DOM ANTELME - MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR & MAKER.
+64 21 213 4094
Additional work and testimonials available on request.
BIO:
Advertising life
I've spent much of my career leading creativity at agencies including Bastion Aotearoa, Vision Thing, True, DDB, Saatchi & Saatchi and .99, working across on domestic and global clients.
As Executive Creative Director at Bastion Aotearoa, I've led creative teams across multiple brands, helped shape the agency's creative vision and worked closely with senior business leaders to develop brand platforms, campaigns and experiences.
Recent highlights include leading the complete rebrand of Genesis Energy, a two-year project spanning brand strategy, a new identity, creative platform and launch campaign. I also led the creative collaboration between Zeekr and Taika Waititi, bringing seven extraordinary worlds from Taika's imagination to life through Spotlight, a blend of art, advertising and brand experience.
My work has also spanned Whittaker's, Volvo, KFC and Air New Zealand, where I've helped create everything from global brand campaigns, branded entertainment, social content and PR to immersive digital experiences, including a collaboration with National Geographic.
Across it all, I've focused on building distinctive brands, leading talented people and helping them make the best possible work for our clients.
In 2018, I co-founded Vision Thing, an independent creative consultancy. We worked with brands including Air New Zealand, Sony Music, Tip Top and Auckland Zoo.
Before that, I spent five years as Creative Director at True, leading Air New Zealand's global creative account across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, North America, South America and Asia.
During that time, I helped create 18 of Air New Zealand's internationally recognised safety videos, including Men in Black: Safety Defenders and The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made, the Hobbit-inspired film featuring Taika Waititi.
Along the way, I've sat on executive leadership teams, helped shape agency direction, built and mentored creative departments and worked with senior business leaders to turn commercial challenges into creative opportunities.
Beyond advertising life
Outside the agency world, filmmaking and music have always been a big part of my creative life.
I've directed commercials and music videos, previously represented by Fish & Clips, and worked with artists including Randa, Paige and my own band, The Transits.
In 2019, I won Best Music Video at the New Zealand Music Awards for Randa's Rock Bottom. My music video work has also been featured at international film festivals in New York, Seoul, Austin, Los Angeles, Berlin and London.
I'm also a vocalist and the creative director behind the visual world of The Transits, an alternative rock band with members based in New Zealand and South Africa. Beyond writing and performing music, I direct, edit, produce and art direct our music videos and visual content. In 2023, our video for When You Went Away, directed by Ian Sweeney, won Best NZ On Air Music Video.
For me, music and filmmaking aren't separate from my commercial work. They keep me connected to culture, emerging creative tools, storytelling and the simple enjoyment of making things.
Awards life
My work has been recognised by D&AD, One Show, Clio, Mumbrella, AWARD, Axis, Effies, NZ Marketing Awards, Best Awards, Nexus and YouTube, among others. I've also judged the Axis Advertising Awards, the World Illustration Awards and appeared on TVNZ's Surviving the 80s.
Family life
When I'm not making things, I'm usually spending time with my wife, our three boys and our dog Rex.
