Marketing Executive · New York, NY

I build brands
that break through
and win.

Steve Caputo is an expert at inflection points: rebrands, new market entries and cultural moments. Most recently head of marketing at a PayPal Ventures-backed startup, taking the brand from zero to 1 million users in six weeks. Before that: Instagram's first brand campaign, Converse "Love, Chuck" global brand strategy and the Sprite × McDonald's × Spotify product launch. Known for relentless drive, collaborative finesse and really good writing.

Steve Caputo
Magic Newton
Converse
Sprite × McDonald's
Instagram
Nike
Magic Newton
Converse
Sprite × McDonald's
Instagram
Nike

Selected Work

Building brands at inflection points where attention + trust = value.

Head of Marketing · Magic Labs

Brand Vision for the AI Era

Built a new brand for a PayPal Ventures-backed startup from scratch: strategic positioning, go-to-market narrative, creative direction and a product launch that attracted over 1 million users in six weeks. Led a nimble marketing team and AI-native partners to break through in culture, standing out with high standards of design, copywriting and craft. Launched "Secure the Future," a global content and event series in Seoul, Singapore and New York that energized a network of builders and creators. AI was the force multiplier behind a uniquely handcrafted body of work.

1M+
Users in 6 weeks
1M+
Social Followers
Founder · Lower East Studios

Fractional CMO and Brand Consulting for Global Icons

Founded a consulting practice for brands at critical growth moments: The Madhive rebrand that contributed to a $300M raise and $1B valuation. The "Love, Chuck" brand strategy and campaign direction for Converse that activated a global creator network. Immersive launches for Amazon Prime Video at ComplexCon and around LA. Additional clients include Nike, Diageo and Uniqlo.

$1B
Client Valuation
Executive Creative Director · Cornerstone / The Fader

Culture and Commerce at Scale

Created "That's the Mix"—a breakthrough partnership between Sprite, McDonald's and Spotify that generated 1B+ impressions in one week and became the creative blueprint for McDonald's collaborations with Travis Scott, BTS and Cardi B. Created the long-running "Our Soccer" brand platform for Major League Soccer that contributed to their $2.5B Apple TV streaming deal. Led Sonos "Song Stories: Bowie" global product launch in partnership with the David Bowie estate.

1B+
Impressions
$2.5B
Streaming Deal
Creative Director · Ogilvy

Instagram's First Brand Campaign

Co-created "Find More to Heart"—Instagram's first brand campaign, building a creator platform that discovered and championed emerging talent across the platform. Led innovative projects bringing AI into platform marketing in 2019.

First
Instagram Brand Campaign
Creative Director · R/GA

Building the Agency of the Decade

One of R/GA's first CD/Writers during the Agency of the Decade era. Led global work for Air Force 1 "1THOLOGY"—selected by Virgil Abloh for the Nike x Off-White x MoMA collaboration. Created Nike's first YouTube channel, blog and podcast. Directed Nike Basketball campaigns featuring Kobe, LeBron and Rakim. Won Cannes, Clio, LIAA, One Show and Webby honors.

10
Agency of Year/Decade Awards
About Me

Background

Twenty years building brands at the intersection of culture and technology.

BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Studied abroad at King's College London.

Thought Leadership

Event host and speaker at SXSW, Microsoft Garage, Korea Blockchain Week, Token2049 Singapore, ETHDenver.

Press

The New York Times · WIRED · Billboard · Fast Company · The Hollywood Reporter · Hypebeast · Vogue · Blockworks · Coindesk · The Defiant

Get in Touch

Let's talk.

Ready to break through and win together.

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