Noel Franus named ECD at R/GA San Francisco
R/GA San Francisco has named Noel Franus as executive creative director. With nearly 20 years of work shaping brands, products and services while exploring the experience design world, Franus joins as the R/GA SF office continues to grow with other creative hires and promotions.
Noel Franus
Franus joins from design-thinking agency Comrade, where he served as interim chief experience officer. In that role he strengthened the firm’s product and service design practices amidst an acquisition by consultancy CI&T. Prior to that, he was vice president, experience design director at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he led work for brands such as Domino’s, American Express, Best Buy, Microsoft, and p-ink.org.
“Noel is a creative, a consultant, and a leader. His track history of impactful design for global brands makes him a perfect addition to R/GA,” said Paola Colombo, senior vice president, managing director, R/GA San Francisco. “We’re excited to partner with him to push our work even further.”
Franus has served on the jury for the One Show and been a chair member for the IxDA. His work has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, MTV, BBC, ABC 20/20, PBS, Upworthy, and Buzzfeed, and has earned honors at industry award shows including Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios and the Jay Chiat Awards. Beyond the office, Noel is also founder of Franus Experience Design and Chalet Workshop, where he mentors the next generation of experience designers.
“R/GA is legendary for its creative ambition and executional agility, and the San Francisco office is stacked with a wildly talented team,” Noel said. “I’m thrilled to join this crew in creating the products and services of the future.”
The announcement comes as the San Francisco office continues to expand its creative team. In May, the agency announced the hire of Chris Polychronopoulos as group creative director, guiding work for marquee clients Google, eBay Fashion, and Airbnb. Also joining the creative team are: Bob Cohen, who joins as creative director; Kevin Koller, creative director, who joins from 215McCann; Fernando Salvador, associate creative director; and Brian Vandeputte, senior art director, who joins R/GA from Argonaut.