In his spare time he’s been rejected from drama school six times. Travelled to 16 countries, lived in four. Received a standing ovation. Forgotten a language. Been granted a wish. Acted in a Scarlett Johansson movie. Founded a start-up. Hit a three year streak on Duolingo. Been accepted into Harvard. And, never ever liked black licorice.
Recognition
#4 Art Director in the world Cannes Lions Talent rankings
#1 Art Director in New Zealand One Club Creative Rankings
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
Underrespresented Scholarship
The Audacious School of Astonishing Pursuits
$80,000+ in philanthropic funding for a
start-up championing DE+I in media
Cannes Lions
Grand Prix (x1), Gold (x2), Silver (x4), Bronze (x2)
D&AD
Yellow (x2), Wood (x2)
One Show
Gold (x1), Bronze (x2)
London International Awards
Grand Prix (x1), Gold (x4)
Best Awards
Silver (x2), 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)
Spikes
Grand Prix (x2), Gold (x3), Bronze (x1)
Caples
Gold (x1), Silver (x2), Bronze (x2)
Experience
Colenso BBDO, Auckland
Jr. Art Director
Royal College of Arts, London
Editorial Design
DDB 14, Barcelona
Jr. Art Director
Media Design School, Auckland
Creative Advertising
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington
Cultural Anthropology & Theatre
and
Cannes Lions Creative Academy
D&AD New Blood Academy
Useful School
LIA Creative LIAisons Academy
The Audacious School of Astonishing Pursuits
Judging + Speaking
Diversity Works NZ
Panel Speaker
The King’s Trust
Panel Speaker
Media Design School
Guest Speaker
Fibre Fale
Guest Speaker
Victoria University of Wellington
Guest Speaker
Show Me Shorts Film Festival
Programme Judge
Axis Awards
Shadow Judge
Press
Lions Daily News
CC:DC ambassadors here to spread
the word on diversity
D&AD
A junior creative on forging his career
after New Blood Academy
Cannes Lions
Léon Bristow: ”The dopamine hits are
worth the grind”
Campaign Brief
Cannes Lions 2024 Recap: Léon Bristow
“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