When a fast-scaling AI startup recruits the person who helped build one of the most recognizable B2B brands in the world, it signals more than just a leadership hire — it signals a coming-of-age moment. That’s the story behind OpenArt AI’s appointment of Scott Larson, the former Global Head of Brand and Creative at Salesforce, as its new Vice President of Brand Marketing & Creative. The move lands as the company approaches a milestone that would put it in rare company among consumer AI platforms.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — OpenArt AI, the all-in-one AI creative platform and AI video generator serving more than 8 million monthly active users, has named Scott Larson as its new Vice President of Brand Marketing & Creative. Larson arrives after helping guide Salesforce’s evolution into one of the most recognized B2B brands globally, leading brand and creative initiatives during a stretch of major growth and innovation, including the company’s expansion into artificial intelligence. Before his time at Salesforce, Larson served in creative leadership roles at Facebook and lent his talents to campaigns and brand work for iconic names like Nike, Gatorade, Levi’s, Major League Baseball, and Call of Duty.
This appointment underscores OpenArt’s ongoing investment in senior leadership as it pushes forward in both consumer and enterprise arenas. Larson joins at a moment of rapid expansion: the company has scaled from zero to nearly $200 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in under two years, with projections to surpass $250 million before year’s end. The growth trajectory has been matched internally — headcount has jumped 300%, from 20 to 80 employees over the past year. The company also earned a spot in the 2026 Disney Accelerator program, launched Director this summer — a storytelling platform that introduced “vibe directing” to creators, marketers, filmmakers, and enterprises — and unveiled OpenArt Arena, a first-of-its-kind benchmark for comparing the growing field of AI video and image models. On top of that, OpenArt ranked No. 12 on Andreessen Horowitz’s Top 50 Consumer AI Apps by Monthly Revenue list, placing it among the highest-grossing consumer AI platforms on the market.
“OpenArt has reached an incredibly exciting inflection point,” said Coco Mao, CEO and Co-Founder of OpenArt. “We have grown from an idea into a platform used by millions of creators, while rapidly expanding our business, team, and product offerings. As we enter our next phase of growth, we wanted a leader who understands how to build iconic brands, tell compelling stories, and help define entirely new categories. Scott’s experience helping elevate Salesforce into one of the world’s leading B2B brands makes him uniquely positioned to help tell the OpenArt story on a global scale.”
Larson brings more than two decades of experience building and scaling some of the most recognizable brands in the world. At Salesforce, he helped shape global brand and creative strategy as the company solidified its leadership position in enterprise software and AI. He was instrumental in crafting the creative vision for Dreamforce, Salesforce’s flagship annual event, and expanded the company’s footprint at major industry gatherings such as Cannes Lions. His global campaigns contributed to Salesforce’s standing as one of the most respected B2B brands worldwide.
Before Salesforce, Larson held senior creative leadership roles at Facebook and spent over two decades helping brands connect with audiences through storytelling and marketing. His portfolio spans globally recognized organizations including Nike, Gatorade, Levi’s, Major League Baseball, and Call of Duty.
“I’ve spent my career helping tell stories about products. Now I get to work on a product that helps people tell stories,” said Larson. “I was already using OpenArt before joining the company and saw firsthand how transformative the platform can be for creators. As I evaluated my next opportunity, OpenArt stood out because of the product, the team, and the incredible momentum behind the business. The opportunity to help shape the brand behind one of the most exciting companies in AI was impossible to pass up.”
Larson’s arrival follows another notable executive addition earlier this year: Raj Gajwani, a former Google executive who had been serving as an OpenArt advisor, investor, and board member, joined as Chief Business Officer to lead the company’s growing enterprise and business operations.
About OpenArt
OpenArt is an AI creative platform used by more than 8 million monthly active users to bring visual stories to life. Founded by former Google engineers Coco Mao and John Qiao and headquartered in San Francisco, OpenArt has grown from $0 to close to $200 million ARR in less than two years. In 2026, the company was selected for the Disney Accelerator program, launched Director, a breakthrough storytelling tool that enables users to create cinematic-quality videos through conversation alone, and introduced OpenArt Arena, a first-of-its-kind benchmark designed to help creatives evaluate AI video and image models.
Why it matters: Bringing in a brand leader of Larson’s caliber signals that OpenArt is shifting from pure product velocity to brand-building — a critical step for any company aiming to cement itself as a category-defining name in AI. With revenue approaching $200 million and a consumer base in the millions, the company’s next challenge isn’t just growth, but identity. A proven hand at shaping how the world perceives a brand could be the difference between being a tool and being a household name.
OpenArt PR Team
OpenArt AI
openart@dkcnews.com
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