Draft:Aaron Starkman

Aaron Starkman is a Canadian advertising executive who is currently the Global Chief Creative Officer at Rethink. Starkman was named Creative Leader of the Year by Campaign Magazine in 2021 and was ranked among the top five Chief Creative Officers at the Ad Age 2022 Creativity Awards. In 2019, Ad Age recognized Starkman as one of its 100 most fascinating people in marketing, media and culture in its Creative 100 List. Starkman has also been listed on Campaign Magazine's prestigious 40 Over 40 list.

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.

Career
Starkman began his advertising career at Young and Rubicam as a copywriter.

In 2002, Starkman joined Zig (acquired by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in July 2010 ), where he was appointed as Chief Creative Officer in 2010. Following Zig’s acquisition by Crispin Porter + Bogusky in 2010, Starkman was named Executive Creative Director of Crispin Porter and Bogusky Canada.

As Creative Director, Starkman helped the agency win a number of accolades, including the Cannes Lion Film Gold for Vim 'Prison Visitor' 2004, the Cannes Lions Media Gold for Scream TV 2007, and the Cannes Lion Radio Gold for IKEA 'Low Voices' in 2008.

In 2012, Starkman left Crispin Porter + Bogusky Canada and joined Rethink as Creative Director and Partner. In November 2020 he was named National Chief Creative Officer, which was followed by his appointment to Rethink’s Global Chief Creative Officer in December 2021.

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 and 2023
 * Effie Canada Agency of the Year 2022
 * Campaign Magazine Global Independent Agency of the Year 2022
 * One Show #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023
 * Cannes #2 Independent Agency of the Year 2023
 * Cannes #3 Independent Agency of the Year 2020/2021 and 2022
 * Strategy Magazine Agency of the Year for five consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 2023. )

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’ and IKEA ‘Low Voices’ 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, ‘Unburnable Book’ for Penguin Random House, the Heinz ‘Draw Ketchup’ campaign, the Heinz ‘Ketchup Fraud’ campaign, and ‘Ability Signs’ for Decathlon Canada.

IOFA with Aaron Starkman podcast
In 2018, Starkman launched the advertising podcast IOFA with Aaron Starkman alongside Creative Director or Vapor RMW Ted Rosnick. 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.

Personal life
Starkman resides in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, three children, and dogs Jabba and Chewy. He is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.