FINN Partners Adds Trio of Powerhouse Executives

FINN Hires Award-Winning Pepe Aguilar as Executive Creative Director, Vaccine and Public Health Communications Leader Richard Hatzfeld to Lead Washington Health Group and Social Evangelist Ritesh Patel to Lead Global Digital Health

Global independent marketing and communications agency FINN Partners has hired Pepe Aguilar as Executive Creative Director. In his new role, Aguilar brings world-class leadership to elevate the agency’s creative capabilities, spearhead major integrated accounts, lead new business efforts, and nurture an inclusive and creative work culture. Aguilar is a highly acclaimed Creative veteran with a track record of success at the world’s leading global agencies. His work has been recognized with 18 Cannes Lions and 26 Effie Awards.

“Hiring Pepe is part of our continued investment in top-tier talent to solve our clients’ complex business challenges. FINN is known for our world-class communication capabilities and we’re doubling down on creativity as rocket fuel to serve our clients with proven expertise and ingenuity. Pepe embodies our core values and commitment to excellence, while also bringing a valued global perspective. He’ll be a tremendous asset to our agency teams and clients,” said Noah Finn, founding managing partner, Global Integrated Marketing.

Also joining FINN as a senior partner, Global Health is Richard Hatzfeld, a leading global public health advocate and brand communications strategist. Hatzfeld will be based in Washington, D.C., and will lead FINN DC Health Group efforts in the office.

During his 25-year career, Hatzfeld has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America on behalf of governments, multinational companies, foundations and NGOs. He joins FINN after five years as a global team lead at Ogilvy, where he supervised multi-national vaccine communication efforts.
“As companies and communities continue to navigate constant disruption – driven by health urgencies, socioeconomic and environmental pressures, and new technologies, FINN has been a pioneer in recognizing that the power of collaboration is the essential launching pad for companies and governments to set a positive direction for humanity’s future,” said Hatzfeld.

Ritesh Patel, a pioneering digital health transformation leader, is also joining the agency as senior partner, Global Digital Health. In this new position, Patel reports to Noah Finn, founding managing partner in charge of Global Integrated Marketing, and will work closely with Gil Bashe, Global Health Chair. Patel will collaborate across FINN Practices and work with the agency’s clients at the intersection of health and wellness decision-making and health-professional voice.

Most recently chief digital officer at Ogilvy Consulting, Patel is a health-technology visionary who has led the move for digital transformation that combines traditional marketing and public relations disciplines and harnesses innovative new technologies including artificial intelligence systems, chat bots, virtual reality and voice-activated systems in order to make brands and services more accessible. Patel is known for his work in digital transformation that opens opportunities for major metropolitan academic medical centers to serve as incubators and accelerators for healthcare start-ups.

“We are thrilled that Ritesh Patel joins FINN and brings his bold approach that drives access to care through digital technology,” said Noah Finn, founding managing partner, Global Integrated Marketing. “Health and Technology are among the biggest practices within FINN and Ritesh brings to the agency and our clients his exceptional track record in building brands and using technology to connect them with customers.

Founded in 2011 on the core principles of innovation and collaborative partnership, FINN Partners has more than quadrupled in size over the past 10 years, becoming one of the fastest growing independent, integrated marketing agencies in the world. The full-service marketing and communications company’s record setting pace is a result of organic growth and integrating new companies and new people into the FINN world through a common philosophy.