Riccardo Fregoso (above left) has become chief creative officer of Dentsu Creative Italy, joining from Publicis Italy where he was global executive creative director. The investment in Dentsu creativity follows the new creative network’s launch in Cannes, and Lions Agency of the Year win.

“Having a creative like Riccardo join us, with a long list of international successes, is a fundamental step in our journey. We believe that creativity has the power to create culture, change society and invent the future: that’s what we call Modern Creativity. Riccardo brings experience, quality and an approach perfectly aligned to our vision, combining ideas, strategy, creativity, data, technology and excellent craft,” stated Emanuele Nenna, chairman & chief creative officer for Italy of Dentsu Creative.

Fregoso joined Publicis Italy in June 2020 from McCann Worldgroup where he was executive creative director and president Creative Council McCann France. He is one of the best known and most respected European creatives internationally, thanks to his integrated creative approach and strong portfolio of global campaigns and awards, gained over the past 14 years. Fregoso is also international ambassador of the Art Directors Club Italiano. He has led campaigns for brands such as Coca-Cola, Nespresso, L’Oréal, Nestlé, Barilla and Netflix, winning over 150 international awards, including 27 Cannes Lions, 10 D&AD Pencils, 2 Grand Prix Eurobest and the Grand Prix LIA.

Dentu Creative, led internationally by global chief creative officer, Fred Levron, was born from the union of all the creative brands of the dentsu group, and was officially launched at Cannes Lions 2022, where it immediately received the prestigious Agency of the Year award. In Italy, the new creative agency includes over 250 people, with clients including American Express, DAZN, Generali, Skoda and Spotify, making it one of the top players in the market. Committed to being a force for good, Dentsu Creative is also the first network agency in Italy to be named a Benefit Corporation, upholding the legal standards of operating as a purpose-driven business contributing to an open, inclusive and fair society.

“We are investing in the best creative talent in EMEA. Italy is already one of the top three Dentsu Creative markets in the region, and we believe it has great potential. Hiring someone of Riccardo’s quality, whose approach and work encapsulates our vision of Modern Creativity, shows our ambition for this important market,” stated, James Morris, chief executive officer EMEA & UK, Dentsu Creative.

Dentsu Creative has also hired Rafael Rizuto (above right) as chief creative officer, US and Hispanic Latam. Rizuto joins from BBH USA where he was chief creative officer. Rizuto joined BBH in April 2020 from the agency he founded, TBD. Prior to that he held top creative positions at 180LA and Pereira O’Dell. He has worked more internationally than most, with stints at Ogilvy & Mather in Brazil, Ogilvy & Mather and Leo Burnett in Dubai.

Rizuto’s most famous work includes Boost Mobile’s Boost Your Voice (Integrated Grand Prix, Promo Grand Prix and Titanium winner at Cannes Lions 2017; UNICEF’s UNfairy Tales, Grand Prix for Good at Cannes Lions 2016; Expedia’s Dream Adventures; Hellmann’s Recipe Receipt; Airbnb’s #Birdbnb, Solving #SochiProblems, and Views (Airbnb’s first global campaign); and Coca-Cola’s Happiness Refill and Crossroads (Coca-Cola’s largest-ever Latin American push). He has won more than 250 international awards including Grand Prix, Golds and Pencils at Cannes Lions, D&AD, the One Show, the Clios, London International Awards and the Effies. And he has served as a jury member in most of those festivals – Cannes Lions (Glass Lions), D&AD (Creativity for Good), The One Show (Integrated/Experiential), Clios (Brand Design), London International Awards (Branded Entertainment), The Effies, Dubai Lynx, New York Festivals + Others).