Aaron Starkman

Canada

Over the past 18 months, Aaron has led Rethink through a defining period of growth, evolving one of North America’s most creatively ambitious independents from a pure-play creative agency into a multi-practice network built on creativity. Crucially, he has done so without compromising the agency’s founding mission: “to change the industry for the better.”

As Global Chief Creative Officer, Aaron has long championed people, product, and profit (in that order). Over the past year and a half, he has doubled-down on creativity, committing to the creative department comprising 50% of staff. He has adopted a leadership style rooted in clarity, shared standards, and empowered teams. By institutionalizing creative excellence and ensuring Rethinkers are happy and supported, he has demonstrated that breakthrough, culture-shaping work isn’t accidental, it’s repeatable.

Under Aaron’s leadership, Rethink has become one of the most awarded independent agencies in the world for creativity and effectiveness, winning over 50 awards across the Effies, WARC, D&AD, One Show, Cannes and the Clios in 2025. These results affirm a core belief at the heart of his leadership: when creative conviction is paired with operational discipline, agencies do more than produce exceptional work; they build enduring cultures and deliver sustainable business impact.