Rick Boyko

From the beginning of his career as a young art director at Leo Burnett to today, Rick Boyko has dedicated his life to the advancement of the business he loves. A creative leader who not only created great work over a long career but also a thoughtful leader who inspired all those around him to be their best.

Rick Boyko began his career as an art director at Leo Burnett Chicago, where he worked on United Airlines before moving to Los Angeles where over nine years he made his mark at Chiat/Day, developing acclaimed award winning campaigns for Mitsubishi Electric, Pizza Hut, Home Savings, Foster Farms, and Nike.

 

 

In 1989 along with his partner Bill Hamilton, he left Chiat/Day to join Ogilvy & Mather’s flagship office in New York. In 1994 he was appointed to the Worldwide Board and in 1997 named Co-President and Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy North America, working to improve the creative work, culture and talent across the agency’s North American network. Rick was the first creative executive since the early 70s to rise to executive management level at Ogilvy. He led that post with a mission: To reclaim the creative ethos of the legendary founder working seamlessly to integrate the efforts of Ogilvy’s creative departments throughout the North American network, culminating with the agency being named Agency of the year by Advertising Age in 2000.

In 1999 Rick launched “Young Guns,” an experimental, in­house mentoring program for young creatives joining the agency. Its members have gone on to significant leadership roles across the industry. He created an in-house design group led by Brian Collins bringing additional integration to the agency and its clients. Developed and brought to life “The Syndicate” a grouping of independent creatively led agencies working in an ad-hoc relationship with Ogilvy. And, out of print for years, he led the charge to get David’s “Confessions of an Advertising Man” re-printed.

 

 

In 2003, Boyko stepped down from his position at Ogilvy to become Director and Professor at the VCU Adcenter. For the 9 years under his leadership, the curriculum constantly changed, doubled in size, moved into a modern space designed by Clive Wilkerson, renamed to the VCU Brandcenter, moved from under the School of Mass Communication to The School of Business, and in 2012 was named the “Most Innovative Business School in the World”.

After the Brandcenter he founded Sparkstarters, an executive training program composed of renowned entrepreneurs, advertising leaders, startup founders, marketers, designers and anthropologists. Their mission, to help companies become more competitive by liberating the creativity that’s hidden within every organization.

 

 

In 2016 Rick Boyko retired and in his spare time created and produced the “Inspiration” documentary series in conjunction with the Advertising Club / International Andy’s. An education series chronicling what and who inspired many of the world’s creative advertising icons to enter the business.

Throughout his career he has been dedicated to improving the industry having served on the Boards of 4A’s, Art Directors Club, One Club, The Andy’s, Advertising Week, and served as the Dean of the Roger Hatchuel Academy in Cannes. He previously sat on the boards of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Napster, and Butler Shine Stern & Partners.

Of all his many advertising awards, he is most proud of his contributions to the book “Brotherhood”, whose proceeds went to the families of the 343 fallen 9/11 FDNY heroes. Because of his contribution, he was awarded the title of Honorary Deputy Chief by the FDNY.

 

 

 

In honor of his contributions to the industry, Rick Boyko was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of fame in 2012.

Rick is surrounded and supported by his wife Barbara, his three beautiful daughters, Mary, Jessica, and Katie, and five grandchildren. When not spending time with his family, or working on the Inspiration series, Rick finds time to paint.