FORBES

Forbes 30 Under 30

NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR

Young New Zealander of
the Year Finalist (1 of 3)

D&AD

Ones to Watch

ART DIRECTORS CLUB * EUROPE

High Potential

CANNES LIONS RANKINGS

#4 Art Director in the world

WARC

#1 Most Awarded Campaign
for Media in the World 2023

CANNES LIONS

30under30: Creative Academy

CAMPAIGN ASIA

40 Under 40

‍If there were a middle-ground between Art Direction, Graphic Design, Fashion, Anthropology, and Entrepreneurship, I’d be somewhere there.

Born in France and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand. As an indigenous creative, I’m a big believer in supporting our historically marginalised communities and building environments that foster growth, belonging, audacity, and excellence.

Early in my career I was named a D&AD New Blood “Ones’ to Watch”, before being ranked the 4th Best Art Director in the world at Cannes Lions, and the first New Zealander in a decade accepted into the Cannes Lions Creative Academy. This year, I was named a Forbes 30 Under 30.

In my spare time I’ve been rejected from drama school six times. Hit a four year streak on Duolingo. Received a standing ovation. Forgotten a language. Been granted a wish. Raised over $100k in philanthropy funding. Acted in a Scarlett Johansson movie. And, never liked coffee.

COLENSO BBDO

Art Director

CANNES LIONS

Creative Academy

THE AUDACIOUS SCHOOL OF ASTONISHING PURSUITS

Creative Megamachine

C14TORCE

Global Jr. Art Director

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ARTS

Editorial Design

MEDIA DESIGN SCHOOL

Creative Advertising

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON
& STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, NP

Cultural Anthropology
& Theatre

EXPERIENCE

CANNES LIONS

Grand Prix (1)
Gold (2)
Silver (4)
Bronze (2)

D&AD

Yellow (2)
Wood (2)

ONE SHOW

Gold (1)
Bronze (2)

AWWWARDS

Site of the Day (1)
Developer Award (1)

CLIOS

Gold (2)
Silver (1)

LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Grand Prix (1)
Gold (4)

EFFIE

Gold (3)
Silver (2)

SPIKES

Grand Prix (2)
Gold (3)
Bronze (1)

AWARDS

SELECT BRANDS

Under Armour
Sony Pictures
Samsung
Google
Disney
All Blacks
NZ Fashion Week
Mars
Volkswagen

SELECT SPEAKING

International Federation of Actors
Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
Art Directors Club *Europe
Indigenous Tech Summit
The Kings Trust
Auckland University of Technology
Victoria University of Wellington
Diversity Works NZ
University of Auckland

AND SOME

Show Me Shorts Festival Judge
LIAsons Mentee
Useful School
Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
Axis Awards Shadow Judge Student Job Search Board
Rainbow Equity Board


SELECT PRESS

Forbes
Lions Daily News
D&AD
Radio New Zealand

Little Black Book
Campaign Asia
M+AD
Listener

Te Ao Māori News

“If you want a creative that will just get the job done and not push any boundaries then Léon isn't for you. He has the great ability to find true insights and turn them into eyeball grabbing ideas that are beautifully crafted.” — Haylie Craig, Associate Creative Director at LEGO

“Léon has a natural instinct for effortlessly marrying provocation with incisive, clever, culturally grounded, witty, and chic editorial design. A smile in the mind. As his coach, it’s been a pleasure to see him grow and refine his concepts. A perfect poach.” — Ritesh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Useful School