Rita Thomas, Founder & CEO at 110 North

CEO RITA’S BIO
Rita Thomas is a trailblazing producer and marketing strategist whose expertise lies in crafting narratives that don't just engage—they spark action. With over 15 years of experience shaping brand stories, she has led high-impact campaigns for industry giants like Walgreens Co., Harpo Productions, Ally Financial, and SiriusXM—leveraging strategy, storytelling, and community to drive measurable success.

Learning from Oprah herself and solidifying her belief in storytelling as a catalyst for meaningful change, Thomas played a pivotal role in transforming entrepreneurial talent into household names, creating impactful connections that resonated across television and radio. Her ability to blend insight, strategy, and creativity has positioned her as a sought-after marketing thought leader, trusted by brands across CPG, tech, entertainment, and government sectors to create campaigns that put people at the center.

Thomas’ impact as a leader and changemaker continues to earn recognition. In 2025, she was nominated for the Crowns of Enterprise Awards, a testament to 110 North's strategic leadership and measurable impact. She was also honored in Who's Who in Black Charlotte (2024) for her influence in shaping industries and communities through the power of storytelling. Spotlighted as a visionary leader, Thomas was featured in Know Magazine's "On the Rise: Bold Women, Big Impact," recognizing her as a maven redefining the future of businesses and storytelling.

Thomas isn’t just elevating brands—she’s shaping the way we tell stories. With a genuine belief that storytelling is the key to connection, her impact speaks volumes in the numbers and results she delivers, consistently exceeding expectations and setting new standards for what’s possible.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today on iHeartMedia's CEOs you should know it's Rita Thomas,
CEO of one ten North through Creative Agency embracing the
power of storytelling behind advertising.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Yes, storytelling. Storytelling is at the core of I would
say first, who I am? I grew up as the
child of a Ghanaian father who is learning to perfect
his English, and so oftentimes he would walk around the
house repeating the things that he was hearing on the
radio or on the news, and I just thought it

(00:30):
was fascinating that these stories that people were telling were
informing us, but also they were giving my debt the
confidence that he needed to go out into the world
and communicate effectively. And when we talk about advertising, how
can we tell a story, tell it well and make
sure that we are authentic in that story telling, And

(00:52):
how can we communicate with them in a way that
is authentic, not that feels authentic, but that is authentic.

Speaker 1 (00:59):
How about the creativity of Charlotte in.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
General, I think that Charlotte is a great place to
be as a creative I feel very honored and in
some ways privileged to have started a creative agency and
to have it be here in Charlotte. But We've been
very intentional about focusing on work that helps to improve

(01:22):
our communities.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
Rita Thomas, CEO of one to ten North, on iHeartMedia's
CEOs You Should Know