Dentsu Creative hires Rafik Belmesk as Chief Strategy Officer
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Rafik Belmesk joins Dentsu after a 6-year stint at TAXI a WPP agency.
Toronto, Canada (December 1, 2022) – Dentsu Creative has named Rafik Belmesk as its new Canadian Chief Strategy Officer, with the remit of “delivering modern creativity” through its agency model. He joins dentsu’s Canadian leadership team, reporting into CEO Stephen Kiely and overseeing dentsu’s Canadian strategic community in partnership with Jordan Doucette, Chief Creative Officer.
During his tenure at TAXI, Rafik rose through the ranks eventually leading the agency’s Canadian strategic team on clients including Coca-Cola, vitaminwater, Fido, Intel, Circle K/Couche-Tard, Unilever, OLG, Amnesty International or VW to name a few. Before joining TAXI, he worked at Ogilvy Singapore, Edelman and Lg2. An active contributor to the industry, Rafik founded Young Glory, a global education program for creatives that has amassed a cult following.
Stephen Kiely, CEO dentsu Canada says: “Rafik is a rare and unique talent with proven credentials in unlocking complex client issues, delivering unexpected creative thinking and creating long-lasting strategic and platforms for some of the world’s leading brands. He knows how to adapt his style to local, national and global mandates alike and we couldn’t be more excited to have him join us in our Canadian transformation.”
Jordan Doucette, CCO Dentsu Creative said: "It's an exciting time to be at DENTSU CREATIVE. In addition to the impressive client roster, under Fred's leadership we've constructed a modern creative agency with the ability to deliver ideas that are big enough to live anywhere, bold enough to chart new executional territory and rich enough to connect personally with millions. And Rafik represents that next generation of creative leaders we're attracting in Canada. Having worked with him in the past at both TAXI and on Young Glory, I know first-hand his commitment to understanding client's marketing and business challenges and the creative flair he adds to make a significant impact on a wide away of accounts."
Rafik Belmesk said: “Dentsu Creative’s global vision couldn't be any clearer and I was immediately hooked after a few conversations with the team. I’m looking forward to getting involved across their envious client roster, supporting the already strong strategic leadership in place and collaborating with colleagues across dentsu’s media and CXM practices in Canada and internationally.”
The appointment follows a series of high profile strategic and creative hires by Dentsu Creative globally, building towards its vision of becoming a best-in-class creative, media and data powerhouse.
Rafik starts December 5th and will remain based in Montreal.
Contact:
Kate Dobrucki | SVP Communications, Dentsu Canada | kate.dobrucki@dentsu.com | 416-347-3059
About DENTSU CREATIVE
Dentsu Creative is Dentsu International's new and unique global creative network that transforms brands and businesses through the power of modern creativity. Cannes Lions Agency of the Year 2022, Dentsu Creative is part of Dentsu International, alongside the global network's CXM and media agencies. Our 9,000 creatives from around the world are connected with 34,000 media and CXM experts to deliver ideas that create culture, shape society and invent the future. dentsucreative.com