(People)
“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 (they/them), 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
“Léon has the amazing ability to create work that’s sharp enough to cut through, but generous enough to bring people with him.”
– Angela Watson, CEO of Colenso BBDO
(Recognition)
#4 Art Director in the world Cannes Lions Talent Rankings
#1 Art Director in New Zealand One Club 
Creative Rankings
Campaign Asia: 40 under 40
Cannes Lions: 30 under 30 Creative Academy
D&AD Ones to Watch / Portfolio Pick
High Potential Art Directors Club *Europe
Cannes Lions Ambassador 2024
Cannes Can: Diversity Collective
Emergent Icon Winner
Ngaa Tohu Matihiko Awards
Underrespresented Scholarship
The Audacious School of Astonishing Pursuits
(Experience)
Colenso BBDO, Auckland
Jr. Art Director
Royal College of Arts, Online
Editorial Design
DDB 14, Barcelona
Jr. Art Director
Media Design School, Auckland
Creative Advertising
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington
Cultural Anthropology & Theatre
+
Cannes Lions Creative Academy
D&AD New Blood Academy
Useful School
The Audacious School of Astonishing Pursuits
(Awards)
Cannes Lions
Grand Prix (x1), Gold (x2), Silver (x4), Bronze (x2)
D&AD
Yellow (x2), Wood (x2)
One Show
Gold (x1), Bronze (x2)
Awwwards
Site of the Day (x1), Developer Award (x1)
London International Awards
Grand Prix (x1), Gold (x4)
Best Awards
Gold (x1) Silver (x4), Bronze (x1)
Axis Awards
Gold (x7), Silver (x5), Bronze (x4)
Mad Stars
Grand Prix (x2), Gold (x4), Silver (x3), Bronze (x1), 
Crystal (x1)
Effies
Gold (x3), Silver (x2)
Clios
Gold (x2), Silver (x1)
Spikes
Grand Prix (x2), Gold (x3), Bronze (x1)
Caples
Gold (x1), Silver (x2), Bronze (x2)
(Judging + Speaking)
International Federation of Actors (FIA)
Panel Speaker
Te Hapori Matihiko
Guest Speaker
Diversity Works NZ
Panel Speaker
The King’s Trust
Panel Speaker
Media Design School
Guest Speaker
95bFM
Guest Speaker
Victoria University of Wellington
Guest Speaker
Show Me Shorts Film Festival
Programme Judge
(Press)
Campaign Asia
40 Under 40 2025: Léon Bristow, Colenso BBDO and Beings
Lions Daily News
CC:DC ambassadors here to spread the word on diversity
Chris Lynch Media
Top honours awarded to leaders shaping New Zealand’s digital future
Cannes Lions 
Léon Bristow: ”The dopamine hits are worth the grind”
M+AD
From culture to community, Léon Bristow makes his mark in Campaign’s 40 Under 40 2025
D&AD
A junior creative on forging his career after New Blood Academy
Campaign Brief
Cannes Lions 2024 Recap: Léon Bristow
Radio New Zealand
The Māori-Samoan Art Director championing diversity
(Contact)
Let’s talk.
bristo.leon@gmail.com