michele de iuliis

micheledeiuliis.com

Born confused in Sardinia, a beautiful Italian island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, I spent most of my youth exploring the world of graphic design. After high school, and three years of studying graphic design and advertising in Italy and Ireland, I turned my passion for design into a career that has taken me across continents.

My journey began at Ogilvy & Mather and OgilvyOne Johannesburg, where I spent seven amazing years conceptualizing and developing campaigns across various mediums. From winning pitches like Cell C and the FIFA Soccer World Cup to creating memorable campaigns like the KFC Mini Cricket initiative, my time in Johannesburg was a period of immense growth and learning.

After nearly a decade in South Africa, I moved to Dubai, where I've had the opportunity to work with renowned agencies like Wunderman and Havas. I've led international teams, won accounts, and created award-winning campaigns for global brands like adidas, Virgin Mobile, Lego, and Durex.

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work on campaigns that have not only won awards but have also made a difference. The KFC Mini Cricket campaign, still active today, is a testament to the lasting impact of our work. The joy on the faces of the students as they played with their heroes from the national cricket team is a reward no trophy could match.

Today, I continue to do what I love, grateful for the opportunity to create and make a difference through my work. And yes, I still get to choose if and when to wear a suit.

Driven by curiosity, my journey in the creative field has been marked by memorable milestones. Being part of the team that won the FOX+ and National Geographic accounts, contributing to an award-winning campaign for adidas that clinched a Grand Prix at Lynx and Cannes - each step has shaped me into a more accomplished creative.

But it's not just about the awards. What truly excites me is the potential of the unexplored. The AI revolution, while daunting for some, sparks a sense of curiosity in me. I'm not just interested in staying current, but in pushing boundaries and redefining what's possible in our industry. In my current agency, I’m actively integrating AI into the creative process, aiming to enhance creativity and streamline operations across departments.

Balancing being responsible for teams in Dubai and Egypt and working on accounts like adidas, Virgin Mobile, MG, and First Abu Dhabi Bank is no easy task, but it's one I embrace. When I do find some downtime, I immerse myself in my other interests. You might find me behind a camera lens, or in the kitchen perfecting my gnocchi recipe. I have a keen eye for design, a love for 90s basketball, and a fascination with technology and science fiction. I appreciate the simplicity of minimalism and the nostalgia of old cars. I'm the kind of person who learns from documentaries, gets energized in the mosh pits of ska and punk concerts - at least until my knees fail me, and unwinds with a challenging video game. And yes, I believe that a well-made pizza can solve many of life's problems. Whether I'm in South Africa, Sardinia, or somewhere else, I approach life with the same realism and creativity that I bring to my work.