In today’s attention economy, I approach social-first creativity as a discipline grounded in cultural fluency.
From holding company workflows to innovation-driven teams, I’ve learned how ideas align cross-functional IATs, and scale across owned, earned, and paid environments.
My focus has consistently been on creative work that earns attention and upholds the core idea.
Career Summary
Richard “Rich” Cruz
Associate Creative Director, Art
Experience
ACD, Art + Social
Dentsu Creative - Feb ‘25 - Nov ‘25
ACD, Art
alma DDB - Mar ‘24 - Aug ‘24
Sr. Art Director
Conill Saatchi - Apr ‘23 - Mar ‘24
Sr. Art Director
FCB NY - Jun ‘21 - May ‘23
Sr. Art Director
Mekanism SF - Feb 21 - Jun 21
Art Director
TBWA\Chiat\Day LA - Sept ‘18 - Feb ‘20
Art Director
DAVID Miami - Jan ‘17 - Aug ‘18
Education
Art Direction, Assoc. of Arts
Miami Ad School (2015-17)
Intern at CP+B (during Ad School semester)
Awards & Recognition
Cannes Lions Ranking (2017)
9th Best Art Director
D&AD New Blood Award (2016)
Wood Pencil
Disney+ (2020)
Webby Awards: People’s Voice for Best Launch
Adage Creativity Awards: Tiny But Mighty
Burger King (varied projects)
Cannes Lions: Grand Prix, 4 Gold, 6 Silver, 7 Bronze
D&AD Awards: 3 Yellow, 2 Graphite, 4 Wood
The One Show: Best in: Cross-Platform, 10 Gold, Silver
CLIO Awards: Clio Grand, Gold
Andy Awards 2 Gold
EL Ojo: 2 Gran Ojos, 6 Oros, 1º Finalista en EEUU
Brands
Over my career, I’ve contributed to work for the following brands.
Dentsu Creative
Subway
Tums
alma DDB
Blue Moon
Miller Lite
McDonald’s
Pepsi
Tobacco Free Florida
Conill Saatchi & Saatchi
Burger King MC AOR
FCB New York
Air Canada Aeroplan
BMW USA
FDA - The Real Cost
Florida Blue
Goldman Sachs Marcus
GSK Flonase
Lincoln Financial
Mekanism SF
Amazon Music
GoodRx
TBWA\Chiat\Day LA
Disney+
Google
ESRI
McDonald’s (AOR Pitch)
DAVID Miami
Budweiser
Burger King, Global AOR
Coca-Cola
Soap & Glory
Kraft-Heinz
Brand comms, design strategy, and earned-media thinking.
Open to select freelance, contract, or full-time opportunities. Remote, hybrid, or relocation considered.