R/GA San Francisco Appoints Noel Franus as Executive Creative Director

R/GA San Francisco this week announced that Noel Franus is joining the office’s leadership team as executive creative director. With nearly 20 years of work shaping brands, products and services while exploring the possibilities of experience design, Noel joins R/GA as its San Francisco office continues to grow.

“Noel is a creative, a consultant, and a leader. His track history of impactful design for global brands makes him a perfect addition to R/GA,” said Paola Colombo, SVP, managing director, R/GA San Francisco. “We’re excited to partner with him to push our work even further.”

Noel joins from design-thinking agency Comrade, where he acted as interim chief experience officer. In that role he strengthened the firm’s product and service design practices amidst an acquisition by consultancy CI&T. Prior to that, he was VP, experience design director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he led work for recognisable brands such as Domino’s, American Express, Best Buy, Microsoft, and p-ink.org.

“R/GA is legendary for its creative ambition and executional agility, and the San Francisco office is stacked with a wildly talented team,” Noel said. “I’m thrilled to join this crew in creating the products and services of the future.”

Noel has served on the jury for the One Show and been a chair member for the IxDA. His work has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, MTV, BBC, ABC 20/20, PBS, Upworthy, and Buzzfeed, and earned honours at industry award shows including Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios and the Jay Chiat Awards. Beyond the office, Noel is also founder of Franus Experience Design and Chalet Workshop, where he mentors the next generation of experience designers.

The announcement comes as the San Francisco office continues to expand its creative team. In May, the agency announced the hire of Chris Polychronopoulos as group creative director, guiding work for marquee clients Google, eBay Fashion, and Airbnb. Also joining the creative team are:

Bob Cohen joins as creative director, bringing experience from positions in markets spanning New York, San Francisco, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. His work has been recognised with over 15 Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards, Cannes Lions, and pencils from The One Show.    

Creative director Kevin Koller joins from 215McCann, where he was associate creative director. Formerly, he has held leadership positions at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

Fernando Salvador, associate creative director, will guide creative output for clients Google, eBay Fashion, and Masterclass. Fernando hails from Peru and was most recently an associate creative director at MullenLowe Boston.

Senior art director Brian Vandeputte joins from agency ARGONAUT, where he created work for clients Fitbit, MetLife, and Infiniti. His work with the new business team contributed to the agency’s winning pitch to Hershey’s.