Exhibit 10.53

June 27th, 2012

JoAnn Covington
[address]

Dear JoAnn,

On behalf of Rocket Fuel, Inc. (“Rocket Fuel”), I am pleased to offer you
full-time employment with Rocket Fuel on the terms and conditions contained in
this letter (the “Offer Letter”). Your title will be Vice President, General
Counsel and you will report to Peter Bardwick, Chief Financial Officer.

Your annual salary will be $225,000, and will be paid in accordance with Rocket
Fuel’s normal payroll procedures. In addition, because your role can have
significant impact on the success of the company, you will be eligible for an
annual bonus of $50,000, paid quarterly, based upon the goals set between you
and your manager. You will also be eligible to participate in Rocket Fuel’s
complete package of employee benefits that are generally made available to all
of Rocket Fuel’s full-time employees. Details about these benefit plans will be
made available for your review. You should note that Rocket Fuel may modify or
terminate benefits from time to time as it deems necessary or appropriate.

Additionally, it will be recommended to the Board of Directors (“Board”) that
you be granted an option to purchase 100,000 shares of Rocket Fuel's common
stock at a price per share equal to the fair market value per share of Rocket
Fuel's common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board in its sole
discretion. This option will be subject to the terms and conditions of Rocket
Fuel's 2008 Stock Plan and stock option agreement.

As a Rocket Fuel employee, you will be expected to abide by Rocket Fuel rules
and regulations and sign and comply with Rocket Fuel’s Proprietary Information
and Inventions Agreement that, among other things, prohibits the unauthorized
use or disclosure of Rocket Fuel proprietary information. We also ask that, if
you have not already done so, you disclose to Rocket Fuel any and all agreements
relating to your prior employment that may affect your eligibility to be
employed by Rocket Fuel or limit the manner in which you may be employed. It is
Rocket Fuel’s understanding that any such agreements will not prevent you from
performing the duties of your position and you represent that such is the case.

In addition, you agree that, during the term of your employment with Rocket
Fuel, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting, or
other business activity directly related to the business in which Rocket Fuel is
now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment, nor will
you engage in any other activities that conflict with your obligations to Rocket
Fuel. Similarly, you agree not to bring any third-party confidential information
to Rocket Fuel, including that of your former employer, and that you will not in
any way utilize any such information in performing your duties for us.

By signing below, you agree that your employment with Rocket Fuel is an
employment “at will.” Employment “at will” means either party may terminate the
relationship at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or
advance notice. Rocket Fuel reserves the right to revoke this offer should it
not receive a satisfactory reference check and background screen for you.

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This Offer Letter will be governed by the laws of the State of California,
without reference to rules relating to conflicts of law. In the event of any
dispute or claim relating to or arising out of our employment relationship, you
and Rocket Fuel agree to an arbitration in which (i) you are waiving any and all
rights to a jury trial but all court remedies will be available in arbitration,
(ii) we agree that all disputes between you and Rocket Fuel shall be fully and
finally resolved by binding arbitration, (iii) all disputes shall be resolved by
a neutral arbitrator who shall issue a written opinion, (iv) the arbitration
shall provide for adequate discovery, and (v) Rocket Fuel shall pay those
arbitration fees required by law.

This Offer Letter, together with the Proprietary Information and Inventions
Agreement, is the entire agreement between you and Rocket Fuel with respect to
your employment and supersedes any other agreements or promises made to you by
anyone, whether oral or written. As required by law, this offer is subject to
satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States.

Please sign and date this Offer Letter and return one copy to Rocket Fuel by
June 29th, 2012 if you wish to accept employment under the terms described
above. If you accept our offer, the first day of your employment will begin on
July 23rd, 2012. This offer of employment will terminate if it is not accepted,
signed and returned to me by June 29th, 2012.

We welcome you to the Rocket Fuel team and look forward to your contribution to
Rocket Fuel’s success. If you have any questions regarding this letter, feel
free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,
/s/ J. Peter Bardwick
J. Peter Bardwick
CFO

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:

 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JoAnn Covington
 
6/28/2012
 
 
Signature
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JoAnn Covington
 
 
 
 
Printed Name