Awards are nice.
Ryan’s creative and campaign effectiveness has been recognized internationally by the Webby’s, Cannes Lions, London International Awards, One Show, the FWAs, D&AD, EFFIE Awards, Marketing Awards, Art Director’s Club
And nationally by the Canadian Marketing Awards, Art Director’s Of Canada, Strategy Magazine and The Cassies.
His work has also been seen in Contagious, Applied Arts Magazine, Communication Arts Magazine, Luerzers Archive and a number of online design publications.
People are nicer.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ryan for many years, and he is an incredibly talented and hardworking Art Director and Creative Director. He's great on both digital and traditional briefs, where he consistently delivers high-quality work. Ryan's attention to detail and collaborative nature make him a standout in any team. I highly recommend Ryan for any creative role or project—he’s an asset and pleasure to work with.”
Rob Sweetman, Founder + Chief Creative Officer, ONE23WEST
“Ryan is an idea machine. Not literally of course as a machine walking around in a Penguin t-shirt would be kind of creepy. But in the year and a half that we worked together, I could always count on him to produce a steady stream of fresh, award-worthy thinking. And the passion, oh yes, the passion. Ryan cares. Deeply. His boundless enthusiasm to tackle even the biggest challenges means he can take a punch and come back swinging harder. If you're looking for a creative doer and dreamer who delivers time and time again, Ryan is your man. And machine.”
Andrew Simon, Chief Creative Officer, Canada at Edelman
“Ryan is a fantastic creative leader, and someone I wholeheartedly recommend. He brings fresh thinking and creative, award-worthy ideas every time, and his energy and drive are infectious. He is a pleasure to work with, and is both passionate enough to push for the best possible ideas every time, and humble enough to give space for others in the process. He is an excellent creative and overall human being.”
Becca Young, SVP Strategy & Integration @ NATIONAL PR
“He just works too damn hard not to be successful. He's also a sponge. He listens, self-assesses, and keeps refining his game. I've watched Ryan develop into a well rounded Art Director over the years, one that could work on any side of the business without missing a beat.”
Bruce Sinclair, National Creative Director, TribalDDB
“Working with Ryan was like working with an ideas machine. Very passionate, very detail oriented. Beautiful work all around.”
Alex Beim, Associate Creative Director, TribalDDB
“Ryan has super positive energy that comes through daily and *especially* during client presentations. I enjoy working with him as his ideas always manifest into creative production challenges for me.”
Trisha Quenneville, Sr. Digital Project Management & Integrated Production
“Ryan is a radical dude, who comes up with even more radical ideas, that then make him an even more radical dude. On a more serious note, I would work with him again anytime. He's smart, efficient, passionate, and of course very radical.”
Ryan Leeson, Freelance Writer / Creative Director
Lion photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash