Studio71 Alum Joseph Marchese Joins Bent Pixels as Head of Creator Strategy and Business
Studio71 Alum Joseph Marchese Joins Bent Pixels as Head of Creator Strategy and Business
Sep 2, 2026 5:05am PT
Studio71 Alum Joseph Marchese Joins Bent Pixels as Head of Creator Strategy and Business
By William Earl
Plus Icon
William Earl
Latest
Courtesy of Bent Pixels
Joseph Marchese has joined creator network Bent Pixels as executive VP of creator strategy and business as the firm revs up its portfolio of support services offered to attention-economy clients.
Marchese spent the past 12 years as a senior executive at Studio71, another creator media firm that handled distribution and advertising sales representation for a range of digital-native stars. Los Angeles-based Bent Pixels is a pioneering digital media firm that has been active in the sector since its launch in 2009.
Related Stories
Sharon Horgan Seeks 'Fun, Lightly Degrading Sex' as a 50-Year-Old Divorcee in Trailer for HBO's 'Youth'
Bill Maher Puts Hunter Biden in the Hot Seat: ‘I’ve Seen You With Your Dick Out’
“Creator media has become one of the most powerful ways for brands to reach consumers because it puts their message inside programming that audiences are already choosing to watch,” said Mike Pusateri, Bent Pixels’ founder and CEO. “The opportunity is not simply about putting an ad in front of millions of people; it’s about connecting brands with the right audiences through creators and content that are strategically aligned with their message. Joe understands that ecosystem from the inside out. We’re excited to have him not only build on our already strong portfolio of creators, but also expand the business opportunities we can bring to those creators and our brand partners.”
Popular on Variety
Marchese hire reflects the company’s push to beef up its creator business. In March, Bent Pixels acquired Sunny State Agency, a creator services firm that brought a valuable scaled short-form distribution platform. The enlarged Bent Pixels now represents more than 850 creators who have cross-platform reach across YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. The company reports 50.2 million monthly unique visitors across its social footprint and 1.2 billion minutes of content viewed on connected TV free streaming platforms.
“I’m thrilled to join Bent Pixels at a pivotal moment for the creator economy,” Marchese said. “I have tremendous respect for Michael and what he has built, as well as his continued commitment to innovation. Bent Pixels has established an impressive foundation, and I see a significant opportunity to build on its reputation, capabilities, and vision to shape what’s next for creators, agencies, and brands. I’m excited to help forge partnerships that create lasting value, strengthen trust, and move the entire creator ecosystem forward.”
Marchese joined Studio71 in 2014 and rose through the ranks in partner relations and talent posts to executive VP. Studio71 was recently acquired by rival digital media firm Fixated.
‘Our Share of Sand’ Review: A Brooding Indian Social Drama Told Through the Eyes of a Young Girl
‘From Inside Out – The Architecture of Peter Zumthor’ Review: Wim Wenders’ Latest 3D Documentary Is an Architectural Marvel
‘Al Baraneya’ Review: Cinema Verité Doesn’t Get More Naturalistic Than Egyptian Director Ashgan El-Hamus’ Impressive Debut
‘It Will Happen Tonight’ Review: Louis Garrel and Jasmine Trinca Follow Each Other Through the Years In a Light and Predictable Romcom
‘Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes’ Review: The Legendary Rocker Gets a Lively Doc That Asks: Who Are You? And Then Doesn’t Fully Answer It
‘The Idiot(s)’ Review: Dostoevsky Is an Endearing Drunken Fool in This Rambunctious, Tonally Off-Kilter Two-Hander
Loading comments...
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
0 CommentsComments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Name *
Email *
Website
Δ
More From Our Brands
- Rolling Stone\
See Slipknot’s Spooky Video for ‘Arsenal,’ Their First Song Since Sid Wilson Departure\
\
- Robb Report\
Apple Just Unveiled Its First Foldable iPhone. Here’s Everything You Need to Know.\
\
- Sportico\
LIV Golf Secures Initial Court Approval as Bankruptcy Case Begins\
\
ad
PMC
Variety is a part of PMX Global, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Variety Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC.
Our Sites