Phillip Rubel

Throughout his career, Phillip has cultivated a unique combination of corporate and entrepreneurial skill sets applied to a broad range of consumer, luxury, technology, financial services and healthcare categories. He enjoys multicultural and multinational environments having worked extensively in Canada, the US and Japan and having responsibilities for Asian markets and global assignments. Expertise includes growing existing entities and brands to their next level and igniting start-ups that disrupt the status quo. Phillip believes that the future success for brands and businesses converge at the intersection of behavioral insight, creativity and scaling technology.

Phillip is currently managing partner and senior advisor of Song Sparrow Advisory, a firm he founded in April 2021, helping brands and boards achieve their goals by combining technology, creativity and digital marketing expertise engaging a global network of SMEs.

Phillip most recently served as director of marketing and communications at Philip Morris International in Tokyo, driving the business transformation to reduced risk products. Was previously a Partner, Innovation & Insights at KPMG where he was responsible for launching and leading two new business units creating the firm’s future in business transformation, analytics, AI and digital solutions.

Before KPMG, Phillip was managing and representative director at Designit Tokyo. In addition to leading Japan, Phillip was responsible for Asia Pacific activities and expansion opportunities and was also a member of the Global Executive Board.

In 2003, Phillip co-founded the Japan office of Saatchi & Saatchi Fallon Tokyo, becoming CEO and representative director. In addition to CEO responsibilities, Phillip also founded the agency’s planning and consulting practice.

Phillip’s career experience also includes chief operating officer of McCann Erickson Worldgroup Japan; founding president and CEO of Beacon Communications (Leo Burnett) in Japan; EVP Leo Burnett USA; co-founder and MD of Rubel & Schwab Communications in Canada. Phillip began his career in Montreal with Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, quickly rising through progressive sales and marketing positions.

Phillip serves on a variety of community and industry associations, is a frequent guest lecturer on marketing and a trustee for HOPE International. Phillip is a member of the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business International Advisory Board and an Adjunct Professor. He currently serves as Executive-In-Residence at Gustavson.