TLDR: OpenAI has announced the appointment of Michael Tabtabai as its first Global Vice-President of Creative, a strategic move to bolster the company’s marketing, storytelling, and brand-building efforts. Tabtabai brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Coinbase and Google, and expressed excitement about joining the AI pioneer.
OpenAI, a global leader in artificial intelligence, has appointed Michael Tabtabai as its first Global Vice-President of Creative, a newly established role signaling the company’s heightened focus on marketing, brand building, and compelling storytelling. The appointment, announced on September 5, 2025, sees Tabtabai joining the AI giant after a distinguished career in advertising and brand leadership.
Tabtabai’s professional journey includes a recent tenure as VP Creative at cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he spent seven years at Google as Executive Creative Director, where he spearheaded significant campaigns such as ‘Year in Search,’ ‘Searching for an End to Racial Injustice,’ and ‘The Most Searched: A Celebration of Black History Makers.’ His extensive background also includes creative leadership positions at renowned agencies like Wieden+Kennedy Portland (2011-2015), Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Modernista!, and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. He has also worked as a freelance creative, photographer, and filmmaker.
This strategic hire underscores OpenAI’s commitment to expanding its global marketing and communications capabilities, particularly as the competition for talent intensifies within the generative AI sector. Tabtabai will be instrumental in developing a coherent, inclusive, and inspirational narrative to support OpenAI’s growth, both in technological impact and in fostering authentic relationships with users, partners, and stakeholders.
Confirming his new role in a LinkedIn post, Tabtabai expressed his enthusiasm: “I am very excited to begin this next chapter at OpenAI. (Re)uniting with Kate Rouch, Gary Briggs, Zach Stubenvoll, Sarah Russell, Ali Layng and so many others is a dream come true. It’s only been a few days and yet I’m already blown away by the people and the possibilities.” He joins a high-profile leadership team that includes Chief Marketing Officer Kate Rouch.
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Beyond his corporate achievements, Tabtabai is also the founder and chair of ‘Leave It On The Road,’ a non-profit organization established in 2013. This initiative raises funds for cancer charities through endurance cycling events and storytelling, having successfully raised over $100,000 for various non-profits across the U.S.
