Hi, I’m Carla.
A film-nerd-former-fat-kid who was once told that my “spirit animal” is “a female Bigfoot.”
I’m also a multidisciplinary and multi-award-winning conceptual Executive Creative Director with 20+ years of experience in ads and entertainment.
I grew up in Melbourne, Australia. But don’t let my charming accent fool you! I am, in fact, a fully-fledged, card-carrying citizen of these fine United States… and Italy (my parents met at a beach party in Malaysia; it's a long story that involves a turtle).
I spent the first chapter of my career working in film and television, which makes me unique in ad-land.
I have an in-depth understanding of all areas of the production process (pre/pro/post), not to mention some truly bizarre stories.
These days I earn my bread dreaming up cool things for brands like Netflix, K-Y Jelly, Google, Facebook, Nike, Disney, Coke, and Nissan to do while writing essays (for fun) about stuff like dick-pics and messy beds.
If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that everyone hates ads.
People are wise to our old bag of tricks and come armed with an immaculate bullshit detector.
So if you want someone’s attention, you'd better have something worth their time.
I know better than to force a brand into a box that no longer fits, or a channel where their stories won’t thrive. I go where their audiences play to create stories actually worth sharing. From ideas based in film, TV, radio, print, new-tech, social, immersive, and experiential, to products and events, I’ve done it all. My teams have created an award-winning documentary, a pop-up museum, a floating bar, an Absinthe brand, a private sporting club, a sell-out festival, and much more, always striving to create something meaningful out of something new.
I believe that the best agencies and studios have a strong sense of who they are. That’s what draws the right clients in. As a creative leader, part of my job is balancing what a client needs with protecting the character and creative standard that made them choose us in the first place. Otherwise, they could have gone anywhere.
I love to work with creatives, lead, listen, laugh – while always pushing for great work. I respect my teams and what each person can bring. I always work closely with strategy. I understand how to see the big picture and how to bring it to life by staying hands-on every step of production from pitch-to-post.
I strive to be the kind of creative I would want to work with. I have the skills and bravado to make great work, but it's my wisdom, humor, and empathy that make me an exceptional addition to any team.
I endorse dogs with eyebrows, garlic bread, and yelling at the television.
Let’s chat.
Carla del Porto.