Dazed100

Nominee: Kevin David & Levis Novaes Business: KELE AG Location: Brazil KELE is an independent creative and cultural strategy agency, recognized for its powerful and multidisciplinary Black leadership. Founded in 2023 by Kevin David and Levis Novaes, also founders of MOOC — a pioneering black Brazilian collective that gave rise to several independent business units in creative industry — the agency stands out for developing integrated projects in the areas of influencer marketing, strategic communication, and brand experiences. Their portfolio includes renowned brands such as Nike, Meta, Levi's, Leão Tea (The Coca-Cola Company), Devassa and Fys (The Heineken Company). They also created Jantar Preto (which means "Black Dinner" in Portuguese), the most important premium experience exclusively for Black professionals within Brazil's creative economy & black-owned businesses, and MOOC100, a prestigious annual list highlighting 100 emerging Black creatives and entrepreneurs in Brazil. Kevin and Levis, collectively known as KeLe, were honored among the 100 most influential Black personalities in Lusophony in the 2023 edition of the Bantumen Powerlist 100. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keleagency Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kele.ag Media Coverage about KELE AG: Meio & Mensagem - October 2023: Mooc Agency is now KELE https://www.meioemensagem.com.br/comunicacao/mooc-agency-kele-ag Mundo Negro - October 2023: Pioneering Black advertising, MOOC Agency is renamed KELE AG: "We advocate for Black professionals to develop projects on all topics" https://mundonegro.inf.br/carreira-negocios/pioneira-em-publicidade-negra-mooc-agency-passa-a-se-chamar-kele-ag-ensinamos-que-profissionais-negros-desenvolvem-projetos-sobre-todos-os-assuntos/ Forbes Brazil - November 2023: Levis Novaes and Kevin David: Bridging Culture and Technology in the New Phase of MOOC https://forbes.com.br/forbes-tech/2023/11/levi-novaes-e-kevin-david-o-elo-entre-cultura-e-tecnologia-na-nova-fase-da-mooc/ ABOUT KEVIN DAVID (FOUNDER & CCO) Kevin David is a Creative Leader born in the Sapé favela, located in the West Zone of São Paulo, with over 9 years of experience in culture and community marketing. As an entrepreneur, he has worked on campaigns for brands such as Nike, Levi's Brasil, New Guards Group (Farfetch), Bradesco, TikTok, and Coca-Cola. He is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of KELE AG, an agency that translates culture into value for the industry, and he was one of the founders of MOOC, a pioneering collective of Black creatives in Brazil, where he served as Executive Producer for key film production clients. He has led fashion and luxury projects for clients such as Gilberto Gil, Zerezes, Arezzo, and Harper's Bazaar and has collaborated with brands like Givenchy, 7 For All Mankind, Itaú, Natura, Nike, Red Bull, and Budweiser. Recognitions and Awards: - In 2022, he was featured in Vozes 30, an award by Papel & Caneta recognizing him as one of the key voices transforming the communications industry. - Honored in the 2023 edition of the Bantumen Powerlist 100 as one of the most influential Black personalities in Lusophony. - Member of ForbesBLK. - Part of the Observatory of Diversity in Advertising, a sectoral entity that unites 30 Brazilian agencies committed to increasing representation in the communications industry. - Committee Member at Soho House São Paulo. - Featured in Forbes Life's The List as Artistic - Director and listed in Forbes Under 30 by Forbes Brasil. - Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Creative Leadership. Kevin has been a keynote speaker at events like Futuro Presente, RIO2C, Inova Natura, Espaço CC, and Iguatemi Talks Fashion with Dapper Dan. In 2017, he participated in a workshop with Virgil Abloh at JK Iguatemi in Brazil, acknowledged as one of the promising young talents in the creative industry and design. He has served as a jury member for awards such as the Brasil Design Award, Rap Genius, MOOC100, Globo Multishow, and Young Lions Brazil 2024, and made a special appearance in the Black Mirror episode "Striking Vipers" (S05E01). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-david-4a2430116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevindavale/ ABOUT LEVIS NOVAES (FOUNDER & CSO) Levis Novaes, is a Black man born in Jardim Brasil, a neighborhood in the North Zone of São Paulo City. With nearly 10 years of experience in the advertising industry, he has worked with companies like CPTM (Urban Transport Company), Rock Comunicação, R/GA, and FLAGCX. He specializes in building networks within creative communities and developing strategies that leverage narratives from emerging cultural landscapes, thereby contributing to innovative business models in Brazil. As a co-founder of the MOOC collective, he helped establish Brazil's first creative business ecosystem led by Black professionals. What started as a collective evolved into a company recognized by prestigious institutions such as the Webby Awards, Cannes Lions Awards, Forbes, and GQ, cited among the top 10 enterprises effectively leveraging technology and sustainability in business. Levis has contributed to business development, project strategies, and consultancy for global brands including Instagram, TikTok, Budweiser, Converse, Faber-Castell, Natura, L'Oréal, and Coca-Cola. Together with his partner Kevin David, Levis serves as Founder, and Chief Strategy Officer of KELE AG, a creative agency that translates culture into value for visionary brands. Jury Experience: He has served as a juror at prestigious events like the Wired Festival CreativeX, YouTube Works, Effie College Brasil, Prêmio Brasil Criativo, Multishow Award Academy, Marketing Best, and Festival Clube de Criação. Recognitions and Awards: 2021 - Featured in Forbes Under 30 for excellence in Marketing & Advertising. - Named one of the Top 10 Communication Professionals of 2021 by Meio & Mensagem. - Recognized in Meio & Mensagem 30 Under 30. 2022 - Member of Squad Chandon Brazil. - Nominated for the São Paulo State Government Award for the Arts in the Urban Culture category. 2023 - Nominated as Strategy Professional at the Caboré Awards, Brazil's most prestigious communications industry award. - Recognized as one of the 100 most influential Black personalities in Lusophony by Bantumen Powerlist100. - Inducted into the Brazilian Marketing Hall of Fame by Abramark (the Brazilian Marketing Academy). - Member of ForbesBLK 2024 - Founding Committee Member at Soho House São Paulo. - Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Creative Leadership. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levisnovaes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levisnovaes Email for contact: levis@kele.cx #Dazed100