2025 Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaches

Rod Sobral

Global Chief Creative Officer
OLIVER Agency
London
, United Kingdom

Rod is one of the most award-winning creative leaders in the marketing world. Over the last two decades, he created numerous culture-defining and commercially effective ideas for the world's top brands. He works at the intersection of culture, storytelling and technology to build and transform businesses. His work has been recognised by every major industry award. He's been consecutively named amongst the Top 20 Creative Directors in the UK by Campaign and BIMA's Hot 100.

He started his career in Brazil working at Y&R and JWT before opening his agency, Loo/SP. His work won several Cannes Lions in 2004/05 with his agency named Top 10 Most Creative, and Rod Top 20 Creative Players by M&M. In 2005, he took Loo to the international stage by partnering with Unit9 in London.

In 2007, he joined AKQA. His body of work earned the agency top accolades including its first Cannes Titanium Lion, Yellow pencils and six other Grand Prix. AKQA was named AOTY in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

In 2010, Rod partnered with the Mill and founded their creative shop. 32 International Awards and 5 Grands Prix later, the Mill Creative was nominated BIMA's 2012 Agency Of The Year.

Rod was appointed VP, ECD of R/GA London in 2013. Under his leadership and vision, R/GA had its creative golden era - tripling in size, finding its storytelling magic and winning over 200 awards - including Grands Prix for Film, Integrated, Data and R/GA being named Campaign's AOTY in 2015, 2016 and 2017, CR's AOTY in 2015 and AdAge’s #2 International AOTY in 2015 and 2016.

Rod also forged R/GA's legendary partnership with Beats by Dr Dre. His remit was to build the brand and develop its voice. So successful was the partnership, it was named 'World's Most Creative Partnership' by Campaign and his work was at the centre of Beats acquisition by Apple for 3 billion dollars.

Rod went solo to open RDS x Partners in 2018. A bespoke Brand Transformation company working in-house to deliver high-impact ideas that drive fame, growth and purpose for global brands.
In 2019, Rod was named Global Chief Creative Officer of Oliver, one of the fastest growing agencies in the world, where he’s responsible for its creative vision and output.