Chris Ellis

chrisellis.com.au

Hi, I’m Chris — a creative leader passionate about helping brands voice what others can’t — or won’t — say. I get excited by ideas that redefine what ‘advertising’ is, and I believe in the power of storytelling. Here’s mine:

With commercial nous honed running an illegal car wash racket at age nine, becoming the second-highest paid cold-caller in Telstra/Foxtel’s history at 19, and owning a record store the Chemical Brothers once visited, I naturally found my way into advertising at RMIT.

After stints at CHE Proximity and TBWA including a secondment at TBWAChiatDay I joined Cummins&Partners. At the pointy end of the creative pitchfork, I helped lead over 30 new business wins and grow the agency to 150+ people, resulting in back-to-back Agency of the Year titles.

In 2020, I began consulting directly with clients and leading agencies including then-named The Monkeys. In 2021, I joined Special as Creative Director, working across Virgin, Uber, Bonds, and helping to win Chobani and Coopers. I was recently brought on as ECD at Fenton Stephens.

My specialty: Consistently selling through bold work — ideas that feel aligned yet fresh. Ideas that span big brand films, culture, tactics and technology. That Australians and international juries talk about, in that order. The holy grail? Hearing: “I didn’t realise this was an ad.” And when budgets are tight, I love proving that scarcity breeds creativity.

My work has been recognised at D&AD, Cannes, One Show, AWARD, Spikes and Effies, with a Grand Clio and a Gold Clio for copywriting. I’ve served on juries including AWARD, New York Festivals and AdStars.

I was Victorian Head of AWARD School for two years, where I taught young creatives to find their own gold, earning the nickname “Ad Dad”. And “OCDCD.” I’m okay and OK with that.

Outside advertising, I manage a six-burner stove, three daughters, and my other baby: a beautiful but temperamental 'Lotus of Trouble Usually Serious' LOTUS Esprit Turbo born in 1984.