Mikhail Rakov

Chief Creative Director

Tastes like Blue – ARMENIA

Meet Mikhail Rakov, the accomplished Chief Creative Director renowned for his expertise in creative concepting and copywriting at Tastes like Blue agency, based in Armenia. With a unique academic background that includes two degrees in Architecture & Design and Art History, Mikhail initially set his sights on becoming an art director. However, his passion for storytelling led him to pursue a third degree in journalism, setting the stage for an illustrious career as a creative copywriter and storyteller.

Mikhail’s collaborative efforts have played a pivotal role in establishing the agency’s solid creative reputation. Incredibly, within just one year of the agency’s inception, they clinched their first prestigious Cannes Lion award, along with numerous other prizes and accolades at esteemed festivals across the globe. Beyond his work at the agency, Mikhail also contributes to various art-focused magazines where he pens compelling articles about contemporary art and conducts interviews with renowned artists, including Liu Bolin, Magnus Muhr, David Walker, Francoise Nielly, and many other luminaries.

With over 15 years of experience spanning advertising, design, branding, and digital domains, Mikhail possesses a diverse skill set that has yielded award-winning campaigns for both local and global clients. His impressive portfolio boasts collaborations with prominent brands such as MasterCard, T-Systems, DHL, UnicreditBank, Total, Scania, Auchan, Orange, and more. Notably, many of his works have earned prestigious international recognitions, such as Cannes Lions (2023/2017), Epica Awards (earning Russia’s first award for copywriting & storytelling), Luerzers Archive, Red Dot, Red Apple, KMRF, ADCR, White square, Idea, and various other distinguished honors.

Driven by his passion for creating meaningful impact, Mikhail took on an anti-war project following the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022. This poignant initiative garnered significant attention through influential opposition Russian media and newspapers, ultimately earning the project a coveted Bronze Lion at Cannes Lions 2023. However, as a consequence of his advocacy and work, Mikhail had to relocate from Russia to Armenia.

Mikhail Rakov’s unwavering commitment to creativity, storytelling, and meaningful projects continues to inspire and drive change, leaving an indelible mark on the world of advertising and beyond.