Bedford, New York, United States
Rick spent 30 years working at agencies including Leo Burnett, Chiat/Day, and Ogilvy & Mather. At Ogilvy, as Co-President, Chief Creative Officer of North America, he integrated Ogilvy’s North American offices leading the agency to be named Agency of the year by Advertising Age in 2000. Following Ogilvy, Rick became Director and Professor at the VCU Brandcenter, considered to be the best graduate school for the Business of Marketing Communications. For the 9 years under his leadership, the curriculum constantly changed, doubled in size, and in 2012 was named one of the most Innovative Business Schools in the world. After Brandcenter Rick founded Sparkstarters, an executive training program comprised of renowned entrepreneurs, advertising leaders, startup founders, marketers, designers and anthropologists. Their mission, to help companies become more competitive by liberating the creativiity that’s hidden within every organization. In 2016 Rick retired and in his spare time created and produced the "Inspiration" documentary series in conjunction with the Advertising Club / International Andy's. An education series chronicling what and who inspired many of the worlds creative advertising icons to enter the business. https://www.andyawards.com/inspiration/ Throughout his career, Rick has been dedicated to improving the industry having served on the Boards of 4A’s, Art Directors Club, One Club, Advertising Week and served as the Dean of the Roger Hatchuel Academy in Cannes. He previously sat on the boards of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Napster, and Butler Shine Stern & Partners. While Rick has won many advertising awards, he is most proud of his contributions to the book "Brotherhood", whose proceeds went to the families of the 343 fallen 9/11FDNY hero's. Because of his contribution Rick was awarded the title of Honorary Deputy Chief by the FDNY. In honor of his contributions to the industry, Rick was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of fame in 2012 and the One Club Creative Hall of Fame in 2024. Rick is enjoying retirement by spending time with his wife Barbara, their three daughters and five grandchildren.
Throughout his 30 years in the advertising business as well as the Director of the VCU Brandcenter, Rick has always been interested in the path people took to find their passion; who inspired them, how did they stay inspired and what did they do to inspire those around them. In 2016, Rick in partnership with The Advertising Club/International Andys conceived and produced a film series called “Inspiration” highlighting creative icons. Including Advertising legends: Lee Clow, Sir John Hegarty, Carol Williams, Keith Reinhard, David Kennedy, Tom Burrell, George Lois, Dan Wieden, Jeff Goodby, Rich Silverstein, Susan Hoffman and David Droga. Recently Bob Greenberg, Susan Credle, Nina DiSesa and Brian Collins have been filmed and being editing. The series is available to view at https://www.andyawards.com/inspiration/
In 2003, at the top of his career as Co-President, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy North America, Rick stepped down to become the Director of the VCU Adcenter. When he began, the school was considered a portfolio school, but Rick was determined to create a graduate program where creatives and MBA's worked together in collaboration. Under his leadership, the school added three new tracks, new faculty, doubled in size, continually changed its curriculum, became housed under the School of Business and changed it's name from the Adcenter to the Brandcenter. In addition, Rick was the force behind the school's move from a cramped office space to a state of the art, creatively driven building with open architecture, designed by world renowned architect Clive Wilkinson. Rick's leadership and vision paid off in 2012 when, as he retired, the Brandcenter was named the "Most Innovative Business School in the World". Rick left the Brandcenter after accomplishing the goal he stated on his arrival, which was to build the Brandcenter into the Harvard of Advertising.