Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
The creative heartbeat—the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) leads the vision, voice, and artistry of an agency’s work, pushing boundaries at every turn.
What is a Chief Creative Officer (CCO)?
The creative soul of the agency. CCOs set the vision, raise the bar, and challenge everyone to think bigger, go bolder, and make work that moves the needle.
What does a Chief Creative Officer do?
They guide concepting, mentor talent, and lead high-stakes pitches. Their fingerprints are on every major campaign—often where no one sees.
What does this role look like in a creative agency?
At RIOT, the CCO is both dreamer and doer. They set the tone for our creative ambition, protect the work from dilution, and push the team to explore new creative frontiers.
Dive Deeper
Chief Creative Officers (CCOs) set the tone for the entire creative output of an agency. They lead the vision, shape the voice, and push the boundaries of what the agency creates—across branding, campaigns, content, digital, experiential, and beyond. As both a creative leader and a strategic partner to clients, the CCO ensures that every piece of work not only looks beautiful, but moves culture and drives results.
Related Glossary Terms
| Related Glossary Terms | Why It’s Relevant |
|---|---|
| Creative Direction | Creative Direction is the daily craft of a CCO—guiding concept development, execution, and evolution. |
| Brand Strategy | CCOs translate brand strategy into powerful, emotionally resonant creative that brings positioning to life. |
| Concept Development | Leading idea generation and shaping early campaign concepts is a central part of the CCO’s role. |
| Campaign Strategy | CCOs partner closely on campaign frameworks—ensuring that creative aligns tightly with business goals. |
| Thought Leadership Content | CCOs often serve as public-facing voices—positioning the agency as a leader in creativity and innovation. |
Related Job Roles
| Related Job Roles | Why It’s Connected |
|---|---|
| Creative Director | Leads day-to-day project and campaign creative—reporting to or collaborating with the CCO. |
| Art Director | Executes and evolves visual concepts under the broader creative vision shaped by the CCO. |
| Copywriter | Partners with design teams under CCO leadership |
