Joel Rodriguez is the Head of Context Planning at Translation, where he has spent 15 years helping shape culture-first strategy from the ground up. An intern-turned-executive, he leads a discipline focused on world-building around ideas and bringing them to life through the times, places, and people where audiences are most receptive.

In 2025, he was honored as part of Ad Age’s 40 Under 40, recognizing leaders shaping the future of marketing and media. His work sits at the intersection of strategy, creative, and culture, guiding award-winning work that shows up with nuance and intention. Joel has led go-to-market strategy for brands across various industries, helping ideas travel meaningfully through culture while driving commercial impact.

Outside of work, Joel is an independent hip-hop artist with a global audience and serves as an adjunct professor at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, where he mentors the next generation of marketers and creatives.