- Comment: This appears to focus on casting Aaron Starkman in a positive light which is contrary to the purpose of Wikipedia. Please re-write this draft in a neutral point of view. I'd also suggest the submitter do 2 additional things: Review Wikipedia:References for beginners, since all references are bare URLs; and identify on the talk page (click me) the 3 sources they believe are reliable, independent, and provide significant coverage of Aaron Starkman. —Sirdog (talk) 20:04, 2 February 2024 (UTC)
Aaron Starkman is a Canadian advertising executive who is currently the Global Chief Creative Officer at Rethink.[1] Starkman was named Creative Leader of the Year by Campaign Magazine in 2021[2] and was ranked among the top five Chief Creative Officers at the Ad Age 2022 Creativity Awards.[3] In 2019, Ad Age recognized Starkman as one of its 100 most fascinating people in marketing, media and culture in its Creative 100 List.[4] Starkman has also been listed on Campaign Magazine's prestigious 40 Over 40 list.[5]
Early life
Starkman was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from York University where he studied psychology. While initially interested in pursuing law, after a chance encounter with an acquaintance working in law before writing his LSATs, Starkman decided to deviate from law and explore a career in advertising.[6]
Career
Starkman began his advertising career at Young and Rubicam as a copywriter.[7]
In 2002, Starkman joined Zig (acquired by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in July 2010[8]), where he was appointed as Chief Creative Officer in 2010.[9] Following Zig’s acquisition by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in 2010, Starkman was named Executive Creative Director of Crispin Porter and Bogusky Canada.[10]
As Creative Director, Starkman helped the agency win a number of accolades, including the Cannes Lion Film Gold for Vim 'Prison Visitor' 2004,[11] the Cannes Lions Media Gold for Scream TV 2007,[12] and the Cannes Lion Radio Gold for IKEA 'Low Voices' in 2008.[13]
In 2012, Starkman left Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada and joined Rethink as Creative Director and Partner.[14] In November 2020 he was named National Chief Creative Officer,[15] which was followed by his appointment to Rethink’s Global Chief Creative Officer in December 2021.[16]
Under his direction as Chief Creative Officer, Rethink has been recognized for numerous advertising accolades, including:
- Ad Age A-List Creative Agency of the Year 2021[17] and 2023[18]
- Effie Canada Agency of the Year 2022[19]
- Campaign Magazine Global Independent Agency of the Year 2022[20]
- One Show #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023[21]
- Cannes #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023[22]
- Cannes #3 Independent Agency of the Year 2020/2021[23] and 2022[24]
- Strategy Magazine Agency of the Year for five consecutive years (2019,[25] 2020,[26] 2021,[27] 2022[28] 2023.[29])
Aaron frequently serves as a judge for advertising award shows including Cannes, the Clios and the One Show.
Notable works
In the course of his time at Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada (formerly Zig), Aaron was a major contributor to the highly awarded Vim ‘Prison Visitor’[30] and IKEA ‘Low Voices’[31] advertising campaigns.
In his time at Rethink, Aaron has been a major contributor to some of the agency’s most decorated campaigns, including the Molson Canadian Global Beer Fridge,[32] ‘Unburnable Book’ for Penguin Random House,[33] the Heinz ‘Draw Ketchup’ campaign,[34] the Heinz ‘Ketchup Fraud’ campaign,[35] and ‘Ability Signs’ for Decathlon Canada.[36]
IOFA with Aaron Starkman podcast
In 2018, Starkman launched the advertising podcast IOFA with Aaron Starkman alongside Creative Director or Vapor RMW Ted Rosnick.[37] Starkman hosts and interviews notable advertising figures from around the globe. Guests of the podcast have included Alex Bogusky, Fernando Machado, Judy John and Ari Merkin.[38]
Personal life
Starkman resides in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, three children, and dogs Jabba and Chewy. He is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.
References
- ^ ““Honesty Is a Gift of Clarity”: Aaron Starkman on the Meteoric Rise of Rethink”. Little Black Book Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Creative Leader of the Year 2021: Aaron Starkman”. Campaign Live UK. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “See the finalists for Ad Age’s 2022 Creativity Awards”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Adweek’s Creative 100: Meet 2019’s Most Fascinating People in Marketing, Media and Culture”. Adweek. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Meet the 2022 Campaign US 40 Over 40 honourees”. Campaign Live US. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “2 Minutes With … Aaron Starkman, Global CCO of Rethink”. Muse by Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Shoulders to stand on”. Applied Arts. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Goodbye Zig, Hello Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Zig elevates Aaron Starkman”. Shots. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “CP+B Takes Over Canada”. Adweek Agency Spy. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink hires Aaron Starkman as partner and CD”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink solidifies its succession plan with new leadership team”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink Names Mike Dubrick Chief Creative Officer, Toronto”. Little Black Book Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink’s ideas were a welcome antidote to the heaviness of a COVID-weary world”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink grows into a global player with its ideas that live in culture”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Effie Canada 2022 Rankings”. Institute of Canadian Agencies. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink, Zulu Alpha Kilo win at Campaign’s Global Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink - 2023”. The One Club for Creativity. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Final Lion-winners announced at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity”. Cannes Lions. Retrieved 2024-01-29
- ^ “Cannes Lions announces final winners of the week: Film Lions, Titanium Lions, Glass: The Lion for Change and Sustainable Development Goals Lions”. Cannes Lions. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink is Recognized as the #3 Global Independent Agency Network in Cannes”. ICOM. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink is the 2019 Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink repeats as 2020 Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “2021 AOY, Digital and Design Gold: Rethink’s winning streak hits a milestone”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “2022 Agency of the Year Gold: Rethink - One Agency. So Many Awards”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Rethink takes home Agency of the Year Gold”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Best of Decade Contender: Vim’s Prison Visitor”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Passport Beer Fridge”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29
- ^ “Penguin Random House - The Unburnable Book”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Asked to Draw Ketchup, People Around the World Drew Heinz”. Muse by Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Heinz highlights ‘Ketchup Fraud’ in playful print campaign”. The Drum. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “Decathlon Canada - Ability Signs”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “IOFA podcast back for Season Two with Eric Kallman”. The Message. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ “IOFA with Aaron Starkman”. Podtail. Retrieved 2024-01-29.