2025 Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaches
Jason Graff
EVP, Executive Creative DirectorAREA 23
New York
Jason has advertising in his blood. His father was one of the madmen at DDB who helped create the golden age of advertising, and this inspired Jason to follow in his footsteps.
Before joining AREA 23, Jason held Executive Creative Director posts at Publicis and the Kaplan Thaler Group. He racked up consumer awards on Wendy’s, Trojan condoms, Hot Pockets and Abbott nutrition. But it was his work on Similac that put him on a more inspired career path.
“I created the Sisterhood of Motherhood campaign to expose the unnecessary and toxic mommy judgment and urged healing and acceptance in the community. It wasn’t about buying a brand, but rather buying into one. From that moment, I only wanted to work on accounts that would make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Shortly after, Jason joined AREA 23 with the mission of creating life-changing work that had unbridled craft and creativity. This was a lofty goal in an industry known for safe work, but Jason believed it was time for health and wellness to have its own golden age.
Jason’s eternal optimism and non-stop drive to do the best work in the world paid off.
He has been one of the most awarded creatives in the healthcare industry earning 37 LIAs, including 2 Grand LIA’s, 26 Cannes Lions, including 2 Grand Prix, 49 One Show Pencils, including 1 Best in Discipline, 12 D&AD pencils, 32 CLIOS, including 2 Grand CLIO’s, Mannys, MM&M, Globals and the Creative Floor. He was ranked #1 Group Creative Director in the world at the One Show and was recently ranked #1 Executive Creative Director at One Show. His creative contributions have resulted in AREA 23 being recognized as Agency of the Year in each of these shows.
He has been one of the most awarded creatives in the healthcare industry earning 37 LIAs, including 2 Grand LIA’s, 26 Cannes Lions, including 2 Grand Prix, 49 One Show Pencils, including 1 Best in Discipline, 12 D&AD pencils, 32 CLIOS, including 2 Grand CLIO’s, Mannys, MM&M, Globals and the Creative Floor. He was ranked #1 Group Creative Director in the world at the One Show and was recently ranked #1 Executive Creative Director at One Show. His creative contributions have resulted in AREA 23 being recognized as Agency of the Year in each of these shows.
Jason has also dedicated his career to mentoring young talent. He taught at the School of Visual Arts for 7 years, and created ‘Use Your Words’, a craft course to enrich the copy department at AREA 23 and other FCB Health agencies in the network. Recently he was a mentor in the D&AD Shift Program.
Jason is married and the proud father of four children and three dogs, and he hopes all seven will follow in his advertising footsteps.