Ahmer Kalam / Creative Director / Founder / Artist Somehow, I made
a career out of
having ideas.
Where it startedBorn in Karachi. Raised in Hong Kong on dumplings and samosas.
Growing up between cultures taught me that the best ideas come from mixing worlds. It’s shaped everything I’ve made since.
GratitudeSome pretty good company along the way.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my career. I’ve worked at some of the world’s best advertising agencies, alongside some of the most talented people in the business. Brilliant writers, Oscar-winning directors, extraordinary photographers, illustrators, designers, and producers. People who took ideas and made them better than I could have imagined.
I’ve learned from some of the best minds in advertising, worked with clients who trusted us to take chances, and made a few lifelong friends along the way.
Looking back, the awards and big brands are wonderful. But it’s the people, the relationships, and the things we made together that I’m most grateful for.
Thirty years later, I’m still happiest sitting around a table with good people, trying to make something great.
By the numbers
Experience
Now
Design Hierarchy
Founder
A creative consultancy building brand stories for founders, artists, humanitarians and philanthropists.
2011–2015
mcgarrybowen · Dentsu
Executive Creative Director
Led creative for JPMorgan Chase & Co, across retail, business, sports sponsorship, credit cards and private client, and for Marriott’s brands. The Chase Masters campaign with Serena Williams drove adoption of Chase’s digital tools. Led 40+ creatives and 100 account professionals.
Clients: JPMorgan Chase & Co · Chase · Marriott · Maserati
2009–2011
McCann Worldwide
Global Creative Director
Led Intel globally. Launched Holiday Inn’s global identity campaign and Mastercard’s Priceless Cities, creating a look the brand still uses today.
Clients: Intel · Staples · Mastercard · Verizon
2006–2009
Howald Kalam
Co-founder
Founded with long-time writing partner Rachel Howald.
Clients: Intel · Nokia · GE Financial · Kamik · Safe Horizon · TheStreet
1996–2006
Young & Rubicam
Art Director to Executive Creative Director
Rose to Executive Creative Director in New York, leading high-profile accounts across 17 countries and 46 languages.
Clients: Citibank · Computer Associates · Cadbury Schweppes · Pepperidge Farm · AT&T · Showtime · Pella Windows · Kraft Foods
1994
Moffatt/Rosenthal
Intern · Portland, Oregon
Prepping boards. Cleaning. Doing whatever was needed. They paid for my parking.
Thank you, Rob, Mike and Carl.
Recognition
Two Emmy nominations
Clio Awards
Cannes Lions
Permanent collection, Museum of Modern Art
Different challenges. Same curiosity.
After two decades of helping some of the world’s largest brands tell their stories, I founded Design Hierarchy, an independent creative consultancy.
Today, I work with founders, artists, philanthropists, and organizations to help bring ambitious ideas into the world.
The projects may be different, but the approach remains the same: understand the people, find the idea, and bring together the right talent to make it happen.
Visit Design Hierarchy →Kind words
Ted Bell, Vice Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director, Young & Rubicam
“A great eye and a big heart.”
Joyce King Thomas, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, McCann XBC
“On a scale of one to ten, he’s an 11.5.”
Gordon Bowen, Global Chairman, dentsu mcgarrybowen