Ari Weiss Obituary, Cause of Death; Decorated Ad Industry Veteran, Ari Weiss Passes Away Unexpectedly
It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of Ari Weiss, a highly regarded figure in the advertising industry, who died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 46 years old. Weiss was celebrated for his groundbreaking creative ideas and his profound impact on the advertising world, having worked with some of the most prestigious agencies throughout his career. His contributions to the industry, particularly in the areas of creativity and innovation, earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and clients alike.
Weiss’s career spanned several renowned agencies, including BBH, DDB, Wieden+Kennedy, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. He began his tenure at DDB in 2012, where he initially served as North American Chief Creative Officer (CCO) before being promoted to Global CCO in 2019. Under his leadership, DDB achieved numerous accolades, including winning the prestigious Cannes Lions Network of the Year award in 2023. Weiss’s vision and leadership played a pivotal role in the agency’s success during this time.
In 2022, Weiss co-founded Quality Experience, an independent creative agency, alongside partners Cristina Reina, Dan Gonda, and Colleen Leddy. Despite its short existence, the agency quickly made a name for itself, producing standout campaigns for clients such as Shutterfly and Tonal. In an interview with Adweek, Weiss shared his belief in the potential of independent agencies in a landscape where larger networks were consolidating and clients were tightening their budgets. He noted that in lean times, smaller agencies had the advantage of being more nimble and efficient, offering clients better value for their investments.
Throughout his career, Weiss worked with a diverse array of high-profile clients, including Starburst, Twix, Miller Lite, Coors Light, McDonald’s, and Volkswagen. He was also the creative force behind one of his most celebrated projects—Skittles’ alternative to Super Bowl 2019, a one-night Broadway show starring Michael C. Hall. Adweek called it a “weirdly wonderful” merger of theater and advertising that highlighted Weiss’s unique approach to creativity.
In a heartfelt tribute, the cofounders of Quality Experience shared an obituary on LinkedIn, remembering Weiss for his passion, ambition, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The statement read, “His unwavering passion, ambition, and relentless pursuit of excellence will continue to inspire, leaving a lasting impact on all of us and on the industry.
