Aaron Starkman

Aaron Starkman is a Canadian advertising executive who is currently the Global Chief Creative Officer at Rethink.““Honesty Is a Gift of Clarity”: Aaron Starkman on the Meteoric Rise of Rethink”. Little Black Book Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29. Starkman was named Creative Leader of the Year by Campaign Magazine in 2021“Creative Leader of the Year 2021: Aaron Starkman”. Campaign Live UK. Retrieved 2024-01-29. and was ranked among the top five Chief Creative Officers at the Ad Age 2022 Creativity Awards.“See the finalists for Ad Age’s 2022 Creativity Awards”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29. In 2019, Ad Age recognized Starkman as one of its 100 most fascinating people in marketing, media and culture in its Creative 100 List.“Adweek’s Creative 100: Meet 2019’s Most Fascinating People in Marketing, Media and Culture”. Adweek. Retrieved 2024-01-29. Starkman has also been listed on Campaign Magazine's prestigious 40 Over 40 list.“Meet the 2022 Campaign US 40 Over 40 honourees”. Campaign Live US. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
==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.“2 Minutes With … Aaron Starkman, Global CCO of Rethink”. Muse by Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
==Career==
Starkman began his advertising career at Young and Rubicam as a copywriter.“Shoulders to stand on”. Applied Arts. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
In 2002, Starkman joined Zig (acquired by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in July 2010“Goodbye Zig, Hello Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.), where he was appointed as Chief Creative Officer in 2010.“Zig elevates Aaron Starkman”. Shots. Retrieved 2024-01-29. Following Zig’s acquisition by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in 2010, Starkman was named Executive Creative Director of Crispin Porter and Bogusky Canada.“CP+B Takes Over Canada”. Adweek Agency Spy. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
As Creative Director, Starkman helped the agency win a number of accolades, including the Cannes Lion Film Gold for Vim 'Prison Visitor' 2004,“Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. the Cannes Lions Media Gold for Scream TV 2007,“Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. and the Cannes Lion Radio Gold for IKEA 'Low Voices' in 2008.“Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
In 2012, Starkman left Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada and joined Rethink as Creative Director and Partner.“Rethink hires Aaron Starkman as partner and CD”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. In November 2020 he was named National Chief Creative Officer,“Rethink solidifies its succession plan with new leadership team”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. which was followed by his appointment to Rethink’s Global Chief Creative Officer in December 2021.“Rethink Names Mike Dubrick Chief Creative Officer, Toronto”. Little Black Book Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
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“Rethink’s ideas were a welcome antidote to the heaviness of a COVID-weary world”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29. and 2023“Rethink grows into a global player with its ideas that live in culture”. Ad Age. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
* Effie Canada Agency of the Year 2022“Effie Canada 2022 Rankings”. Institute of Canadian Agencies. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
* Campaign Magazine Global Independent Agency of the Year 2022“Rethink, Zulu Alpha Kilo win at Campaign’s Global Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
* One Show #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023“Rethink - 2023”. The One Club for Creativity. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
* Cannes #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023“Final Lion-winners announced at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity”. Cannes Lions. Retrieved 2024-01-29
* Cannes #3 Independent Agency of the Year 2020/2021“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. and 2022“Rethink is Recognized as the #3 Global Independent Agency Network in Cannes”. ICOM. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
* Strategy Magazine Agency of the Year for five consecutive years (2019,“Rethink is the 2019 Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 2020,“Rethink repeats as 2020 Agency of the Year”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 2021,“2021 AOY, Digital and Design Gold: Rethink’s winning streak hits a milestone”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 2022“2022 Agency of the Year Gold: Rethink - One Agency. So Many Awards”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 2023.“Rethink takes home Agency of the Year Gold”. Strategy Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. )
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’“Best of Decade Contender: Vim’s Prison Visitor”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. and IKEA ‘Low Voices’“Zig’s “Low Voice” wins Radio Gold”. Marketing Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 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,“Passport Beer Fridge”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29 ‘Unburnable Book’ for Penguin Random House,“Penguin Random House - The Unburnable Book”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29. the Heinz ‘Draw Ketchup’ campaign,“Asked to Draw Ketchup, People Around the World Drew Heinz”. Muse by Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29. the Heinz ‘Ketchup Fraud’ campaign,“Heinz highlights ‘Ketchup Fraud’ in playful print campaign”. The Drum. Retrieved 2024-01-29. and ‘Ability Signs’ for Decathlon Canada.“Decathlon Canada - Ability Signs”. Clio. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
==IOFA with Aaron Starkman podcast==
In 2018, Starkman launched the advertising podcast IOFA with Aaron Starkman alongside Creative Director or Vapor RMW Ted Rosnick.“IOFA podcast back for Season Two with Eric Kallman”. The Message. Retrieved 2024-01-29. 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.“IOFA with Aaron Starkman”. Podtail. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
==Personal life==
Starkman resides in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, three children, and dogs Jabba and Chewy. He is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.
Category:Canadian people
Category:People from Toronto
Category:York University alumni
Category:Advertising executives