Wayne Deakin
Creative director
Wayne is a globally recognised creative leader with over 25 years of experience shaping
brands and driving design innovation across Asia, Europe, and the US. His path into the
industry has been anything but conventional. Following a professional surfing career, he
found his way into advertising via AWARD School in Oz - an unexpected pivot that
launched a career across some of the world’s most respected agencies and brands.
Deakin has held senior creative and design leadership roles at Jung von Matt, Jam, Engine
Group, AKQA, and Huge. Most recently, he served as Global Principal, Creative and Global
Executive Creative Director at branding consultancy Wolff Olins, where he led global
design and experience initiatives. In this role, he partnered directly with C-suite leaders to
break down silos and reimagine what modern brands and experiences can achieve.
Throughout his career, he has delivered transformative work for Google, Nike, Nothing, On
Running, Selfridges, Apple, Chanel, LVMH, Uber, Mercedes and the Mercedes F1 team, LG,
Lloyds, Rolls Royce, Ubisoft, BBC, and Warner Bros - even the Olympics and the United
Nations, to name a few.
As well as DTC, B2B and B2C brands, Wayne has worked with cultural institutions and
helped create installations for galleries and museums - including work for BAFTA and the
Serpentine. His output blends storytelling, technology, and design to deliver both cultural
relevance and commercial impact.
Recognised by major global award shows, he has judged and chaired prestigious juries,
received numerous individual honours, and led agencies to win multiple industry titles. He
has collaborated with icons such as Virgil Abloh and Milton Glaser, with his work featured in
leading publications and design museums worldwide.
A passionate advocate for Neurodiversity and emerging creative talent, Wayne regularly
contributes to media and publications. He is also a sought-after speaker at conferences
around the world, sharing insights on creativity, innovation, and the future of design - with
his trademark optimism and energy in the power of ideas to create change