Renato Fernandez has been hired by Publicis Creative to be Chief Creative Officer for the U.S. In this newly created role, Fernandez will oversee the creative vision and work developed by the organization’s U.S. agencies including Leo Burnett, Saatchi and Saatchi, Fallon, Team One, BBH, and The Community.
“Publicis has a reputation for pushing the industry forward,” said Fernandez in a statement. “Seizing the opportunity to set the creative bar to new standards, modernizing the creative output and helping the agencies from the group reach their full potential strategy is an exciting prospect to me and it reflects the organization’s commitment to leading the industry’s evolution.”
Fernandez will start August 1 and report to Publicis Creative U.S. CEO Susie Nam. “We are extremely excited to bring Renato on board,” said Susie Nam, CEO of Publicis Creative US. “He brings with him the right combination of experience and hunger – he is always out to prove something and make something new. Our ambition is to take some big swings led by exceptional leaders and esteemed brands who together believe in the powerful impact creativity can have on business results.”
Fernandez began his advertising career in 1994 in his hometown of Curitiba, Brazil and later joined Almap/BBDO, where he worked on top-tier brands including Volkswagen, Gatorade and Havaianas. Most recently, Fernandez served as the Chief Creative Officer for TBWA/Chiat/Day, where he is credited with an overhaul of the creative department that combined social, design, and innovation into all aspects of the unit’s work. Throughout his career, his work has been recognized at all the major international creative festivals and award shows, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clios, Clio Sports, and the One Show.
He is the latest high-profile talent to join Publicis Creative US since Nam’s appointment as CEO last year. In recent months Gareth Goodall joined as Chief Strategy Officer while Nicole Souza was promoted to CMO.