WHO: Brandon Rochon
CURRENT SITUATION: Chief Creative Officer, Kastner & Partners in Los Angeles
FEARLESS MOVE: After a few years working on Madison Avenue in New York City, Rochon moved to Europe where he joined the award-winning TBWA/Paris and worked on brands like Absolut Vodka, McDonalds, PlayStation, Heineken and Nissan.
YOU KNOW HIM FOR: Rochon’s work with Ogilvy Paris as Global Creative Director of Coke Zero, and his work with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Perrier. After returning to the United States Rochon joined to Leo Burnett where he has spent the last three years as the SVP, Global Creative Director of Samsung Electronics, helping usher the brand into the pop-cultural icon it has become to date.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: “I have always believed that people don’t invite brands into their houses. They invite people in. So for a brand to really be relevant and powerful and meaningful, we have to talk to them as a person. About what they care about. What they are talking about. What’s relevant to them right now. About what’s moving culture right now.”
GOALS: In an industry that lacks people of color in key decision making roles, Rochon continues to identify young talent with non-traditional backgrounds to explore their creativity and connect brands with all people.
WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.