# Tal Hayek

> Tal Hayek is the Toronto-based co-founder and CEO of illumin, the advertising technology company founded as AcuityAds in 2009. He previously founded IncentAclick, led AcuityAds through its public-market expansion and the launch of its visual journey-advertising platform, and returned as CEO in April 2026 after serving as non-executive vice chairman.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at illumin
- **Organizations:** illumin Holdings Inc. (formerly AcuityAds Holdings Inc.), IncentAclick
- **Education:** York University
- **Known for:** Founded and sold an advertising technology business before co-founding AcuityAds., Co-led AcuityAds through its 2014 public listing and international expansion., Led the company during the development and launch of illumin in 2020.

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Founded IncentAclick, an advertising technology business focused on lead generation and customer acquisition.
- **2006** — His earlier advertising business was acquired by a public company; he stayed for two years.
- **2009** — Co-founded AcuityAds with Nathan Mekuz, Rachel Kapcan and Joe Ontman; became CEO.
- **2014** — Led AcuityAds into the Canadian public markets.
- **2016** — AcuityAds acquired social-data advertising company 140 Proof.
- **2020** — AcuityAds launched the illumin journey-advertising platform on October 1.
- **2023** — Led the AcuityAds rebrand to illumin and announced a planned CEO succession.
- **2024** — Simon Cairns became CEO on April 15; Hayek transitioned to non-executive vice chairman.
- **2026** — Reappointed CEO effective April 7 following Cairns’s departure.

## Achievements

- Founded and sold an advertising technology business before co-founding AcuityAds.
- Co-led AcuityAds through its 2014 public listing and international expansion.
- Led the company during the development and launch of illumin in 2020.
- AcuityAds won Cantech Letter’s 2016 TSXV Canadian Tech Stock of the Year award, presented in January 2017.
- Led the company when it passed C$100 million in trailing twelve-month revenue in 2019.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — illumin announced that Hayek and interim CFO Michael Amaro would discuss Q3 results on November 5, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
- **2026-08** — illumin reported Q2 revenue of C$50.2 million, up 52% year over year, and a gross margin of 35%; Hayek remained CEO.
- **2026-04** — Hayek returned as CEO effective April 7.

## Links

- Website: https://illumin.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-hayek-a299b55

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tal-hayek
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21