I’m Rafael Bertacini Gonzaga, also known as Rafa Gonzaga. Or just Rafa.
I’m a Green Card-holding Brazilian creative living in Los Angeles. I currently serve as the EVP, Executive Creative Director at BBDO Los Angeles, leading the creative department and overseeing the creative product for all clients, including brands such as AT&T and WhatsApp.
Before joining BBDO, I was Executive Creative Director at Grey West, leading both the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices while serving as a member of Grey’s North America and Global Creative Councils. During my tenure at Grey in Brazil and the U.S., I helped land 30+ new brands and played a key role in the creative transformation of the network. This work secured Grey Brazil a coveted spot among Cannes’ Top 10 Agencies of the Decade in Latin America, turning an office with little creative reputation into Brazil’s most awarded agency at Cannes for two consecutive years. This success paved the way for Grey Latam’s back-to-back Cannes Lions Regional Network of the Year titles in 2017 and 2018.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented creatives, producing award-winning work that has earned 200+ international accolades—including 31 Cannes Lions and a Grand Prix. My work has also received top honors (Gold or Grand Prix) at prestigious festivals such as The One Show, D&AD, Effies, Clios, LIA, NY Festivals, El Ojo, and CCSP. Notably, two of my projects, 'Corruption Detector' (2018) and 'The Colour of Corruption' (2017), achieved the rare distinction of winning the highest industry honors for both Creativity (Cannes and D&AD) and Effectiveness (Effies). Over the years, I’ve also served as a jury member at festivals such as The One Show, Clio Sports, and New York Festivals, among many others.
When I’m not at BBDO, you can find me at home, taking creative direction from my life’s boss, Mia—my brilliant two-year-old daughter.
Jury Member
The One Show 2025: Green Pencil
Clio Sports 2024: Film
Shorty Awards 2023: Multiple categories
Shorty Impact Awards 2022: Multiple categories
NY Festivals 2020: Innovation
Lusos Awards 2016: Digital
Lusos Awards 2015: Integrated