Creative Legends

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Ad Legends

Cheryl Berman

Leo Burnett, Unbundled

A legendary creative force behind iconic campaigns for Altoids, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, Hallmark, Disney, and more. The first female Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett, she is one of the most awarded women in advertising history who shaped global pop culture with bold ideas that built billion-dollar brands.

"Advertising touches people in a genuine way that drives both emotion and action."
Notable brands:
McDonald's
Hallmark
Disney
Coca-Cola
Proctor & Gamble
Ad Legends

Chuck Porter

Crispin Porter + Bogusky

Co-founder and former Chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the agency that fundamentally rewrote the rules of advertising. He is a master of creating culturally resonant, media-agnostic ideas that generate massive earned media and become pop culture phenomena. His work is defined by its provocative nature, audience interaction, and a relentless focus on creating things people actually find interesting.

"The only question that matters is, 'Is it interesting?'"
Notable brands:
Burger King
Truth Initiative
MINI
Domino's Pizza
Volkswagen
Ad Legends

Dave Metcalf

Ogilvy, Leap

A fearless creative leader who crafts bold, emotionally resonant campaigns that reject convention and spark cultural conversations. At Ogilvy, he was one of the original copywriters behind Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty which was voted the #1 Ad Campaign of the 21st Century.

"Think Biggerer. Because the only thing we’ll have left is big ideas that connect on an emotional level."
Notable brands:
Dove
Huggies
Jimmy Dean
Sargento
Chicago Blackhawks
Ad Legends

Donna Weinheim

Cliff Freeman, BBDO

A legendary advertising comedy master, best known for her Wendy's "Where's the Beef" and Little Caesars "Pizza Pizza" campaigns which became cultural phenomenons. She's created monumental work that has transformed advertising into a cinematic spectacle that has endured for decades.

"It's all about the work. The work is the only thing that matters."
Notable brands:
Wendy's
Pepsi
General Electric (GE)
Gillette
Visa
Ad Legends

Janet Champ

Wieden + Kennedy, BBH

A legendary copywriter and executive creative director forged in the fires of Wieden + Kennedy's golden era. One of the original writers behind Nike's "Just Do It" and "Let Me Play" campaigns, she is celebrated as both the "voice of women" and the voice of profound human truths wherever they lie.

"Find the real, unexpected, unspoken truth. Then give it a voice. The work comes first. Always."
Notable brands:
Nike Women
Stand Up To Cancer
ThirdLove
Under Armour
DocuSign
Ad Legends

Jimmy Smith

W+K, Amusement Park Entertainment

A visionary creative leader known for blending cultural authenticity, innovation, and storytelling across advertising, entertainment, and technology.

"If you want to be great, you’ve got to embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable."
Notable brands:
EA Sports
Gatorade
YouTube
JBL
Harlem Globetrotters
Ad Legends

Lewis Williams

Leo Burnett, Burrell

A masterful storyteller who uses advertising to foster empathy, celebrate diversity, and inspire change.

"There’s no better story than life itself."
Notable brands:
Walmart
Toyota
McDonald’s
Comcast
Ad Legends

Miguel Bemfica

McCann, AlmapBBDO

Miguel Bemfica is a globally-acclaimed creative leader with a rich Brazilian heritage and extensive international experience across five countries. He is renowned for his ability to craft engaging and unexpected campaigns that translate global brand platforms into culturally resonant local stories. A decorated creative and founder of the influential Escola Cuca, Bemfica is a master of integrated storytelling, consistently producing award-winning work across entertainment, technology, and brand experience.

"Bring brands to life in the most engaging and unexpected ways."
Notable brands:
Various (including Finance/Insurance)
Ad Legends

Ned Crowley

McgarryBowen, Leo Burnett

A famed creative director turned Hollywood film director who turns human truth into unforgettable stories – both with brands and on the big screen. He’s led iconic campaigns with a rare mix of heart, craft, and clarity. A master of distilling big emotions into simple, resonant ideas, he’s the quiet force behind some of advertising’s loudest work.

"Books, movies, ads, cave drawings….it all comes down to storytelling."
Notable brands:
Disney
Courtyard Marriott
Reeses
Budweiser
Ad Legends

Paul Lavoie

TAXI, Beau Lake

A Canadian advertising legend and visionary entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder and creative force behind TAXI, one of the most influential and awarded agencies of its time. He built an international creative powerhouse on the disruptive philosophy of "doubt," questioning conventional thinking to produce exceptional business results for clients.

"Doubt everything. It’s the most effective way to get to big new ideas."
Notable brands:
MINI
Viagra
Telus
Covenant House
Clear Channel
Ad Legends

Rick Boyko

Ogilvy, Chiat\Day

A legendary force in advertising, and a celebrated creative leader and educator who reshaped agency cultures by championing memorable advertising grounded in a brand’s truth. As Co-President, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy North America, he revitalized the agency with a relentless passion for big ideas and a perfectionist's eye for detail.

"It all starts with a passionate idea. The rest is the relentless pursuit of perfecting it."
Notable brands:
American Express
IBM
Dove
Nike
John Deere
Ad Legends

Steffan Postaer

Leo Burnett, Gyro

A master of smart, subversive storytelling—the kind that stops you, stings you, and stays with you. Known for turning irreverence into impact, he’s built brands with sharp wit, bold craft, and total cultural fluency. His work doesn’t follow trends—it makes them impossible to ignore.

""Most copywriters would be lucky if they created one truly iconic idea. So far I’ve made three.""
Notable brands:
Altoids
Oldsmobile
Barilla
Kraft
Valspar Paint
Ad Legends

Tom Burrell

Burrell Communications

A pioneering advertising creative leader and visionary founder of Burrell Communications, one of the world's top multicultural advertising agencies. He revolutionized the industry by championing authentic, insightful marketing to the African American community. His work dismantled stereotypes and established a new standard of excellence for culturally relevant and respectful advertising.

"We're all imbued with creative juices. Squeeze the juice. Don't let anything get left behind."
Notable brands:
McDonald's
Coca-Cola
Procter & Gamble
Ford
Ad Legends

Vince Cook

BBDO, Leo Burnett

The X-Factor of imagination. A revolutionary and boundary-pushing creative who transforms 'impossible' ideas into unforgettable brands.

"We’ve often been told it’s impossible and it can’t be done. With AI, there is only one reply to that, “Do what you can’t.”"
Notable brands:
Samsung
United Healthcare
McDonald's
Windex
The Art Institute