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Ross Chowles is a stalwart of the South African advertising industry, and a globally respected creative educator. As the co-founder of The Jupiter Drawing Room (Cape Town), he helped build one of Africa's most awarded independent agencies, known for its irreverent, punchy, and visually distinct work. He is currently shaping the next generation of creatives as a Professor of Practice at Michigan State University, celebrated for his "no-bullshit" approach to creativity and his unwavering belief in the power of simplicity. Ross began his career as an Art Director in the 1980s, working in a socially complex South Africa. After stints at agencies like Young & Rubicam, he co-founded The Jupiter Drawing Room (Cape Town) in 1994—the same year South Africa became a democracy. Under his creative leadership, the agency grew from a startup into a creative powerhouse, consistently ranking among the top creative agencies in the Southern Hemisphere. His work has been recognized at The One Show, Cannes Lions, D&AD, and the Clio Awards, and he served on the International Board of Directors for The One Club for Creativity. The Jupiter Drawing Room was named Agency of the Year multiple times during his tenure, and the agency was one of only two South African shops ever featured in D&AD's landmark 40-year retrospective annual. At Ad Legends Academy, Ross brings his signature practitioner's lens to one of the most overlooked yet career-defining skills in the creative industry: building a portfolio that actually gets you hired. Drawing on decades of reviewing portfolios as an ECD, his board-level perspective from The One Club, and his front-row seat watching students make every possible mistake as a professor, Ross teaches a ruthlessly practical, no-gimmicks framework—his 10 Golden Rules—for crafting a digital portfolio that commands attention, communicates clearly, and converts opportunity. His philosophy is simple: great work deserves to be seen, and a great portfolio is how you make that happen. Ross is also a passionate advocate for the "rounded creative"—someone whose hobbies, obsessions, and life experiences are just as important as their campaign work. He once hired someone whose hobby was making Play-Doh versions of album covers. He has no regrets.
