Ari Weiss, a trailblazing creative leader known for his fearless, boundary-pushing campaigns across some of the industry’s most celebrated agencies, passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 46.
Weiss leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in advertising, having shaped the creative landscape over a career spanning more than 25 years. From his early days as a copywriting intern at Goodby Silverstein & Partners to leading creative teams at BBH and DDB, and finally launching his own boutique agency, Quality Experience, in 2024, Weiss was a relentless innovator.
Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Weiss’s career took off in the late 1990s, when he landed a spot at Goodby Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. He later honed his craft at agencies like Cliff Freeman and Partners, BBDO, Wieden+Kennedy, 180LA, and a return stint at GS&P before joining BBH New York in 2011. Over six years, he rose to chief creative officer, setting the stage for his tenure at DDB, where he led the agency as North American CCO and later as global CCO.
At DDB, Weiss played a pivotal role in securing major industry accolades, including the coveted Network of the Year award at the 2023 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—the first in DDB’s storied 74-year history.
In early 2024, eager to return to hands-on creativity, Weiss founded Quality Experience (QX), a boutique agency built on the principle that brand-consumer interactions should always deliver meaningful value. He assembled a powerhouse team, bringing on Cristina Reina, Colleen Leddy, and Dan Gonda to help run the agency. QX quickly made an impact with striking campaigns for Shutterfly and Tonal.
Weiss’s work was synonymous with bold, unconventional storytelling throughout his career. He spearheaded iconic campaigns for Skittles, Starburst, Twix, Miller Lite, Coors Light, McDonald’s, and Volkswagen—each leaving a lasting imprint on the industry.
Among his most daring projects was Broadway the Rainbow for Skittles, a wildly ambitious stunt in 2019 where, instead of a Super Bowl ad, the brand staged a one-night-only Broadway musical featuring Dexter star Michael C. Hall. The satirical performance, which included the song “Advertising Ruins Everything,” was a masterclass in self-referential marketing.
He is survived by his wife, Dara; their children, Layla, Luca, and Lev; his parents, Marylin and Abe; his sister, Lara; his brothers, Adam and Ilan; and sisters-in-law, Ellen and Alicyn.
Weiss was not just a creative leader but also a mentor, friend, and champion of great ideas. His ability to push boundaries while fostering collaboration made him a beloved figure among colleagues and clients alike.
His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the world of advertising, but his legacy—his boundless creativity, his passion for the work, and his unwavering belief in the power of storytelling—will continue to inspire for generations to come.
AdAge was the first to report this.
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