Barry Wacksman
EVP, Chief Growth Officer
R/GA
What are you reading right now?
Anything and everything I can download on my iPad: several books, various digital magazines. Plus, my daily dose of the New York Times in all its glorious digital formats.
What person has been the biggest influence on your career?
Without a doubt, my boss of the past 11 years, Bob Greenberg. I think I’ve had some influence on him, too. It’s been a great partnership.
If you could have lunch with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
My sister, who died way too young and whom I miss every day.
What brand do you admire the most, past or present?
Nike. They were the world’s greatest television marketer and now they are the greatest digital marketer.
What’s your go-to late night snack?
Sleep.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Every boy wants X-ray vision, and I’m no different in that regard.
What is your favorite quote?
“Everything that can be digital will be.” I believe that came from Nicholas Negroponte.
As Chief Growth Officer, Barry helps define the overall strategy and vision for R/GA. Since joining R/GA in 1999, the agency has grown organically from under 50 employees to over 700 staff across three offices globally. In that same period, R/GA has won accounts with some of the world’s top brands, including Nike, Verizon, L’Oréal and Walmart. Barry’s articles have been published in a wide variety of industry publications, and he has spoken on topics pertaining to the digital age at major conferences and events around the world.
Prior to joining R/GA, Barry worked at Ammirati Puris Lintas (APL) Digital, the interactive marketing unit of global advertising network Ammirati Puris Lintas. While there, he managed the global digital accounts of Compaq, Iridium and LEGO, and oversaw business development.
Barry serves on the board of directors of the Advertising Education Forum (AEF) and the Miami Ad School. He graduated from Ohio State University with a BA in philosophy and was a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at Syracuse University.