Droga5 Names Rafael Rizuto Chief Creative Officer of New York and the Americas

​Droga5, part of Accenture Song, has appointed Rafael Rizuto as chief creative officer of New York and the Americas. The Brazilian-born creative leader joins from Ogilvy North America, where it was announced yesterday that he will be succeeded by Guillermo Vega.

Rafael will lead creative across Droga5’s New York headquarters while also overseeing the agency’s wider Americas network. In his new remit, he will focus on connecting teams across the region to maximise creative agility for global clients and leverage the broader tools and talent within Accenture Song. He will be based in New York and begin his new role in January 2026.

The appointment adds further depth to Droga5’s leadership bench as it bids to bring best-in-class creative solutions to modern marketers. Rafael was selected for his track record in making brands culturally relevant and finding fresh ways to connect with audiences.

“Rafa will bring boundless energy to Droga5 as well as world-class experience,” said Mark Green, global CEO of Droga5. “As we continue to build something new across the globe, Rafa will be a key player in reinventing Droga5 New York as well as harnessing the best of what our team in Brazil can offer to the Americas as a whole. This is going to be a great new chapter, and we are lucky to have someone who is not only talented but also a brilliant human. We cannot wait to see where he takes us.”

“I grew up in this business worshiping Droga5,” added Rafael. “No other agency shaped me more as a creative. Few agencies have redefined what we do the way Droga5 has. Having the privilege to help shape its future is something I don’t take lightly.”

Rafael is a multi-disciplinary creative leader with over two decades of experience across several continents and a diverse range of agencies. At Ogilvy, he led work including Dove’s Gold Lion-winning ‘Get Unready’, an out-of-home campaign spotlighting the brand’s beauty bar as a post-party essential. His wider career includes roles as Dentsu Creative’s CCO for the US and Hispanic LATAM, BBH US CCO and founder, and CCO of his own San Francisco agency, TBD. He has also held leadership posts at 180LA and Pereira O’Dell San Francisco.

An art director by trade, Rafael’s work is known for its cultural resonance and bold creativity. Among his most awarded campaigns are Boost Mobile’s ‘Boost Your Voice’ (double Grand Prix and Titanium at Cannes Lions), UNICEF’s ‘Unfairy Tales’ (Grand Prix for Good), Eurofarma’s ‘Scrolling Therapy’ from Dentsu (Pharma Grand Prix 2023), and Google’s ‘Black Owned Friday’ for BBH (Best of Show at The One Show and Clios).

Rafael has also helped to elevate the profile of the agencies he has led, guiding BBH New York back onto Ad Age’s A-List for the first time in a decade, helping 180LA become TBWA’s most awarded agency two years running, and playing a key role in Dentsu Creative US being named an Ad Age Standout Agency for the first time.

The appointment comes shortly after Droga5 bolstered its global leadership ranks. Recent senior promotions include global chief transformation and operations officer Julia Albu, executive director of global accounts Lauren Tomlinson, and global head of production Ruben Mercadal. Former McCann executive and Ad Age Creativity editor Ann-Christine Diaz also recently joined as global head of reputation and creative excellence.

“We’re at a pivotal moment for our industry, where the role of creativity is being challenged,” said Rafael. “I believe with all my heart that our creativity at Droga5, amplified with the technology expertise of Accenture Song, is what will set us apart. I couldn’t be more excited to join this extraordinary group of humans. The future is bright!”