Rick Boyko

Rick is the founding member of Sparkstarters, an executive creative collaboration training program comprised of renowned entrepreneurs, marketers and advertising leaders. Their mission is to help companies become more competitive by liberating the creativity that’s hidden within every organization.

In 2012, after ten years, Rick stepped down as Director and Professor at the VCU Brandcenter, where under his leadership the curriculum evoloved to include five tracks and doubled in size. The VCU Brandcenter Master's program, part of VCU's School of Business, has been recognized by the 4A's, Ad Age and BusinessWeek as a top graduate program in advertising, marketing, digital media, and business.

Prior to the Brandcenter, Rick spent 30 years creating advertising for major brands at agencies including Leo Burnett, Chiat/Day, and Ogilvy & Mather. As Co-President, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy North America, he integrated Ogilvy’s North American offices leading the agency to be named Agency of the year by Advertising Age in 2000.

Throughout his career, Rick has been dedicated to improving the industry he loves, having served on the Boards of the 4A’s, Art Directors Club (ADC) and One Club. Currently, he sits on the Board of Advertising Week where in 2011 he conceived and helped produce the video Pursuit Of Passion, Diversity in Advertising.

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