RYAN LEE
Creative Director

About

Ryan Lee
Creative Director

I am a strategic and business-oriented creative leader with extensive global experience across a wide range of industries, including tech, lifestyle, culture focused brands and more. I have helped in launching brands, mentoring and growing high-performing teams, and delivering impactful, culturally resonant brand experiences across different parts of the globe. I’m passionate about working on strategic creative work that has intent and fostering meaningful stories / experiences that connect with audiences worldwide.

Press

Rolling Stones
Engadget
Hypebeast
Gizmodo
Business Insider
Adweek
Billboard
Harpers
Vice
Architectural Digest
Verge
Polygon
Entertainment Weekly
TMZ

Experience

AIRBNB | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
April 2025 - Present | Social

Actively developing and managing work for social platforms for Airbnb’s launch of their new Services and Experiences lines of businesses.

WAZE / GOOGLE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
April 2021 - Present | Global Brand / Product / Social

I was brought into Waze to lead creative branding in its top performing markets and develop go to market strategies / creative work for product. I managed work globally across different teams in Brazil, France and London. I managed agencies + vendors and worked cross functionally with different teams. My role was expanded into multiple different areas where I helped to build an internal infrastructure for social and work tightly with product team to develop future product strategies and implementations.

MEDIA ARTS LAB | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
April 2017 – Sept 2019 | Global Brand / Apple Music / iPhone / Mac

I primarily led teams and worked cross functionally with other departments on Apple Music. This involved integrated creative campaign development and global creative   localization management across numerous international markets. I directed and managed teams on developing broadcast work for Apple Music + Japan. Additionally, during my time here, I managed and touched multiple business lines for Apple: iPhone, Mac, Services, Arcade, Watch and Global branding.

TIGERPIG & CO | CO-FOUNDER
2018 | Co-founded a pet accessories company

Developed and launched a dog accessories company with the primary purpose of giving to animals in need. Named after our bulldog, Harvey the TigerPig, the company was focused around a collection of bandanas which I helped in designing, sourcing and marketing. We were written up by Design Milk, NotCot, Good Housekeeping magazine, and Voyage LA. Moby (the artist) also carried our products at his vegan restaurant, Little Pine. To date, we’ve given back to over 20+ NPO’s.

MCCANN NEW YORK | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
July 2014 - Feb 2015 | Mastercard

Developed global branding campaigns for Mastercard.

SAATCHI & SAATCHI | ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jan 2013 - Feb 2014 | Progresso

Concepted and produced a creative integrated campaign for Progresso, creating a different spin on a classic formula for their TV campaign.

BBDO | SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Nov 2011 - Jan 2013 | GE

Created integrated campaigns for GE, specifically their appliance division. Fully concepted and developed every stage of a campaign that stretched from a 7 day shoot across the US to an integrated interactive site all the way down to promotional banners.

CRISPIN PORTER BOGUSKY | ART DIRECTOR
Feb 2011 - Oct 2011 | Coke Zero

Specifically worked on creating TV and digital work for Coke Zero. Additionally, I worked on a range of other accounts helping to develop creative ideas from traditional to experiential to digital advertising. 

GOODNESS MFG | ART DIRECTOR
April 2021 - February 2001 | GT Bicycles, Star Wars, Lego, Lucas Arts, + more

Coming out of grad school at VCU Adcenter, I was GMFG’s first and primary art director. I had a hand in every single client and work coming out the agency where I developed technical, creative and even management skills very early in my career.

FREELANCE  | CREATIVE
AirBnB, Beats by Dre, Google, Anomaly, 72andSunny, Deutsch, Saatchi LA, Untitled WW, Omelet LA, 360i, KBS+, Momentum Toyota, Game of War, American Express, and more.

Education

VCU ADCENTER | MASTERS
2005 - 2007 / Masters in Communication

Completed a two year program for art direction and marketing.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY | BACHELOR
2001 – 2005 / Bachelors in Science and Communication

Studied advertising and marketing.