Hugo Veiga & Diego Machado

Hugo Veiga and Diego Machado are the visionary duo behind one of the industry’s most transformative creative journeys of the last 15 years.

Their partnership began at Ogilvy, where, after consistent accolades, they were recognized as the World’s Best Creatives by Cannes Lions in 2013.

In 2014, they co-founded the AKQA São Paulo studio, which quickly became AKQA’s most creatively celebrated and financially successful, partnering with iconic brands like Nike, Google, Netflix, and TikTok, as well as artists such as Usher, Lady Gaga, and Elton John.

Under their leadership, the studio earned the title of WPP’s Happiest Office in the World in 2018 and was named Latin America Agency of the Year by top industry awards including Cannes Lions, One Show, and D&AD.

Following their consistent contributions to the network, they were appointed Global Chief Creative Officers in 2019. In this role, they helped expand AKQA’s global footprint with new business units in LATAM, Los Angeles, Miami, and Europe, while fostering a culture of innovation that earned the agency numerous global honours.

Their creative legacy includes six Cannes Lions Grand Prix, from the emotionally powerful “Dove Real Beauty Sketches” (Titanium), to the AI-powered “Nike Never Done Evolving, feat. Serena Williams” (Digital Craft). Their work has also received Grammy nominations, TIME Magazine’s Best Ad, Webby Awards, Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, and the UNICEF Human Rights Seal.

More than their accolades, Hugo and Diego are known for their soulful, human-first approach to leadership, exemplified by the creation of SOMA+, a social initiative that has mentored over 3,000 young creatives without access to university education in Brazil.

Hugo, originally from Portugal, brings a diverse creative background as a former TV screenwriter, actor, cartoon voice artist, and musician.

Diego, a Brazilian visual artist with an intuitive sense of harmony, is also an entrepreneur, co-owning two awarded restaurants and an architecture and design start-up.

Together, they represent a new generation of creative entrepreneurs: globally minded, driven by innovation, and unafraid to turn bold ideas into businesses.