Rethink has promoted longtime creative leader Mike Dubrick to Chief Creative Officer, North America, expanding his oversight across the independent agency’s Toronto, New York, Vancouver and Montreal offices.
Dubrick previously served as Chief Creative Officer of Rethink Toronto. In the broader role, he will oversee the agency’s advertising business across the region, help shape its creative vision and strengthen collaboration among its North American offices.
The move comes as Rethink continues to expand beyond traditional advertising into a multi-specialist organization spanning design, public relations and other disciplines. The agency described Dubrick’s promotion as the first phase of ongoing succession planning within its creative leadership structure.
“Mike is a rare leader who doesn’t just create incredible work, he elevates the people around him,” said Aaron Starkman, Global Chief Creative Officer and Partner. “He has been a true partner in shaping Rethink, bringing a relentless fire to our work. Expanding his role across North America was the obvious decision.”
Dubrick will work alongside creative leaders throughout the network, including Tara Lawall, Partner and Chief Creative Officer in New York; Leia Rogers and Don Shelford, Partners and Executive Creative Directors in Vancouver; and Xavier Blais, Partner and Executive Creative Director in Montreal.
Starkman will remain Global Chief Creative Officer, focusing on Rethink’s broader global creative ambitions, agency brand and capabilities.
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“Rethink has always been built on the promise to our people and partners that if you come here, you’ll do the best work of your career,” Dubrick said. “Our goal is to create a body of creative work that changes the industry. Having the opportunity to help make that a reality for our teams across North America is incredibly exciting.”
Dubrick joined Rethink in 2012 and has spent more than a decade helping grow the agency’s creative reputation. Since becoming CCO of Toronto in 2022, he has led work for clients including Kraft Heinz, IKEA, Molson Coors and Scotiabank.
Under his leadership, Rethink has collected honors from Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show and the Clios. This year, the agency won 14 Cannes Lions, including a Grand Prix for Heinz’s global “Look Familiar” campaign, which highlighted how French fry cartons around the world resemble the shape of Heinz’s keystone logo.
The promotion follows a strong run for the independent agency, including recognition as Cannes Lions’ Independent Agency of the Year and Independent Network of the Year.
Reel 360 News wishes Mike the best of luck in his new role.
