Melissa Rosenthal thrives in environments where creativity meets strategic disruption. As Chief Creative Officer at ClickUp, she fosters a culture where her team operates with fearless autonomy, ensuring every campaign pushes the boundaries of brand storytelling. Rather than micromanaging, she builds trust, allowing creatives the freedom to experiment and innovate. This approach has driven ClickUp’s bold, attention-grabbing marketing efforts, from viral billboard campaigns to a Super Bowl ad that resonated with audiences. Her philosophy is simple—if a campaign doesn’t elevate the brand and spark conversation, it’s a missed opportunity.
Rosenthal honed her craft at Marymount Manhattan College, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication arts. She began her career at BuzzFeed as an intern, quickly rising to become Global VP of Creative. There, she led a team that pioneered viral branded content, generating hundreds of billions of views and over $100 million in revenue. At ClickUp, she played a pivotal role in growing the company’s annual recurring revenue from $2 million to $200 million within four years. Her work revolves around balancing high-level brand strategy with hands-on creative execution, ensuring that ClickUp’s marketing doesn’t just exist—it makes an impact.
Rosenthal’s success stems from an unwavering belief in the power of possibility. Throughout her career at BuzzFeed, Cheddar, ClickUp, and now as co-founder of Outlever, she has embraced the mindset that anything can be achieved with the right perspective. Rejecting the limitations of conventional thinking, she encourages teams to approach every challenge with curiosity and optimism. Her leadership continues to shape the way brands engage with their audiences, proving that creativity isn’t just about making something look good—it’s about making people feel something.