RAJ GUPTA
A Toronto based Ad guy, designer,
maker and future tinkerer.
Hey there!
Let’s skip the usual LinkedIn jargon and get straight to what makes me tick as a Creative Director —real experience and grit
THIS IS THE JOURNEY I'VE TAKEN
My adventure in the fast-moving ad worlds of Dubai and Toronto has been nothing short of a masterclass in creativity and leadership. These cities were my classrooms, teaching me not just how to envision big, but also how to bring those visions to life with a team that’s as passionate about the craft as I am.
I jumped into this creative pool back in 2005 and have been swimming through the waves of change ever since.
From cheering on the rise of influencers to minting NFTs and building worlds in the metaverse, I’ve had my hands in all sorts of pies. And I love it! I believe in keeping things simple: do great work that makes a difference and keep pushing to get better every day. I'm a hands on creative director who leads teams that are hungry to innovate and eager to deliver, not just impress.
I’m here to make sure creativity serves a purpose and actually gets the job done.
Thanks for dropping by! If you’re up for making something awesome together, I’m just a message away.
WANT TO CONNECT?
RECOGNITION BY INDUSTRY (JURY MEMBER)
https://www.nationaladvertisingchallenge.com/jury/past-juries
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/Juries/Judges/2019/
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/Juries/OurJudges/
https://strategyonline.ca/2023/12/15/digital-jurors-revealed-ahead-of-102nd-marketing-awards/
https://www.adforum.com/tribune/super-bowl-2019-expert-commentary-on-the-ultimate-commercial-showdown
RECOGNITION IN PRESS
https://www.blogto.com/arts/2015/11/local_artist_rethinks_toronto_street_signs/
https://www.blogto.com/arts/2016/10/toronto_street_signs_get_a_drake-inspired_update/
https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/gta/2015/11/26/toronto-artist-gets-creative-with-inspirational-intersections.html
https://www.notablelife.com/toronto-artist-is-recreating-city-street-signs-in-the-best-way-possible/
https://www.nelsonstar.com/news/the-immortal-poppy-canadian-legion-to-sell-nfts-for-100th-anniversary-4897755
https://financialpost.com/fp-finance/cryptocurrency/royal-canadian-legion-creates-poppy-nft-to-honour-veterans
https://lbbonline.com/news/royal-canadian-legion-remembers-fallen-soldiers-with-immortal-poppy-nfts
https://globalnews.ca/news/8358155/100-years-of-poppies-from-flanders-fields-to-our-lapels/
https://www.contagious.com/iq/article/the-immortal-poppy
https://www.contagious.com/reports-and-webinars/free-most-contagious-report-download-strategy-creativity-marketing
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rcl-uses-fortnite-for-remembrance-day-1.5354595
GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Fast Company
Spotlighted and honoured as a World Changing Idea - HSBC USA
https://www.fastcompany.com/90869667/world-changing-ideas-art-design-2023
Communication Arts
Published as Finalist in Motion Design - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.wundermanthompson.com/work/immortal-poppy
Recognized for excellence in Design - GreenPeace
Clio Awards
Notable Nominee for excellence in E-Commerce - Royal Canadian Legion
https://clios.com/awards/winner/digital-mobile/the-royal-canadian-legion/the-immortal-poppy-111522
Recognized Contender for Innovative use of Film Technique - HSBC Canada
https://clios.com/awards/winner/film-technique-music-original/hsbc-canada/balance-tragedy-65213
The Webby Awards
Nominated for Integration of Art and Technology - Royal Canadian Legion
https://winners.webbyawards.com/2022/websites-and-mobile-sites/general-desktop-mobile-sites/netart/211445/immortal-poppy
Honoured for Best Art Direction for Game experience - Remembrance Island
https://winners.webbyawards.com/2020/games/features/best-art-direction/119309/remembrance-island
D&AD
Prominently selected for innovatively applying E-Commerce in Cultural Experiences - Royal Canadian Legion https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2022/235557/immortal-poppy/
One Show
Recognized as contender for Creative Effectiveness for a Non-Profit Organization - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.wundermanthompson.com/work/immortal-poppy
Contagious
Spotlighted as 1 of 25 World’s Best Campaigns - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.contagious.com/reports-and-webinars/free-most-contagious-report-download-strategy-creativity-marketing
Cannes Lions
Recognized for Branded Games - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.wundermanthompson.com/work/remembrance-island
New York Festival
Acknowledged with a Bronze Award - Greenpeace
CANADIAN RECOGNITION
Strategy Online
Honoured as one of Canada’s top 100 Creative Directors https://strategyonline.ca/creative-report-card/person/raj-gupta/
Marketing Awards
Winner of Seasonal Advertising - HSBC US
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=135574&u=Multicultural&n=The+Luckiest+Red
Celebrated for Innovation in Online Film - HSBC US
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=135574&u=Multicultural&n=The+Luckiest+Red
Awarded as Best of Show/Grand Prix in Craft - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=136474&u=Craft&n=The+Immortal
Awarded for Art Direction - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=136474&u=Craft&n=The+Immortal
Awarded for Online Marketing - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=135580&u=Public Service Advertising&n=Immortal+Poppy
Awarded for Direct Marketing - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=135580&u=Public Service Advertising&n=Immortal+Poppy
Awarded Top Honour for Community-Building Work - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2020/?e=99484&u=Advertising I&n=Remembrance+Island+
Celebrated for Excellence in Direct Marketing - Royal Canadian Legion
https://marketingawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2020/?e=99484&u=Advertising I&n=Remembrance+Island+
Shopper Innovation and Activation Awards
Honored for Tech Innovation in Brand Activations and Shopper Programs - Royal Canadian Legion
https://shopperinnovationawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2022/?e=131869&n=The+Immortal+Poppy
Top Honour in targeting, breakthrough ideas, and immersive experiences. - Royal Canadian Legion
https://shopperinnovationawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2021/?e=113893&n=Remembrance+Island
The Advertising & Design Club of Canada
Awarded for Interactive Innovation in the Non-Profit Category - Royal Canadian Legion
https://theadcc.ca/archive/immortal-poppy_2022_silver_non-profit-public-service
Recognized for Interactive Creative Use of Data - Royal Canadian Legion
https://theadcc.ca/archive/immortal-poppy_2022_bronze_creative-data
Recognized for excellence in Interactive Games, Interactive Narrative, and Non-Profit & Public Service
https://theadcc.ca/archive/remembrance-island_2021_bronze_interactive-narrative https://theadcc.ca/archive/remembrance-island_2021_bronze_games https://theadcc.ca/archive/remembrance-island_2021_bronze_non-profit-public-service
Received Merit in Interactive Advertising for Social Media
https://theadcc.ca/archive/beyond-the-profile-picture_2017_merit_social-media
Applied Arts
Awarded for Craft in Motion/Animation - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.appliedartsmag.com/winners/design/immortal-poppy-w100/?year=2022
Awarded for work created in a ‘shoe-string’ budget - Royal Canadian Legion
https://www.appliedartsmag.com/winners/design/remembrance-island-digital-gaming-w146/?year=2021
Awarded for 30s Advertising Film - GoRving Canada
https://www.appliedartsmag.com/winners/television/wildhood-w630/?year=2015
Awarded for Advertising Photography - Canadian Film Centre
https://www.appliedartsmag.com/winners/photography/keyboard-cat-w4/?year=2013
Awarded for Poster Photography - Canadian Film Centre
https://www.appliedartsmag.com/winners/photography/wwsff-keyboard-cat-w118/?year=2013
Atomic Awards
Recognized for excellence in Niche Targeting and Best Digital Engagement - Royal Canadian Legion
https://atomicawards.strategyonline.ca/winners/winner/2021/?e=111745&n=Remembrance+Island
UAE RECOGNITION
Dubai Young Lynx 2009
2009 Gold Winner and inaugural recipient of the Dubai Young Lynx Award
https://www2.dubailynx.com/winners/2009/youngcreatives/
Government of Sharjah Award of Excellence
Proud recipient of the Government of Sharjah Award of Excellence in the field of Visual Communication
UAE Educational IT Challenge Finalist
Proud finalist awardee of the UAE Education IT Challenge hosted by Dubai Men’s College, Higher Colleges of Technology
AUS Chair’s Award for Academic Excellence 2001, 2002
M.A.D. Design Award
awarded for exceptional Motivation, Attitude, and Dedication in the field of design at the American University of Sharjah
AUS Critics’ Choice Award
Recognized for outstanding academic achievement in design at the American University of Sharjah
AUSTRALIAN RECOGNITION
RMIT, Melbourne Film & Video Awards of Excellence
- Award of excellence for Best Animated Production - Gifted
- Award of excellence for the craft of Character Animation - Gifted
Melbourne Open Channel Screening
Recipient of Audience Choice Award - Gifted