RQ is made up of not just award-winning creatives, strategists and producers, but also incredibly passionate marketers who bring their own unique experience to the agency.
Brian Salzman - CEO, Founder
Brian Salzman is the Founder and CEO of RQ, a creative agency built on the science of relationships and the art of cultural influence. A 20-year industry veteran, Brian has reimagined how brands earn relevance through his pioneering approach to “relationship marketing.” Today, RQ’s award-winning work and its proprietary Reaction Engine™, an AI-powered trend-spotting tool, help global brands like YouTube, Abbott, Papa Johns, HBO, and Vrbo navigate the ever-changing landscape of culture and influence.
David Blaser - Managing Director
David is a seasoned marketing leader with deep experience across both agency and brand-side roles, where he has helped shape some of the world’s most iconic brands. From PlayStation and Nike to Call of Duty and Adidas, he has led integrated campaigns that live at the intersection of culture, creativity, and technology. David is passionate about telling stories that connect with people, whether through sports, entertainment, gaming, or pop culture, and thrives in environments where curiosity, innovation, and hustle are part of the DNA.
Damien Cortese - EVP, Client Strategy
As EVP of Strategy & Growth at RQ, Damien helps brands stay culturally relevant through video content and experiences. He has created impactful programs for Fortune 500 companies, leading T Brand Studio at The New York Times and working on campaigns for HP, L’Oréal, and Salesforce. Previously, at WPP NY, he developed award-winning content for GE, Marriott, and Amex. A former litigation attorney and Teach for America corps member in Brooklyn, he now lives in Los Angeles, far from his childhood home in Montauk, NY. Damien is a proud dad to Renza and Louie.
Laura Keller - Head of Talent
Laura guides organizational strategy, talent acquisition, operations, and resourcing. She began in account management at Arnold and Dentsu, leading teams, and producing award-winning work for brands like Nestlé, Disney, and Hasbro—experiences that shaped her belief that strong teams are the foundation of exceptional work. She later served as Head of Talent at Fallon, and co-founded the national executive search firm Pixie Dust. Drawing on this blend of agency leadership, talent strategy, and search experience, she helps RQ create teams and systems that empower people, foster collaboration, and drive innovative results.
Carl Stevens - Head of Entertainment
As the Head of Entertainment for RQ, Carl and his team are responsible for providing cutting-edge, immersive and fan-centric experiences that drive viewership. While helping clients such as HBO, Warner Discovery, FX, Hulu, and Showtime grow their properties for a global audience, Carl has a deep understanding of technology and marketing strategy. An established leader in the entertainment marketing industry, he has a demonstrated history of designing and leading world-class, award-winning campaigns for the largest brands and titles in streaming and entertainment.
Desiree Ashe-Bradford - Head of Production
As Head of Production, Experiential at RQ, Desiree brings deep production experience across live events, immersive brand activations, and cultural programming. Her career spans experiential marketing, hospitality, and entertainment, including work for global brands such as Anheuser-Busch, Tao Group, YouTube, and USATF.
From stadium scale events and major tentpoles to bespoke experiences, Desiree is known for pairing creative thinking with thoughtful production strategy and high level execution. She is passionate about building strong teams and creating experiences that shape culture, bring people together, and move brands forward.
Jordan Imbrey - Head of Production, Content
Jordan brings a breadth of experience as a producer/director/editor to the team. After starting in film/tv, he cut his teeth with BuzzFeed in the height of its virality. He has independently produced longform, social, and mini-doc content for a host of partners, and has shepherded marketing for entertainment properties and a wide variety of brand clients through his inhouse work at a film/tv co and at creative agencies. He thrives on illuminating creative solutions and systems to bring his colleagues and clients’ visions to life.
Rachel Yanovski - Creative Director
As Creative Director at RQ, Rachel brings over a decade of ad agency experience. She has worked with brands including Twitch, Marvel, Jeep, Netflix, The NFL, and Bud Light to create and evolve their identities with industry-leading creative campaigns. Her award-winning work spans from Super Bowl commercials to Snap games, viral tweets to immersive experiences. Formerly, she led creative at Trailer Park, 160over90, The Mill, and Tiny Wins. Career highlights include developing Under Armour’s first campaign focused on athlete mental health and launching Israel’s “Beyond Belief” tourism campaign.
Sara Waud - Account Director
Sara Waud is an experienced Account Director with 13 years in social media creative strategy and account oversight for global brands. She began her career with a focus in travel and hospitality clients, expanding into verticals that include tech, QSR restaurants, and consumer products. Example clients include Google, DoorDash, JW Marriott, Sephora, and Papa Johns. At RQ, she currently oversees projects spanning always-on brand social media, influencer campaign management, and culture-driving brand activation.
Kelly Shryock - Account Director
Kelly Shryock is an Account Director with more than 10 years of experience shaping social media and influencer campaigns for some of today’s most recognized brands. She has partnered on initiatives with companies like YouTube, Pizza Hut, and e.l.f. Cosmetics, bringing a mix of strategy and creativity to connect brands with creators in meaningful ways. Known for her strategic insight and collaborative leadership, Kelly is dedicated to cultivating partnerships that feel authentic, elevate storytelling, and strengthen audience connections.
Natalie Bui - Account Director
Natalie brings over 11 years of experience as an Account Director, partnering with brands across CPG, health and wellness, and highly regulated life science sectors that include pharma, biotech, and medical devices. With a diverse agency background spanning shopper, experiential, and AOR business, she is a versatile relationship-builder who drives business growth. Natalie specializes in leading social. Past clients include California Lottery, Nature Made, AstraZeneca, Amgen, and Abbott. Outside of work, she enjoys going off the grid and is usually in the mountains, at the beach, or out at sea.
Danielle Lankford - Operations Director
As Director of Operations at RQ, Danielle plays a pivotal role in driving the agency’s success. She manages resource allocation, HR functions, and accounting operations, all while cultivating a vibrant and collaborative company culture. A Los Angeles native, Danielle earned her degree in Cultural Studies from New York University, with a focus on Media and the Entertainment Industry. Prior to joining RQ, Danielle was on the public relations team at Endeavor-owned talent agency, The Wall Group. She also has a passion for real estate, and is licensed with Compass Beverly Hills. On the weekends, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Roman and Enzo.