(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

Semi-Finalist Young New Zealander of the Year
New Zealander of the Year (results tbc)

#1 Art Director in New Zealand
One Club Creative Rankings

40 under 40
Campaign Asia

30 under 30 Creative Academy
Cannes Lions

Ones to Watch / Portfolio Pick
D&AD New Blood

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)

BEINGS, Aotearoa
Founder + Director

Colenso BBDO, Auckland
Art Director

30 under 30 Creative Academy
Cannes Lions

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

+

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

(Contact)

Let’s talk.

bristo.leon@gmail.com