Michael J. Russo

Michael Russo is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of brandRUSSO, a strategic branding agency established in 2001. As a global award-winning art director, copywriter, and designer, Michael brings more than 20 years of creative experience working with an international roster of clients across a wide variety of industries and markets.

As Chief Creative Officer, Michael works closely with clients and internal teams to bring brand voices to life through both messaging and design. His specialty lies in translating strategy into creative that creates emotional connections and real differentiation, ensuring brands are not just seen, but believed.

In addition to his work with clients, Michael has served as a judge for both national and international marketing, advertising, and branding competitions, evaluating brand strategy, creative execution, and effectiveness across multiple industries. He is the creative force behind brandRUSSO’s Razor Branding™ process, a published author, and co-host of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, where he challenges conventional thinking around branding and what it actually takes to build brands that change the conversation.