“ARE YOU RUSSIAN?”
First things first, I'm not Russian. Or Bulgarian. I'm Indonesian, born and bred. My parents decided to have a laugh by making up a name based on the fact I was born in November. I also have a younger brother born in August, mind you.
My journey in the creative world ironically began in science. After receiving 2 science-based scholarships and the expectations of my family to pursue engineering, I decided to give it all up in favor of pursuing the arts.
Within just one year in the industry, I was fortunate enough that my work attained international acclaim, including the coveted D&AD Yellow Pencil. In my second year, I was invited to judge at the 2013 D&AD Awards, making me one of the youngest to receive the honor, at the age of 27. Since then, my works have picked up golds at every major award show such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, London International Awards, Clio, The Webby Awards, Spikes Asia and others. I have worked on major accounts such as Samsung, McDonald's, BMW, Coke, The Economist, LEGO and Huggies, across Singapore, Chicago and New York.
But as of yet, I have not mastered the art of riding a bicycle.
LET’S TALK MORE ABOUT MY NAME!
(or anything else really)
E: davidstevanov@gmail.com
M: +1 (312) 320 - 5450
Photo by Jimmy Fok
EXPERIENCE
Saatchi & Saatchi New York, Creative Director
2022 - Present
Clients : Downy, Tide, Olay, Campbell’s, Metamucil
TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, Associate Creative Director
2020 - 2022
Clients : Mtn Dew, Mtn Dew Rise, Lay’s, bubly, Snuggle, Abbott
R/GA New York, Associate Creative Director
2019 - 2020
Clients : Samsung US & Global, Verizon, Shopify
We Are Unlimited, Associate Creative Director
2017 - 2019
Client : McDonald’s US
Ogilvy Singapore, Senior Art Director
2014 - 2017
Clients : Comfort (Unilever) Southeast Asia, Coca-Cola Southeast Asia, BMW Asia, Singtel, LEGO, Health Promotion Board Singapore, Ministry of Culture Community & Youth, Singapore Sports Council, Ministry of Trade & Industry
Y&R Singapore, Art Director
2012 - 2014
Clients : BMW Asia, Caltex, M1
Ogilvy Singapore, Junior Art Director
2010 - 2012
Clients : Coca-Cola Southeast Asia, The Economist, Huggies (Unilever) Southeast Asia, CIMB Bank, LEGO, Health Promotion Board Singapore, Faber Castell
The Brand Union, Brand Designer
2009 - 2010
Clients : Sony, DHL, Kotex, Maybank, Telkom Indonesia, Aerowisata
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
BIG WON REPORT
#2 The Most Awarded TVC in the World 2017
#3 Top Integrated Campaigns in the World 2017
D&AD
One of the youngest D&AD Jury
1st Indonesian D&AD Jury
Cannes Lions
One of the Most Awarded US Work from Cannes Lions 2024
The One Show
#16 Art Director Rankings 2018
#24 Associate Creative Director Rankings 2023
The AICP Next Awards
Having work preserved in the MoMA’s Department of Film's state-of-the-art archives for future generations to study
CAMPAIGN
#8 Asia’s Most Awarded Art Directors 2012
AWARDS JURY
D&AD
AICP Awards
New York Festivals
YouTube Works
Citra Pariwara
The Gong Awards
BUZZFEED
The 4 Best Lego Ad Campaigns Ever
SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE
The Shape of Imagination permanent display
CANNES LIONS CREATIVITY REPORT
#7 Agency of the Decade (Asia)
#5 Agency of the Year (Asia)
LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Regional Network of the Year (Asia) 2017
CAMPAIGN BRIEF ASIA
#3 Singapore’s Most Awarded Creatives 2020
#4 Singapore’s Hottest Creatives 2018
#8 Asia’s Hottest Agency 2018
Singapore Creative Agency of the Year 2018
Singapore Creative Agency of the Year 2016
SPIKES ASIA
Agency of the Year 2011
CREATIVE CIRCLE AWARDS
Digital Agency of the Year 2017
Digital Agency of the Year 2016
KIND WORDS
I enjoyed working with David and appreciated his quiet confidence and unique creative sensibilities. Given his great track record of success and great bedside manner, I am confident he’d be a great addition to any creative team. He also has a serious sneaker game!
Kenneth Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, Levi’s.
David is the most stubbornly determined creative person I know of. He reminds me of me 20 years ago.
Eugene Cheong, Asia Chief Creative Officer, DDB
I respected the way that David interacted with the full team - no ego, no beef with account leadership, and openness to creative ideas from all places. He’s personable, thoughtful and dedicated to his craft like no other. I hope we can work together again some day (and win more awards together)!
Kate Kerans, Global Brand Marketing Manager, McDonald’s
There’s no doubt that Stev is one of the greatest art directors working in advertising today, both in the US and abroad. He is among a tiny handful of individuals that have been able to create award-winning work with global reach.
David Yankelewitz, ECD, R/GA New York
David Stevanov oozes talent like a mud volcano from Java. This young man is a quiet, soft-spoken, hard-working perfectionist with big ideas and dreams. Watch this space.
Juggi Ramakrishnan, Chief Creative Officer, Memac Ogilvy
David was my partner in delivering high priority global advertising campaigns for Samsung’s executive leadership in Suwon, South Korea and Ridgefield Park, USA. He is an incredibly skilled advertising creative, strong manager and all-around good person.
Martin Vogts, Group Strategy Director, R/GA New York
Having worked with David for over 6 years, I have seen him grow from strength to strength. David has shown great leap in terms of leadership, maturity and business acumen while retaining his passion for both the idea and craft.
Jon Loke, ECD, Wunderman Thompson Singapore
David is someone whose career I have tracked closely with the hope of working again with him someday. He consistently impressed me with the quality of his ideas and his ability to lead creative teams to greatness.
Sonal Narain, Global Strategy Director, Energy BBDO Chicago
Despite all the accolades and achievements, David is one of the most humble creatives in the business. He is a great person with a great heart - one who inspires others around him with a big smile.
Ang Sheng Jin, ECD, MullenLowe Singapore
In addition to being an excellent professional, David is also someone I’m proud to call a friend. His loyalty and dedication to the people he cares for will make him a welcome addition to any office or community around the world.
Kevin Joseph, Creative Director, GOVT Singapore
David is a fighter. A loyalist to his dream. And he will fight until he gets what he wants.
Fajar Kurnia, ECD, Ex-Publicis Singapore