MERGE, a leading marketing and technology agency specializing in the intersection of health and wellness, has announced the appointment of Cait Vlastakis Smith as Executive Vice President of Creative Strategy. Cait joins MERGE from Meta, where she led content and user experience teams responsible for building growth, privacy, and safety features across Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Her expertise spans data-driven content strategy, design systems, and scaling digital experiences for global audiences in highly regulated markets. “In the age of AI, we need to elevate creative and content capabilities across all mediums—from print to digital to physical—integrating data and technology to deliver meaningful, personalized experiences,” said Stephanie Trunzo, CEO of MERGE. “Cait’s unique blend of passion, strategic rigor, and commitment to ethical, accurate content will accelerate our ability to create evocative, consumer-grade experiences at scale.” In her new role, Cait will lead creative strategy, storytelling, and experience design for technology and healthcare clients, helping to bridge innovation with human insight. Her appointment marks a key step in MERGE’s ongoing growth trajectory and expansion of leadership talent. Prior to Meta, Cait led brand strategy for emerging SaaS, open-source, and technology clients at New Kind, a brand agency known for its forward-thinking approach. She also served as Executive Strategy Director at Centerline Digital, where she spearheaded global website redesigns, content marketing campaigns, and digital transformation initiatives for major clients including IBM, First Citizens Bank, Red Hat, GE, Quintiles (now IQVIA), and Duke Clinical Research Institute. At Globant, she led the digital strategy practice, partnering with healthcare and insurance organizations to redesign customer journeys through service design and user-centered innovation. Earlier in her career, Cait worked at Campbell Alliance (now InVentiv Health), where she developed repeatable methodologies and tools for managed markets, sales, and clinical development teams in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Reflecting on her move to MERGE, Cait said, “I’m excited to collaborate with MERGE’s talented teams and help our clients communicate their unique value through thoughtfully designed touchpoints, breakthrough creative that drives business results, and strategic storytelling that deepens relationships between people and brands.” Cait’s appointment follows a series of leadership hires at MERGE this year, including Heidi West as Chief Revenue Officer, John Bracey as Chief Data and Performance Officer, Erica Denner as Chief People Officer, Kyle Smith as Chief Technology Officer, Paul Buranosky as Chief Marketing Officer, and Chris Esposito as Chief Financial Officer. MERGE is a marketing and technology agency powered by human insight, creativity, and AI. The company transforms complexity into clarity by weaving compelling narratives through technology, creating personalized experiences that strengthen connections between people and brands. With over 750 specialists across Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, and Raleigh, MERGE partners with leading organizations such as Abbott, GE Healthcare, American Express, T-Mobile, and Coach to advance health, wellness, and happiness.