About me
I'm an international creative, working globally and locally as integrated Creative Director and Executive Creative Director.
More than 15 years of experience spanning creative, strategy and business development, equipped with unique insight into the European and Middle East markets. I'm a strong believer in the powerful combination of creative, data, media and technology.
I worked for some of the world's biggest brands, and I created iconic projects that directly lead to business results.
I started my career in Italy working at agencies such as JWT Rome and Milan, Leo Burnett Milan and a few years ago I moved to Dubai.
In JWT I won the very first for Italy gold Cannes Lion in Promo&Activation and PR. In Leo Burnett, I won the first Samsung Gold Cannes lion for the network and the very first Cannes Innovation shortlist for Italy.
In the Middle East, as ECD of the independent shop Tonic Dubai, I took the agency to be ranked #10 most awarded agency in MENA region at Cannes 2016.
Under my leadership, over the years my teams won around 150 awards in every global award show including 7 gold Lions, Grand Prix at Clio, Eurobest, ADC*E, etc. and he was ranked #5 copywriter in the world by The Big Won and Ad Age.
I worked for clients like Samsung, Heineken, Audi, Nokia, Nestlé, Fiat, Toyota, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Heinz-Kraft.
From Dubai, I worked a couple of years as freelancer for Publicis Italy, McCann Germany, JWT Dubai, MullenLowe Mena, VMLY&R Dubai, etc
After a stint in Publicis Dubai, overseeing all FCA brands for the Middle East, I recently joined Merkle and Dentsu Mena, leading the creative output of the group.
Skills
Advertising, Digital Marketing, integrated
Sector Experience
Awards
Andys - Silver, Cannes Lions - Bronze, Cannes Lions - Gold, Cannes Lions - Shortlist, Cannes Lions - Silver, Clios - Bronze, Clios - Gold, Clios - Grand Award, Clios - Shortlist, D&AD Award - In-book, D&AD Award - Nomination, Dubai Lynx - Shortlist, EPICA Award - Bronze, EPICA Award - Gold, EPICA Award - Grand Prix, EPICA Award - Silver, Eurobest Award Shortlist, Kinsale Shark Award, LIA Award - Bronze, New York Ad Festival - Third Prize, One Show - Bronze Pencil, One Show - Merit
Clients
Audi Middle East, Coca-Cola, Fiat, Heineken, Nokia, Samsung, Vodafone
#3 Ranked Executive Creative Directoron 3rd October 2016 Project featured:Sweat for your dreams
on 21st March 2020 Project featured:Lie Detector
on 17th July 2020 Contributor:
Cristiano Tonnarelli has been a Contributor since 30th January 2017.