New York, NY — Versus today announced the appointment of Nico Puertollano as Executive Creative Director. As part of the move, Rezonate’s commercial client portfolio will transition to Versus, further expanding the studio’s creative capabilities across design, animation, storytelling and brand experiences.
Puertollano founded Rezonate, an award-winning creative studio recognized for its work across animation, motion design, brand storytelling and culturally driven creative campaigns. With two decades of building creative teams at Rezonate, he developed a reputation for creating work that connects deeply with audiences while helping brands navigate culture with authenticity and intention.
“Nico has built an incredible body of work and a creative practice rooted in curiosity, craft and cultural relevance,” said Justin Barnes, ECD and co-founder of Versus. “He brings a unique perspective as both a creative leader and entrepreneur, and we’re excited to welcome him to the team as we continue to grow and evolve the studio.”
At Versus, Puertollano will help lead the studio’s creative while working across its growing portfolio of brand, entertainment and innovation clients. His addition strengthens the studio’s team and expands its capabilities in animation, world-building, creative direction and cultural storytelling.
“Justin was one of the first people who encouraged me to embrace my identity as a Filipino immigrant and New Yorker, and to recognize the value that perspective could bring to both the work and the brands behind it. That advice stayed with me and helped shape the creative philosophy behind Rezonate,” shared Puertollano. “Versus has always been a studio I admired. Whenever we found ourselves on opposite sides of a pitch, I couldn’t help but respect the work, the culture, and what Filipinos would call the ‘angas’ of the studio, a confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you stand for. There was a fearlessness in what they built that always resonated with me. To now be joining a team I’ve respected for so long feels incredibly meaningful, and I’m excited for what we’ll create together.”
The appointment continues a period of significant growth for Versus as the studio expands its creative leadership team and invests in new capabilities. Recent additions, including Executive Creative Director Rosie Garschina, Executive Producer Kevin Anderson, and now Puertollano, reflect the studio’s commitment to bringing together top creative talent across design, entertainment, storytelling, production and innovation.
Together, these additions position Versus to meet growing demand from brands and entertainment companies seeking integrated creative partners capable of building experiences, campaigns and content that resonate across platforms and audiences.
