Rob Davis is Chief Digital Innovation Officer at MSL, where he leads the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence, spanning creator partnerships, digital strategy, development, and emerging technology. He joined Publicis Groupe in 2022 after senior roles at Gannett, MTV Networks, IFC and AMC Networks, and Ogilvy.
Over three decades in entertainment, advertising, and public relations, Rob has made a habit of getting to what’s next early. He launched MTV’s webRIOT, the world’s first interactive TV game show, and developed the strategy behind IBM’s landmark digital film A Boy and His Atom. Today his work focuses on how brands earn reputation, discoverability and recommendation with both audiences that matter: people and the AI systems that increasingly answer for them.
He has been named to the PRWeek Dashboard/AI 25 a record four years running [(2023–2026)] and to the PRovoke Media Innovator 25. A frequent speaker, Rob has appeared at SXSW, VidCon, Google Firestarters, and IAB events across North America and Europe.
Rob holds a BA from the University of Scranton and an MS in TV/Radio/Film from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, where he was later inducted into the alumni Wall of Fame.
Career History
MSL (Publicis)
Chief Digital Innovation Officer
2022 – Present
Ogilvy
Head of Digital Innovation
Executive Director, Content Marketing
Executive Director, Advanced Video
Interactive Marketing Director
2008-2022
IFC & AMC TV Networks
Rainbow Media
VP, Digital
2003 – 2007
Gartner
Executive Producer
2002-2003
Spiderdance
Executive Producer
2000-2001
MTV Networks
Executive Producer, Convergence (experimental programming)
1998-2000
Gannett/In Jersey
Content Manager
1994-1998
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication
Syracuse University
MS TV/Radio/Film
1993
University of Scranton
BS Communications/English
1990
Industry LEADERSHIP
Rob named to PR Week AI/Dashboard 25 for fourth consecutive year
I am deeply grateful to be named to the PRWeek AI 25 (formerly Dashboard 25) list for the fourth year in a row. I appreciate the individual acknowledgment and see it as the next paragraph in a much bigger story being written in collaboration with my colleagues at MSL. From clear vision at the top to our energizing group of early-career professionals, this recognition reflects the agency’s shared commitment to forward thinking and meaningful innovation.
Congratulations to everyone named to the Class of 2026. It is an honor to be included alongside you.
THought Leadership
Rob Featured in IPR Digital Adoption Report
It was a pleasure to participate in the new Institute for Public Relations report THE COMMUNICATOR’S ROLE IN DRIVING GENERATIVE AI ADOPTION released in February 2026.
Industry LEADERSHIP
Rob Returns as Co-Chair of the PR Council Digital Community & Guests on the “AI Loves PR” Podcast
I am deeply grateful to be named to the PRWeek AI 25 (formerly Dashboard 25) list for the fourth year in a row. I appreciate the individual acknowledgment and see it as the next paragraph in a much bigger story being written in collaboration with my colleagues at MSL. From clear vision at the top to our energizing group of early-career professionals, this recognition reflects the agency’s shared commitment to forward thinking and meaningful innovation.
Congratulations to everyone named to the Class of 2026. It is an honor to be included alongside you.
THought Leadership
Rob Guests On The Trending Communicator Podcast
In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle welcomes award-winning digital innovator, public speaker, and agency executive Rob Davis, the Chief Digital Innovation Officer at MSL, for an engaging conversation on the future of communications and marketing.
Industry LEADERSHIP
Rob Named to PRovoke Media “Innovator 25” 2022
The 10th annual Innovator 25 class in the Americas features some of PR’s most forward-looking thinkers, individuals taking the lead, and the risk, in advancing the industry through ingenuity at a time when the winds of change of demand it.
INDUSTRY Leadership
Rob Named to Business Insider Top Gaming/Esports Marketing Execs 2022
Business Insider identified the top 31 execs who are working to find new opportunities for advertisements in video games. They come from ad agencies, new startups, video game developers like Roblox, and brands like Chipotle and Bud Light. We chose these individuals through our own original reporting and nominations.
