Alumni in Action - Paul Roetzer '96

Paul Roetzer '96

Lakewood, OH

 

Time as a student:

"You’re doing this because it’s hard." That was the unexpected wisdom Paul Roetzer ’96 gained from a high school math class. At the time, he couldn't imagine how Mr. Flandera’s response to his frustration with math problems would shape his career, but it stuck with him: resilience, discipline, and a willingness to take on challenges became the cornerstones of his journey.

Paul’s first memorable Ignatius experience came through SEP, where he met future friend and mentor Eric Haddad ‘94. The early years weren’t always easy, struggling to find his place freshman and sophomore year. Once he connected with the right group of friends, things clicked. “These were good people, the kind of guys I wanted to be around.” They formed tight bonds through volleyball, launching the Billiards Club, and building a brotherhood that lasts to this day.

He still vividly remembers the lasting influence of educators like Fr. Ray Guiao S.J. ‘82, Mr. Flandera, and Mr. Toner. “Mr. Toner’s passion for literature was unforgettable,” Paul said. “It gave me a deeper appreciation for communication and storytelling, skills I use daily.”

Post-Ignatius and Career:

After graduating from Ohio University, Paul entered the marketing world but quickly realized he wanted to do things differently. In 2005, with a $50,000 loan from family and a dream to rethink the agency model, he launched his own firm. The turning point came in 2007 when he partnered with a then-unknown startup called HubSpot. His agency became the first HubSpot partner and helped lay the foundation for what would become an immensely successful company.

That same year, Paul’s friend and fellow Ignatius alumnus, Michael Fultz ‘96, tragically passed away at age 29. Paul and a group of Ignatius brothers led by Dr. Paul Vecchio ‘96 launched the Michael P. Fultz ‘96 Scholarship Endowment Fund to honor his memory, and that moment also became a powerful reminder of the enduring personal and professional relationships forged at Saint Ignatius.

Paul went on to author three books - The Marketing Agency Blueprint (2011), The Marketing Performance Blueprint (2014), and Marketing Artificial Intelligence (2022). His 2014 book was the first time he began publicly sharing his thoughts on the impending impact of artificial intelligence on marketing and business.

In 2016, Paul founded the Marketing AI Institute, which has since grown into a global thought leader in the space, and led to the launch of his AI research and education firm, SmarterX. After selling his agency in 2021, Paul went all-in on AI, just as the technology began revolutionizing industries. He raised a $1 million angel round of funding for the Institute, 9 of the 17 investors were Ignatius alumni. “If someone from Ignatius reaches out, you take the call. That’s just how it works,” Paul said. “The Ignatius network has been there for me again and again, not just in business, but in life.”

Today, the Institute has over 110,000 subscribers, a top-ranked podcast — The Artificial Intelligence Show — and a rapidly growing annual AI conference  hosted in Cleveland that jumped from 300 attendees in 2022 to 1,500 expected in 2025. Most recently, Paul launched the AI Literacy Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at preparing leaders, educators, and students for an AI-driven future. His goal is to help others understand and responsibly apply this world-changing technology before it outpaces us all.

Advice to students:

Paul’s advice to current students: “Try something new. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine, you learned something. Connect the dots, work hard, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what the Ignatius network is for.”

Paul also encourages students, and their teachers, to lean into AI with curiosity, not fear in saying “We do students a disservice by not giving them access to these tools. The future workforce will depend on AI literacy. Let’s make sure they’re ready.”