180LA Names First-ever Executive Creative Directors

180LA, an award-winning global ad agency specializing in creative and strategic communications, names Rafael Rizuto and Eduardo Marques as their 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,” says William Gelner, CCO of 180LA. “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.” 

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," says Executive Creative Director Eduardo Marques.

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,” says Executive Creative Director Rafael Rizuto. “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.”