# Michael Zacharski

> Michael Zacharski is a strategic technology executive with more than 20 years in programmatic advertising and consumer AI. He is Interim CEO of Decide (formerly LockerDome) in St. Louis, following a career that includes CEO roles at EMX Digital / ENGINE Media Exchange, bRealTime, Balihoo, and Brand Engagement Network (Nasdaq: BNAI), plus advisory work through his own firm M2M5 Co and Progress Partners.

- **Role:** Interim Chief Executive Officer at Decide (formerly LockerDome)
- **Organizations:** Decide (formerly LockerDome), M2M5 Co, Progress Partners, IAB Tech Lab, Brand Engagement Network (BNAI), EMX Digital / ENGINE Media Exchange, Big Village (formerly ENGINE Group), Balihoo Inc., bRealTime, Digital Remedy, CPXi
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree, New York University
- **Known for:** Took Brand Engagement Network public on Nasdaq via business combination with DHC Acquisition Corp. (March 2024), Led EMX Digital as CEO within Big Village / ENGINE Group, Two successful startup exits in entertainment and music

## Career timeline

- **early career** — Rose from Vice President to Chief Operating Officer at CPXi, leading business and product development
- **later** — Served as COO at Digital Remedy
- **2016-2018** — CEO of bRealTime, building an automated global exchange for demand- and supply-side partners
- **2018** — bRealTime acquired by Engine Group; became CEO of EMX Digital (ENGINE Media Exchange) and led Engine's Technology practice
- **later** — Served as CEO of Balihoo Inc., another Big Village subsidiary
- **2023** — Announced business combination between BEN (Brand Engagement Network) and DHC Acquisition Corp.
- **2024-03** — Brand Engagement Network began trading on Nasdaq under BNAI following combination with DHC; Zacharski served as CEO
- **2024-08** — Stepped down as Co-CEO of BEN as Paul Chang was promoted to CEO
- **current** — Interim CEO at Decide (formerly LockerDome); also CEO & Lead Consultant at M2M5 Co, Executive in Residence at Progress Partners, board member at IAB Tech Lab

## Achievements

- Took Brand Engagement Network public on Nasdaq via business combination with DHC Acquisition Corp. (March 2024)
- Led EMX Digital as CEO within Big Village / ENGINE Group
- Two successful startup exits in entertainment and music
- Board service with IAB Tech Lab
- Published on programmatic auction mechanics, mobile advertising standards, and AI integration in adtech

## Latest updates

- **2026** — Serving as Interim CEO of Decide (formerly LockerDome) in St. Louis
- **2024-08** — Stepped down as Co-CEO of Brand Engagement Network after Paul Chang's promotion
- **2024-03** — BEN began trading on Nasdaq as BNAI

## Links

- Website: https://decide.co
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzacharski
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mikezacharski

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-zacharski
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-09