non-profit operates multiple businesses in the Greater Capital Region that offer living wages and healthcare benefits to employees, and donates all profits back to local charitable causes.[14] The foundation also assists organizations like Shelters of Saratoga to help provide affordable living to low-income residents.[15]

In 2021, Business for Good donated $5.4 million to 25 local non-profit organizations.[16] The foundation also provides support and financial assistance to entrepreneurs starting businesses, and development support for existing, growing businesses.[17][18]

In 2022, Business For Good received an honorable mention in Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Awards.[19] In May 2022, the foundation donated $1 million to the three known living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.[20]

Personal life

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Mitzen and his wife, Lisa, reside in Saratoga Springs.[21] The couple has donated to Code Blue, a program designed to house homeless during the winter, since 2012. In 2017, they donated funds to build a 6,500-square foot homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs.[22]

From 2015 to 2020, Mitzen served on the board of directors for Double H Ranch, and was elected to Syracuse University's board of trustees in May 2022.[23][24] He previously served on the board or directors for The Hyde Collection, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Union Graduate College, the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, and the Saratoga Care Foundation.[25]

Published works

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  • More Than A Number: The Power of Empathy and Philanthropy in Driving Ad Agency Performance (2020)[26]
  • Wealthy and White: Why Guys Like Me Have to Show Up, Step Up, and Give Others a Hand Up (2023)[27]

Awards and honors

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2016 - Med Ad News Manny Awards Industry Person of the Year[28]

2017 - Digiday Boss of the Year Award[29]

2018 - Saratoga Living Person of the Year[30]

2021 - Saratoga Bridges Community Builders Award[31]

2022 - Siena College Civitella Community Impact Award[32]

2022 - Capital Region Chamber Changemakers Award[33]

References

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  1. ^ Chavez, Nicole (19 May 2022). "Three survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre receive $1 million donation". CNN. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  2. ^ Seckinger, Kate (February 20, 2016). "Ad Agency Palio Leaving Saratoga Springs". The Daily Gazette.
  3. ^ Zax, David (March 23, 2015). "Owning a Racehorse Is Not Just An Expensive Hobby (Although, It's Also That)". Fast Company.
  4. ^ Mason, Justin (February 22, 2015). "Fingerpaint Founder Recounts Road to Success". The Daily Gazette.
  5. ^ "At Work With: Ed Mitzen". MM&M. February 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "Industry Person of the Year: Ed Mitzen". PharmaLive. April 25, 2016.
  7. ^ Rogers, Megan (November 18, 2014). "How Ed Mitzen Added Lionsgate and Kimpton Hotels to Fingerpaint's Client Roster". Albany Business Review.
  8. ^ Older, Patricia (July 25, 2013). "The Man Behind the Marketing: The Story of Fingerpaint". Saratoga Today.
  9. ^ Iskowitz, Marc (7 June 2022). "Agency 100 2022: Fingerpaint". MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  10. ^ Hornbeck, Leigh (April 14, 2016). "Fingerpaint Marketing Wins Saratoga Springs Gamble". TimesUnion.
  11. ^ Faw, Larissa (July 9, 2021). "Agency Founder Donates $4 Million to Pay Staff Student Loan Debt". Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  12. ^ Vielkind, Jimmy (2024-01-25). "How Black Businesses in New York Are Trying to Close the Black-White Wealth Gap". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  13. ^ "Mitzens Create 'Business For Good Foundation' To Help In Funding Charitable Organizations". Saratoga Business Journal. 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  14. ^ Levith, Will (8 July 2021). "Ed and Lisa Mitzen Form Business for Good, Acquire Hattie's Restaurant (Updated)". Saratoga Living. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  15. ^ Levith, Will (18 August 2021). "Business for Good Foundation Donates Long-Term Use of 1 Franklin Square to Shelters of Saratoga". Saratoga Living. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  16. ^ Woodworth, Gordon (2021-11-08). "$500K grant for Open Door Mission". Foothills Business Daily. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  17. ^ Hornbeck, Leigh (2021-07-13). "Ed and Lisa Mitzen launch Business for Good". Times Union. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  18. ^ "Business for Good Foundation shares vision of business reimagined". Saratogian. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  19. ^ "Social benefit and financial return don't have to be exclusive. These 20 impact investing projects are proof". Fast Company. 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  20. ^ Albeck-Ripka, Livia (2022-05-20). "3 Tulsa Massacre Survivors Receive $1 Million Donation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  21. ^ "NENY Chapter Announces 2016 Fire and Ice Honorees". American Red Cross. March 14, 2016.
  22. ^ Cooper, Robin (February 15, 2017). "Founder of Fingerpaint, Palio Will Build Homeless Shelter in Saratoga Springs". Albany Business Review.
  23. ^ "5 New Members Elected to University's Board of Trustees | Syracuse University News". Syracuse University News. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  24. ^ Weinhagen, Harry (2015-11-11). "Four Elected Officers Of Double H Ranch Board Of Directors, Headed By Vincent Riggi". Glens Falls Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  25. ^ Hartsock, Linda Dickerson (2016-11-10). "Ed Mitzen '89 combines entrepreneurship and civic impact. Hear his story as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week". Blackstone LaunchPad. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  26. ^ "Philanthropy that Empowers Students to Succeed in STEM | Syracuse University News". news.syr.edu. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  27. ^ Shellow-Lavine, Aaron (2023-07-05). "Saratoga Springs-based philanthropist Ed Mitzen publishes book on Business for Good organization". WAMC. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  28. ^ MarketScreener (2016-04-25). "Fingerpaint : Founder Ed Mitzen Named Industry Person of the Year at 2016 Med Ad News Manny Awards - 2016-04-25 | MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  29. ^ "Mindshare, Bleacher Report, AdColony execs and more win this year's Digiday Top Boss awards". Digiday. 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  30. ^ Sessums, Kevin (13 December 2018). "2018 Person Of The Year: Ed Mitzen, Founder And Owner Of Fingerpaint". Saratoga Living. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  31. ^ "Saratoga Bridges raises record $125,000 at 'The White Party with a Splash of Color'". Saratogian. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  32. ^ "Siena College Announces Entrepreneurial Awards". Capital Region Chamber. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  33. ^ "READER'S VIEW: Ed and Lisa Mitzen recognized for philanthropy at Capital Region Chamber Dinner". Saratogian. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
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