Young Innovator Nominee: Diego Machado, AKQA

Why he’s nominated: Named best Art director in the World at Cannes 2013, Diego Machado is Brazil’s most recognized face of the new generation of creative leadership. In 2014, at just the age of 27, he co-founded AKQA's São Paulo office and has led creative projects for innovative companies like Google and Netflix, the agency’s biggest clients. He was also invited by Mondelez to lead two Fly Fearless projects, that seek fearless innovation for the company’s brands.

Diego’s most innovative work from last year was the project “Don’t Look Away” for international artist Usher, that won major awards at the most iconic festivals including gold at Cannes, Clio and One Show.

Within just two years, and just 30 employees, he helped the agency become the second most awarded Brazilian agency at the Clios and the 5th most awarded Brazilian agency at Cannes 2016.

Diego’s is also re-imagining the future of creative agencies. Recently open, the new office named AKQA Casa (Home), is human and community oriented where creative-minded people from any background and of any discipline – musicians, artists, writers or performers – are welcome to co-create with the AKQA creatives. The co-creation spirit is also extended to clients that often sit down together in the search of creative solutions for their briefs.

Diego is also helping AKQA’s São Paulo office become a creative hub for AKQA’s global network, partnering with several projects from different offices. A recent example of that partnership was the launch of Rolls Royce first vision vehicle 103EX. With a hunger for world’s first ideas and care for the ones surrounding him, Diego is shaping the image of how a leader should be: humble, human and happy.

Don’t Look Away work for reference.

Love Bravery work for reference.

The Young Innovator Award celebrates excellence and innovation by young professionals. See the other nominees and their backgrounds and check back to learn who has won this prestigious honor from The Advertising Club of New York and Google, with support from The Drum.