Unexpected Intros: Rafael Lisita

At DDB, we have a simple belief. That Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity. 

And in order to create awesome works, you need awesome people. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. In this Unexpected Intros series, we take a peek behind the curtain at some of the diverse thinkers that make up our network and validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it. 

1. Name, Title, Office

Rafael Lisita, strategy manager (previously, culture strategy manager), DM9 Brasil

2. Introduce yourself in three emojis. 

Rafael> 🧡🏳️‍🌈👰🏻‍♂️

3. What was your very first job? 

Rafael> I was an art director intern at a PR Agency in Goiânia, my hometown in Brazil. This happened back in 2008, right after I started my 3rd semester at the University.

4. How did you wind up in advertising? 

Rafael> I always felt like I had a very creative mind. I say 'always' because this is a feeling that started when I was a kid. I dreamed of being an artist, both as a designer – because I loved drawing and Carlos Saldanha’s animation work inspired me so much – and, also, as a pop star, which I believe to be almost every gay’s child dream – that’s why we love pop divas and drag queens. But, because I couldn’t afford to live in São Paulo, and in Goiânia we didn’t have film and animation university courses, I asked myself what would be the closest course I could enrol to work on my creativity? So, I ended up studying Advertising.

5. Piece of creative that inspires you? 

Rafael> The process is what inspires me the most.

To me, inspiration derives, mainly, from a transformation standpoint. I want to believe in being able to change every day, in the possibility of experimenting without judgement, in true collaboration. And I'm not talking just about work. I speak from a 360 perspective, after all, to me that's what life's all about. So, when I see pieces of creative like the Google 'Year in search 2022' ad, Escher's 'Metamorphosis' or Rosalía's 'Motomami' album, they remind me to surrender to the process and to enjoy every second of it.

6. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to? 

Rafael> Reading: 'Friendship lover' a manga book that one of my closest friends lent me.

Watching: Next in Fashion and The Last of Us

Listening to: Karol G’s new album 'Mañana será bonito' plus I’m addicted to Shakira’s Bizarrap Music Session #53

7. What’s a goal/hope/dream of yours?

Rafael> My main goal is to become internationally recognised not only for the quality of my work but, also, for my professionalism and inspiring leadership. I’ve had many bosses in my career so far but, not all of them were inspiring and open leaders so, that’s what I strive for.

As for the dream, I’d say I’m still hung up on the idea of becoming a pop star. LOL It’s funny but it’s true.