Rick Cosgrove is a multidisciplinary designer, entrepreneur, and marketing executive known for his contributions to both experiential branding and independent horology. Based in Chicago, Cosgrove has built a career centered on the intersection of strategy, experience design, and aesthetic innovation. He currently serves as the Chief Experience Officer and President of Agency EA, a global brand experiential marketing agency, and is the co-founder and lead designer of Sō Labs, a watch brand recognized for its unconventional and colorful design language.
Cosgrove’s professional foundation is rooted in architecture and design. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. During his early career, he gained international experience as a designer at prominent firms, including Kengo Kuma and Associates and Sou Fujimoto Atelier in Paris, as well as Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. His time in Japan and Europe significantly influenced his design philosophy, fostering an appreciation for minimalism and the meticulous attention to detail found in Japanese culture. He later pursued further education, completing a Master of Business Administration in Marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
In 2010, Cosgrove joined Agency EA, where he held various leadership roles, including Executive Creative Director and Design Director, before becoming President. During his tenure, he was instrumental in launching and scaling the agency’s creative department into a team of over 40 professionals. He has led strategic and creative operations for high-profile clients such as Google, Samsung, Hilton, and the Obama Foundation. His work in the marketing sector focuses on turning complex brand identities into immersive, high-energy physical and digital experiences.
In late 2019, Cosgrove channeled his lifelong passion for collecting vintage objects into the founding of Sō Labs Watch Co. As a collector of mid-century furniture, lighting, and timepieces since the age of 15, he sought to create a brand that prioritized visual enjoyment and experimental design over traditional horological conventions. The brand name, Sō, is derived from the Japanese word for layer (層), reflecting the transparent layering of discs and colors that define the watches’ dials. Under his creative leadership, Sō Labs has gained a following in the independent watch community for its “neo-vintage” aesthetics, logo-free dials, and the use of bold Pantone color combinations.
Beyond his primary professional roles, Cosgrove is active in the business and nonprofit communities. He has served as the co-chair for the ANA Experiential Marketing Committee and holds board positions for organizations such as Avenues to Independence and the Notre Dame College Prep Alumni Board. He also co-hosts the Experiential Alchemy Podcast, where he discusses trends and insights within the brand experience industry. Through his various ventures, Rick Cosgrove continues to emphasize the importance of creative problem-solving and the integration of diverse cultural influences into modern design and marketing.