# Ross Shelleman

> Ross Shelleman is the Chicago-based founder and agency executive who co-founded Target Data in 2007, built it through a data-led marketing thesis and acquisitions, and now serves as chief executive officer of Manifest. After Aisle Rocket acquired Manifest in 2024, the businesses combined under the Manifest name in 2025 around a practical argument: brand and performance work better when an agency takes responsibility for the customer journey between them.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Manifest
- **Organizations:** Manifest, Aisle Rocket, ARS Advertising, Target Data, Economic Club of Chicago, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
- **Education:** B.A., Franklin & Marshall College
- **Known for:** Co-founded Target Data in 2007 and led its development as a data-driven marketing business., Expanded Target Data’s capabilities through acquisitions, including Social Fulcrum in 2019., Led the 2024 acquisition of Manifest and became CEO of the unified Manifest brand in 2025.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Worked in technology consulting and later held leadership and senior business-development roles in managed services, including Aramark Corporation and GCA Services Group.
- **2007** — Co-founded Target Data, a Chicago data-driven marketing company, and served as president and CEO.
- **2012** — Published a Fast Company essay arguing that startups should hire experienced leaders, maintain disciplined back offices, protect personal balance and participate in their civic communities.
- **2015** — Joined the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders class.
- **2019** — Led Target Data’s acquisition of paid-social specialist Social Fulcrum as part of a strategy to add focused capabilities and clients.
- **2020-2021** — Published Forbes Agency Council articles on customer-data platforms, tracking cookies, platform diversification and agile agency work.
- **2024** — As group CEO of ARS Advertising, completed the acquisition of Manifest; the business initially retained its own brand and leadership.
- **2025** — Became CEO of the unified Manifest after Manifest and Aisle Rocket merged under a single name.
- **2026** — Continued to argue publicly for connecting creative work to revenue and for treating brand and performance as complementary disciplines.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Target Data in 2007 and led its development as a data-driven marketing business.
- Expanded Target Data’s capabilities through acquisitions, including Social Fulcrum in 2019.
- Led the 2024 acquisition of Manifest and became CEO of the unified Manifest brand in 2025.
- Graduated from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program.
- Published leadership and marketing commentary in Fast Company and through Forbes Agency Council.
- Served in Chicago arts and civic organizations, including board or director roles associated publicly with The Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Published a LinkedIn argument that agency creativity should be discussed in terms of business goals and revenue, not as work detached from commercial outcomes.
- **2026-05** — Shared Manifest’s Travelpro 'Made to Move' campaign and credited the agency team and client partnership.
- **2025-12** — Discussed Manifest’s post-merger strategy with the leadership team, emphasizing the tension between brand and performance, direct client contact and AI as an accelerator.
- **2025-10** — Manifest and Aisle Rocket formally merged under the Manifest name, with Shelleman named chief executive officer.
- **2024-03** — ARS Advertising completed its acquisition of Manifest, beginning the integration that culminated in the unified agency.

## Links

- Website: https://manifest.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-shelleman-abbb80
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/manifestdigital
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ManifestDigital/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ross-shelleman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-24