Vincent J. Sainato, a graphic designer whose ad campaign for Rent Avenue Q helped launch those musicals as long-running Broadway stalwarts, died Jan. 8 in Ipswich, Massachusetts, following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 55.
Sainato has a long career in visual designing that spans more than 25-years and includes television and stage (including branding campaigns for MTV and Comedy Central), and is often credited with helping to establish a new era for Broadway marketing.
Sainato, who was Art Director at SpotCo in 2002, created a highly successful Tony Award campaign to promote the dark horse musical. Avenue Q. The funny puppet musical won many Tonys in 2004, including Best Musical. Wicked AndCaroline, or Change
Sainato spearheaded other campaigns that helped to make Broadway memorable brandsRent in The Heights Billy ElliotRebirths and improvements to Chicago AndWest Side Story.
2013 saw Sainato become Vice President of Creative Services for Serino Coyne. He was responsible for shows like The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera are Wicked and The Lion King. And Dear Evan Hansen.
Sainato moved with Martin Ruzicka to Ipswich, where he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. They had a New York City home where Sainato established Vinny J. Sainato Creative Consulting. It provides art direction and marketing. Six, The PromThe Emerson Colonial Theatre, The Huntington Theatre.
Sainato participated in 237 Tony Awards winning productions, including 72 Best Musicals & Best Plays.
Ruzicka and Vincent, his parents Kay, Vincent, and Darrin, are his survivors.
The family requests that donations be made to Stand up to Cancer instead of flowers.