Wesley Wayne Phelan
Wesley Wayne Phelan
Ogilvy
Executive Creative Director
Wes Phelan, a South African Executive Creative Director, is making waves in San Francisco with his work at Goodby Silverstein & Partners. Notably, his 2024 Super Bowl commercials for BMW, starring Christopher Walken, and Mountain Dew, featuring Aubrey Plaza, were hailed as the top two advertisements by prestigious outlets like the New York Times and CNN.
Before his tenure in San Francisco, Phelan contributed significantly at Johannes Leonardo, working on prominent accounts like Adidas Originals and TripAdvisor. His innovative approach on these brands not only drove substantial business growth but also garnered a plethora of international accolades, including multiple Cannes Lions. Remarkably, his work on the Adidas 'Original is never finished' campaign received the first Grand Prix in the Music Entertainment category in 2017.
Recognized as one of the top 22 creative directors in Adweek’s “2017 top 100”, Phelan is celebrated for his visionary redefinition of creative possibilities. His contributions have been acknowledged in the Cannes Game Changers book and exhibition, which highlights 60 years of industry-transforming advertising.
Beyond his agency achievements, Phelan's passion for film is evident through his direction of commercials, short films, and music videos. His career began to ascend rapidly when he became one of South Africa's youngest creative directors at MetropolitanRepublic, a WPP company in Johannesburg. Despite amassing numerous accolades both locally and internationally, Phelan remains focused on touching hearts rather than merely collecting trophies. His commitment lies in crafting unique and memorable connections between audiences and brands.