Sarmiento will report directly to CEO Greg Knipp and will be in charge of agency’s creative vision

Dieste Inc., a leading multicultural communications agency in U.S., has named agency executive creative director Ciro Sarmiento its new Chief Creative Officer, effective February 1st. Dieste’s previous Chief Creative Officer Paco Olavarrieta, who will remain with the agency, as a “Craft-Maestro”, adding his experience to specific creative projects.

“Ciro is one of the most accomplished creative executives in our field, respected and admired by our team, our clients and praised by his industry peers. And we felt like he was ready to take the helm of Chief Creative Officer, giving continuity to the great momentum we have as an agency,” said Dieste’s CEO Greg Knipp.

Sarmiento joined Dieste in 2013 as an executive creative director under Olavarrieta’s creative guidance. “When I invited Ciro to join the agency I knew that I had found a potential candidate to succeed me as Dieste’s CCO. And for the last year Greg, Tony Ciro and I worked together on a succession plan, giving Ciro all the tools and support needed for a harmonious and successful transition,” said Paco Olavarrieta.

With over 20 years experience in the U.S. as well as in Latin America, Paco Olavarrieta has created innumerous award-winning campaigns, and has a successful track record working with top-notch agencies across the world. “When I recruited Paco to Dieste, in 2011, he told me that what he really wanted was to create, to write again, not to manage, but to develop work for clients. I gave him my word that I would. It took me four years, but I have finally delivered on that promise,” said Greg Knipp.

The Next 20 Years:
Dieste, founded in 1995, celebrated its 20th anniversary on last December and according to the agency leadership team, it is going through one of its best moments. “I’m extremely excited about the opportunity of helping to shape the agency next 20 years,” said Sarmiento, announcing that one of his first challenges will be to raise awareness of Dieste’s digital and social capabilities. “All the award-winning work we developed lately was conceptually created to work on any media but primarily focused on digital and social platforms,” said Sarmiento reinforcing that the agency as a whole “has a deep understanding of the digital media and the ways multicultural consumers are using it.” Dieste was recently recognized with two Cannes Lions, two Clio awards and several other awards for digital platforms developed for its clients.

Tony Dieste, agency founder and chairman said that it is very exciting to have Ciro as part of the leadership team. “The next 20 years will be even more challenging than the previous ones and we need creative minds who challenge the odds and leverage the magical, game-changing power of creativity for our clients. We have found that in Ciro and he will help us stay among the best agencies in the world,” said Mr. Dieste.

Ciro Sarmiento Bio:
With over 15 years of experience in the U.S. in both the multicultural and general markets, as well as international experience in Latin America, Ciro Sarmiento is one of the most talented and respected creative directors in the U.S. Having worked for world-renowned agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather and Leo Burnett provided Sarmiento with expertise in the development of truly innovative work.

Sarmiento’s creative work has been recognized across the globe, and his extensive list of awards includes several prestigious Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, New York Festivals, LIA, Effie, and The One Show as well as several Latin American award shows such as Wave Festival and El Ojo. He has also served on several international creative festival juries in the course of his career.
Ciro is a New Yorker by birth but grew up in Colombia and has lived in Bogotá, Austin, Chicago and Dallas. He is married with two children. When he is not thinking in advertising, he is thinking in ways to get Ben and Emma into advertising- Did we mention he loves advertising?