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Quality Experience founder, Ari Weiss, dies aged 46
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The former DDB Global CCO passed on Friday after a long battle with cancer, leaving a lasting legacy in advertising.
Ari Weiss, a visionary leader in the advertising industry and Founder and Creative Chairman of Quality Experience, passed away on Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 46.
In a heartfelt statement, his colleagues at Quality Experience expressed their deep sorrow:
"As friends and colleagues of Ari Weiss, each of us at Quality Experience are deeply saddened by his passing on Friday after a long battle with cancer. His unwavering passion, ambition, and relentless pursuit of excellence will continue to inspire, leaving a lasting impact on all of us and on the industry."
Credits
powered by
- Agency Wieden + Kennedy/Portland
- Production Company Alturas Films
- Director Michael Mann
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Credits
powered by
- Agency Wieden + Kennedy/Portland
- Production Company Alturas Films
- Director Michael Mann
- CD/Writer Alberto Ponte
- CD Wieden + Kennedy/Portland
- Copywriter Ari Weiss
- Art Director Ryan O'Rourke
- Exec Producer Ben Grylewicz
- Exec CD Steve Luker
- Exec CD Jelly Helm
- Exec Producer Marshall Rawlings
- Stylist Keith Wager
- DP Mauro Fiore | (Director/DP)
- Editor Haines Hall
- Colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld
- VFX Asylum
- VFX Supervisor Asylum
- Exec Producer Michael Pardee
- Inferno Artist James Allen / (Partner)
- Sound Design Ren Klyce
- Audio post Loren Silber
- Producer Kevin Diller
- Line Producer Leslie Vaughn
- Producer Bryan Carroll
- Compositor Rob Trent
- Compositor Joey Brattesani
- Producer Mark Kurtz
- Inferno Artist Chris DeCristo
- Inferno Artist Chris Moore / (VFX Artist)
- Inferno Artist Paul Kirsch
- Smoke Artist Adam Frazier
- Smoke Artist Scott Johnson
- VFX Supervisor Robert Stadd
- Animator 3D Scott Smith / (Director)
- Song "The Last of the Mohicans Theme" Trevor Jones & Randy Edelman
- Talent Shawne Merriman
- Talent Steven Jackson
Credits
powered by
- Agency Wieden + Kennedy/Portland
- Production Company Alturas Films
- Director Michael Mann
- CD/Writer Alberto Ponte
- CD Wieden + Kennedy/Portland
- Copywriter Ari Weiss
- Art Director Ryan O'Rourke
- Exec Producer Ben Grylewicz
- Exec CD Steve Luker
- Exec CD Jelly Helm
- Exec Producer Marshall Rawlings
- Stylist Keith Wager
- DP Mauro Fiore | (Director/DP)
- Editor Haines Hall
- Colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld
- VFX Asylum
- VFX Supervisor Asylum
- Exec Producer Michael Pardee
- Inferno Artist James Allen / (Partner)
- Sound Design Ren Klyce
- Audio post Loren Silber
- Producer Kevin Diller
- Line Producer Leslie Vaughn
- Producer Bryan Carroll
- Compositor Rob Trent
- Compositor Joey Brattesani
- Producer Mark Kurtz
- Inferno Artist Chris DeCristo
- Inferno Artist Chris Moore / (VFX Artist)
- Inferno Artist Paul Kirsch
- Smoke Artist Adam Frazier
- Smoke Artist Scott Johnson
- VFX Supervisor Robert Stadd
- Animator 3D Scott Smith / (Director)
- Song "The Last of the Mohicans Theme" Trevor Jones & Randy Edelman
- Talent Shawne Merriman
- Talent Steven Jackson
Above: 2008's Leave Nothing for Nike, one of Weiss' early hits.
Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Weiss began his illustrious career in the late 1990s as a copywriting intern at Goodby Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco. He further honed his craft at renowned agencies including Cliff Freeman & Partners, BBDO, Wieden+Kennedy, and 180LA.
In 2011, he joined BBH New York, where he rose to the position of Chief Creative Officer over six years. Weiss then served as North American Chief Creative Officer and later Global Chief Creative Officer at DDB Worldwide. Under his leadership, DDB achieved significant accolades, including being named Global Network of the Year at The Effies, The One Show, D&AD, and The Cannes International Festival of Creativity—a first in the agency's 75-year history.
In early 2024, Weiss founded Quality Experience (QX), a boutique agency dedicated to creating meaningful brand-consumer interactions. He assembled a talented team, including Cristina Reina, Colleen Leddy, and Dan Gonda, and quickly made an impact with campaigns for clients such as Shutterfly and Tonal.
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Axe – Susan Glenn
Playstation – Perfect Day
Netflix – Frank Underwood
Skittles – Exclusive the Rainbow
Skittles – Advertising Ruins Everything
Coors – Chillboards
Skittles – Apologize The Rainbow
Tonal – Power Progress
Above: A selection of Weiss' iconic works.
Throughout his career, Weiss was known for bold, unconventional storytelling. He spearheaded iconic campaigns for brands like Skittles, Starburst, Twix, Miller Lite, Coors Light, McDonald's, and Volkswagen. One of his most daring projects was Broadway the Rainbow for Skittles in 2019, where the brand staged a one-night-only Broadway musical featuring actor Michael C. Hall instead of a traditional Super Bowl ad.
Weiss is survived by his wife, Dara; their three children, Layla, Luca, and Lev; his parents, Marylin and Abe; his sister, Lara; and his brothers, Adam and Ilan.
