When you started from the bottom (now we’re here) [w/ Francesco Grandi]

Explicit content warning

02/26/25 • 81 min

Francesco (Fran, if you’re buds) on his ascension from lowly intern at Ogilvy to the CCO throne. Plus, the Dove campaigns he’s worked on for the last 2 decades.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Francesco is an internationally-recognized, Emmy nominated, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy Canada where he leads the Toronto and Montreal office. He is Ogilvy’s highest ranked CCO in the world.

Prior to his current role, he has worked his way across the globe from Chicago, Toronto, Amsterdam, London, and back to Toronto.

He has led some of the most iconic brands in the world, such as Netflix, Guinness, Uber, Samsung and Dove, where his back-to-back “Toxic Influence” and “Cost of Beauty” campaigns both became the most shared and most awarded in the brand’s history. This catapulted Dove to 2nd at the Cannes Lions Brand of the Year rankings, and Unilever as coveted Creative Marketer of the Year.

He has led Ogilvy Canada to their most awarded year in the agency’s 64-year history, doing the best work on their biggest brands.

He has helped spur a 75% conversion rate on new business, winning the H&R Block, Go Train, Up Express, Clif Bar, Mitsubishi, Young Drivers and Samsung Global accounts.

He believes being an “outsider” is a creative’s greatest superpower, which is why he loves to fill his creative department with talent from all over the world. This diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and thinking leads to more unexpected ideas.

Francesco has won over 350 awards, including back-to-back Cannes Gold Lions, a D&AD Collaborative Black Pencil, and multiple Grand Prix and Gold at every major show, including The One Show, Clios, LIA’s, Eurobest, Effies, Andy’s, Communication Arts and ADCC’s.

ADCC Created is brought to you by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada, hosted by Lyranda Martin Evans (Fellow Human), with music and studio care of Grayson Music.

Francesco (Fran, if you’re buds) on his ascension from lowly intern at Ogilvy to the CCO throne. Plus, the Dove campaigns he’s worked on for the last 2 decades.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Francesco is an internationally-recognized, Emmy nominated, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy Canada where he leads the Toronto and Montreal office. He is Ogilvy’s highest ranked CCO in the world.

Prior to his current role, he has worked his way across the globe from Chicago, Toronto, Amsterdam, London, and back to Toronto.

He has led Ogilvy Canada to their most awarded year in the agency’s 64-year history, doing the best work on their biggest brands.

He has helped spur a 75% conversion rate on new business, winning the H&R Block, Go Train, Up Express, Clif Bar, Mitsubishi, Young Drivers and Samsung Global accounts.

ADCC Created is brought to you by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada, hosted by Lyranda Martin Evans (Fellow Human), with music and studio care of Grayson Music.

Previous Episode

When you go west, young man [w/ Bryan Collins & Rob Sweetman]

Bryan and Rob talk advertising and design on the Left Coast, from their days in Calgary to launching an agency in Vancouver. Plus, plenty of discussion around Dick Pics (it’s pictures of dudes named Richard, mom!).

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Rob Sweetman and Bryan Collins are founders and Chief Creative Officers of ad and design agency ONE23WEST. They've been a creative team for over 20 years starting at various agencies that no longer exist in Calgary, then to Rethink during Vancouver's early years where they created many award winning campaigns including the bulletproof 3M transit shelter, and then successfully turned around the creative reputation of Cossette West, including winning the network's first One Show pencil.

ADCC Created is brought to you by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada, hosted by Lyranda Martin Evans (Fellow Human), with music and studio care of Grayson Music.

Next Episode

When to stop explaining and start selling [w/ Meghan Kraemer & Cameron Stark]

Launch your own agency with blood, sweat, and pee. Meghan and Cameron reveal how they built Hard Work Club with Post It notes and a dream. Plus, they unpack work for Knix and Doordash.
ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Meghan Kraemer - Co-founder, Executive Creative Director

As a woman and mother, Meghan is unlike 98% of creative agency owners. An advocate for women in the industry, she is a champion for equality, authenticity and smashing through the sea-of-sameness. As Executive Creative Director of HWC, she brings a considered, artistic and deeply human approach to each piece of work the club creates. When she’s not swinging for the fences, she’s reheating cups of coffee as she chases after her two young daughters, Norah and Maeve.

Cameron Stark - Co-founder, Head of Strategy

For the last fifteen years, Cam has stewarded brands to break through the clutter and advocated for the value of smart, distinctive, creative thinking. He brings an anthropological approach and deep curiosity to every brief, and is passionate about unlocking a brand’s greater purpose. He also dabbles in homemade hot sauce he gives as gifts (but still try to act surprised when you unwrap it).

ADCC Created is brought to you by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada, hosted by Lyranda Martin Evans (Fellow Human), with music and studio care of Grayson Music.