Fluent, Inc. Names Ryan Perfit Chief Financial Officer
Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT), a leader in customer acquisition and partner monetization solutions, has appointed Ryan Perfit as Chief Financial Officer. The move formalizes the role he has held on an interim basis since early 2023. It also signals continuity: Perfit stepped in during a period of rapid change in Fluent’s business and financial strategy, and his permanent appointment reflects the steady, hands-on work he has done to guide that shift.
A Familiar Leader Returns
This is a return with roots. From 2012 to 2019, Perfit served in key leadership posts at Fluent, most recently as Senior Vice President. In that seat, he led company-wide strategic planning, managed cash flow, and shaped the company’s capital structure. He also helped reinforce financial controls and compliance frameworks at critical moments, including the 2015 merger and the 2018 spin-off that placed the current management team at the helm of the public company. That track record gives him a detailed understanding of how Fluent operates—and how to keep it moving.
CEO on Why Perfit Is the Choice
Don Patrick, Chief Executive Officer of Fluent, shared his perspective on the appointment, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Ryan back to Fluent as our Chief Financial Officer. His wealth of financial knowledge and industry experience is invaluable. Ryan’s familiarity with our operational processes and his established relationships provide us with extraordinary advantages as we progress forward. He is undoubtedly the best fit for the CFO position.”
Guiding Fluent Through a Pivotal Year
As interim CFO, Perfit helped the company navigate a significant settlement with the Federal Trade Commission while executing a strategic pivot to strengthen Fluent’s core operations. At the same time, he supported the company’s push into high-growth markets and helped negotiate a $50 million debt facility. These efforts went hand in hand with upgrading Fluent’s financial processes, improving how the company measures progress and ties its growth objectives to clear, trackable metrics. In short: stabilize, refocus, and build for what comes next.
Perfit on the Road Ahead
Reflecting on the opportunity, Perfit said, "It's an honor to join the executive team at Fluent. Collaborating closely with Don and the leadership team over the past year and a half has been incredibly rewarding. We are deeply committed to further developing our growth strategies and enhancing our financial metrics for success in 2024 and beyond. I am eager to contribute to elevating the company’s financial performance and delivering value to our stakeholders.”
Experience That Fits the Moment
Before rejoining Fluent, Perfit served as CFO for several high-growth startups, where he played a central role in securing funding. Earlier in his career, he held positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers and FTI Consulting. Together, those experiences underscore a mix of financial rigor and practical, execution-focused leadership—useful in any environment, and essential during transition.
About Fluent, Inc.
Since its founding in 2010, Fluent, Inc. has focused on performance marketing—specifically, customer acquisition and partner monetization solutions. The company connects brands with consumers at crucial decision points, using a range of advertising channels and strategies. Fluent emphasizes continuous optimization to unlock new revenue for partners and help advertisers reach the right customers at scale. The throughline is constant: align messaging, timing, and audience to drive results.
Contact
For more information, reach out using the details below:
Fluent, Inc.
Media Relations
Email: marketing@fluentco.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryan Perfit?
Ryan Perfit is the Chief Financial Officer of Fluent, Inc. He previously served as interim CFO starting in early 2023 and held leadership roles at Fluent from 2012 to 2019, including Senior Vice President.
Why is this appointment significant now?
Perfit led key initiatives as interim CFO during a period of rapid change—managing an FTC settlement, helping execute a strategic pivot to reinforce Fluent’s core, and supporting access to a $50 million debt facility. Making his role permanent provides continuity for those efforts.
What experience does Perfit bring to the CFO role?
He has been a CFO at high-growth startups, where he helped secure funding, and previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and FTI Consulting. At Fluent, he also led strategic planning, cash flow management, capital structure work, and compliance initiatives during major transitions in 2015 and 2018.
How does this tie into Fluent’s goals for 2024 and beyond?
Perfit has emphasized strengthening growth strategies and sharpening financial metrics. His focus is on elevating financial performance, improving measurement, and delivering value to stakeholders as the company executes its plans in 2024 and beyond.
How can I contact Fluent, Inc. for more information?
Email Fluent’s media relations team at marketing@fluentco.com.
