180LA points its first ever ECDs

180LA, global ad agency specializing in creative and strategic communications, appointed Rafael Rizuto and Eduardo Marques as agency’s first-ever executive creative directors. The appointments follow year-over-year growth from the Santa Monica based office.

Rizuto and Marques most recently worked as Creative Directors at Pereira O’Dell San Francisco, after a successful 2-year tenure at Ogilvy & Mather Brazil. Rizuto and Marques will report directly to Chief Creative Officer William Gelner while managing creative direction across all disciplines for agency and client work.

Besides being two of the most highly awarded creative directors in the world, they bring an amazing amount of passion and energy to everything they touch (…) Their unique global perspective will be invaluable to us as more and more of our clients are looking for big, international ideas that travel and get the world talking.

William Gelner,

CCO 180LA.

The agency’s staff has nearly doubled in the last two years since the office has grown their business with existing clients like HP, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and Mitsubishi Motors of North America. Other clients include Expedia, Boost Mobile, and Pepsi amongst others.

180 has a powerful history. I am very honored to be part of the new chapter they are starting to build right now

Eduardo Marques

Executive Creative Director

As two of the world’s most-award advertising professionals, Rizuto and Marques have led campaigns like Hellmann’s Recipe Receipt; Coke’s Happiness Refill; Whopper Face for Burger King, AirBnB’s #Birdbnb (Home to You), Solving #SochiProblems and Views (Airbnb’s first global campaign).

Both were ranked on the Cannes Report 2012; Rafael was the #6 Art Director in the world and Eduardo the #1 Creative Director. Eduardo was also ranked #8 Copywriter on the list. According to the Big Won Report 2012, Rafael was ranked as the #9 best Art Director in the world. They each have received 100+ international awards.

When I first arrived in LA for a chat with William (Gelner) and Mike (Allen), I could feel the energy. It was one of those moments when you know something awesome is about to happen and after talking to Chris (Mendola), I knew 180LA was the place to be (…) 180LA is a great agency that I have always admired, and they are living a great moment right now. I’m thrilled to be part of it.

Rafael Rizuto

Creative Director .