SIMON AU
Simon Au is a creative leader known for building high performing in house creative organizations that produce world class work at scale.
As Executive Creative Director at The Kitchen North America, Simon helped build the agency from the ground up into a team of more than 190 creatives across Canada and the United States, supporting 27 brands with culturally relevant, business driving creative. Under his leadership, the team earned top awards at Cannes Lions, The One Show, D&AD and the Clios, while helping The Kitchen win Campaign Global's In House Agency of the Year for two consecutive years. In 2026, Simon was named to Adweek's Creative 100, recognizing the industry's most influential creative leaders.
Before joining The Kitchen, Simon built his career at some of Canada's most respected agencies, including Rethink, Leo Burnett, john st., and Zulu Alpha Kilo, creating award winning work for some of the world's leading brands.
Simon is passionate about the future of creativity, championing diverse talent, and proving that in house teams can produce work that stands alongside the very best in the industry.
Speaker
Clios Creative Summit, The One Club of Creativity - Within Conference l Morning Buzz, Campaign UK In-Housing Summit, ANA in-House Summit, LLB Cannes Beach, Reddit at Cannes, Campaign Canada In-Housing Summit, One Asia Creative Masterclass
Industry Recognition
Cannes Lions, D&AD, Art Directors Club (ADC), One Show, Communications Arts, CLIOS, Cannes Advertising Awards, London International Awards, Effies, New York Festivals, The Webby Awards, Art Directors Club of Canada, Epica Awards Design Edge, Applied Arts, Creative Review, Marketing Awards, Tomorrow Awards, Creativity Online, CMA awards, Digital Marketing Awards, Promo Awards, Adweek Project Issac Awards, Obie Awards, Creativity International Awards, Atomic Awards, How Design Awards (Full yearly breakdown of awards can be found on Linkedin)
Key Clients
Kraft Heinz, Uber, CocaCola, Audi, Kelloggs, Visa, Puma, Canadian Tire, Telus, Bell, Toronto Tourism, Kruger, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, Giant Tiger, Workopolis, Google, Procter and Gamble, Pfizer, Corona, Molson Canadian, Samsung
Industry Recongition
Adweek Creative 100, Campaign Global Creative Leader of the Year finalist, Shorty Creative of the year, Campaign Canada Leader of the year finalist.
Juding
The One Show, D&AD, Clios, London International Awards, OBIEE, Immortal awards, The Drum Awards, ANA Reggie awards, D&AD new blood, One Aisa
Work
Executive Creative Director
The Kitchen North America (October 2021-Present)
Creative Director
Grey Group (June 2020 - October 2021)
Creative Director
John St. Advertising (April 2017 - June 2020)
Freelance ACD/Senior Art Director
Rethink Communications, Cheil Seoul, Taxi Canada, McCann, Zulu Alpha Kilo (March 2013 - April 2017)
Senior Art Director
Zulu Alpha Kilo (Jan 2012 - Jan 2014)
Art Director
Crispin Porter & Bogusky (Feb 2011 - Dec 2011)
Art Director
Zulu Alpha Kilo (2008-2011)
Art Director
Taxi Canada (2006-2008)
Art Director
Leo Burnett Toronto (2004-2006)
Education
OCAD University
Bachelor of Design, Advertising
Recipient of the OCAD Medal (awarded to the top of Class)
Also the following awards and scholarships:
Helen Elizabeth McGavin (Boyd) Award
Nora E. Vaughan Award
George A. Reid Award
Gail Yacula Tuition Scholarship
Aboveground Art Supplies Award
Glasgow School of Art (UK)
Visual Communications
Info
T: +1.647.299.6989
E: simon.au647@gmail.com