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 nineteen, 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 Los Angeles, 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 with 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. Most recently, I led the transformation of Fenton Stephens.

My specialty: Brand platforms that yield bold work — and consistently selling that through. Ideas that feel aligned yet fresh. From films that tell a brand story, to delivering that story through experiences and innovations that capture culture. Work Australians talk about first, and juries talk about later. 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 Lions, 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 nicknames “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 (Lots of Trouble Usually Serious) 1984 Lotus Esprit.