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Chaz WHITWORTH
Creative Director | APPLE
Chaz is a Creative Director for Apple based in Los Angeles, CA. Formerly worked in the creative department of Apple's agency partner — Media Arts Lab making disruptive and memorable work for the best brand in the world. Before that he cut his teeth at Pereira&O'Dell in San Francisco, making interactive films that blur the line between content consumers and creators. Chaz's work has garnered him a Daytime Emmy, 3 Grand Prix Lions at Cannes, a handful of One Show Pencils, Webbys, and numerous other mentions that include being named 30 Under 30 by Business Insider, and One to Watch by the One Club.
questionnaire
1. What was your very first job?
Got a job washing dishes at a restaurant when I was 14.
2. Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
A big part of my job as a creative director is to have the right amount of vision, and enforce a certain standard on the work. But also to advocate for my teams, be open to experimentation, and adaptable in the face of change.
3. How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? Was there a train of events that brought you where you are today?
I was born into a family of artists and musicians, so it was sort of inevitable I’d wind up being creative in some respect. In terms of the creative advertising/design world specifically— I was lucky to find an ad school driving distance from my home in suburban Atlanta that would take me in as a youngster (17), and ultimately help me to become hirable to agencies.
4. In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
Whether it’s growing or shrinking, the industry is always evolving. That evolution provides the critical context for staying relevant (or you could just say helpful). We’re a service industry, and don’t exist in a vacuum. Paying attention. Reading. Living life in the world outside of advertising! Being human and taking notes.
5. If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation rather than its recognition or industry "success," what would it be?
We recently launched a program for Apple Card that focuses on improving financial health. I enjoy being able to make things that provide value for people, instead of just always trying to grab their attention.
6. Which creative disciplines do you commission most, and are most interested in seeing more of and why? Which of these disciplines are you most interested in seeing at CONNECTIONS? (ie photo, film, production, social, experiential, vr, cgi, animation etc)
Film directors, photographers and retouchers. They also happen to be some of my favorite people in the industry. I’d love to see more of the cutting edge via VR, CGI and experiential.
