Bio
I am a senior creative with 20+ years’ experience across agency, corporate and public-sector environments. I bring calm leadership, sharp judgement, and a hands-on approach to raising creative standards across brand, campaigns, print, digital and motion.
I am experienced in mentoring designers, managing competing priorities, and translating complex topics into clear, audience-centred communications, with a strong focus on quality, consistency, accessibility and reputational risk.
Some history
2025 Creative Lead (contract) Environment Canterbury
2023-2024 Senior Creative Ambitious Aotearoa, Wellington, NZ
2021-2023 Creative Lead Trimble Inc, Chch, NZ
2019-2021 Freelance Creative
2009-2017 Art / Creative Director Simpatico / UMC, Chch, NZ
2007 Digital Creative Specialist The Campaign Palace, Sydney, Australia
2004-2006 Interactive Art Director Havas (Euro RSCG), Sydney, Australia
A few clients
FMCG
Coca Cola, Dominos, Hellers, Romanos
Public Sector
Environment Canterbury, University of Canterbury, Ngai Tahu
Technology
Nokia, Sony, Tait Communications, Trimble Inc.
Agriculture
Fonterra, PGG Wrightson, Landpower
Other
Salvation Army, The Press, Swanndri, South Sydney Rabbitohs
Awards
TVNZ Marketing Awards Best Advertising Campaign (Technology) 2017
Client: Tait Communications
Campaign: Tait Tough
Involvement: Creative Direction, Strategy, Copywriting
TVNZ Marketing Awards Best Advertising Campaign (Technology) 2016
Client: Tait Communications
Campaign: P25 Best Practices
Involvement: Strategy, Art Direction
Creative Clique Australia Awards
Best online creative 2007
Client: Coca-Cola Amatil
Involvement: Concept, Art Direction, Copy
Pride in Print - Category Food Packaging 2014
Client: Romanos
Involvement: Design Concept, Art Direction
Bio
I am a senior creative with 20+ years’ experience across agency, corporate and public-sector environments. I bring calm leadership, sharp judgement, and a hands-on approach to raising creative standards across brand, campaigns, print, digital and motion.
I am experienced in mentoring designers, managing competing priorities, and translating complex topics into clear, audience-centred communications, with a strong focus on quality, consistency, accessibility and
reputational risk.
Some history
2025
Creative Lead (contract)
Environment Canterbury
2023-2024
Senior Creative
Ambitious Aotearoa, Wellington, NZ
2021-2023
Creative Lead
Trimble Inc, Chch, NZ
2019-2021
Freelance Creative
2009-2017
Art / Creative Director
Simpatico / UMC, Chch, NZ
2007
Digital Creative Specialist
The Campaign Palace, Sydney, Australia
2004-2006
Interactive Art Director
Havas (Euro RSCG), Sydney, Australia
A few clients
FMCG
Coca Cola, Dominos, Hellers, Romanos
Public Sector
Environment Canterbury, University of Canterbury, Ngai Tahu
Technology
Nokia, Sony, Tait Communications, Trimble Inc.
Agriculture
Fonterra, PGG Wrightson, Landpower
Other
Salvation Army, The Press, Swanndri, South Sydney Rabbitohs
Awards
TVNZ Marketing Awards Best Advertising Campaign (Technology) 2017
Client: Tait Communications
Campaign: Tait Tough
Involvement: Creative Direction, Strategy, Copywriting
TVNZ Marketing Awards Best Advertising Campaign (Technology) 2016
Client: Tait Communications
Campaign: P25 Best Practices
Involvement: Strategy, Art Direction
Creative Clique Australia Awards
Best online creative 2007
Client: Coca-Cola Amatil
Involvement: Concept, Art Direction, Copy
Pride in Print - Category Food Packaging 2014
Client: Romanos
Involvement: Design Concept, Art Direction
John Arrillaga
Senior Creative / Brand and Campaign Thinking
john@arrillaga.co
021 0525 606
