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Aaron Starkman is a Canadian advertising executive who is currently the Global Chief Creative Officer at Rethink. Recognized globally for his creativity and leadership, Starkman has been named Creative Leader of the Year by Campaign Magazine and has been ranked among the top five Chief Creative Officers in the world by Ad Age. 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 before writing his LSATS with an acquaintance working in law, 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.

Starkman helped the agency win a number of prestigious 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 prestigious advertising accolades and awards, including:
 * Ad Age A-List Creative Agency of the Year 2021 and 2023
 * Effie Awards’ Agency of the Year 2023 (S)
 * 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 (S) and the One Show (S). He most recently served on the Effies inaugural global “Best of the Best Awards” grand jury (S).

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 Molson Canadian’s 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.

"It's Only Fucking Advertising" podcast
In 2018, Starkman launched the advertising podcast “It’s Only Fucking Advertising” 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.