Chris Clarke
Chris is regarded as one of the most significant thought leaders in the advertising and marketing world. He is credited for revolutionizing marketing in the early 90’s with the establishment of guerilla marketing and innovating digital marketing in early 2000’s.
Chris founded Nitro in Shanghai in 2001, redefining the advertising industry by vertically integrating industry offerings: innovation, brand strategy, traditional advertising, and digital advertising. Nitro quickly became a global network with seven offices around the world with a client base that included Mars, Nike, Unilever and Coca-Cola. In 2009, Nitro merged with Sapient, creating SapientNitro, which became the largest independent advertising and digital agency in the world. When Chris left SapientNitro as Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer; it had 9,500 employees, 36 offices around the world. In December 2014, SapientNitro was sold to Publicis Groupe for $3.7 Billion.
In 1993, Chris founded Pure Creative. It quickly expanded into seven offices, from Melbourne to Beijing, and became one of the hottest creative agencies in the world. Clients included Mars Inc., Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, and the Australian Tourist Commission. Pure Creative was sold to Leo Burnett in 2000.
Chris is passionate about philanthropy and is on the board of directors of The Chopra Foundation, Children of Fallen Patriots and Covenant House. Chris’ ultimate dream is to create content that expands the mind so we all take a moment to see “life” through the lens a bit differently than before; working towards the congruent evolution of brands and people “together” building a better world.
Chris recently teamed up with his creative partner, Ashlee, to co-produce the adaptation of the movie, “Tootsie”, into a Broadway musical-comedy. Their production debuted on Broadway in April, 2019, and has since earned 11 Tony Award nominations and 2 Tony wins for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and Best Book of a Musical. Tootsie has also garnered awards from the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Critics’ Circle, and Drama Desk Awards as well as rave reviews from publications including the New York Times and Variety.
Chris and Ashlee’s second Broadway show is the highly anticipated “American Buffalo” starring Lawrence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss which was in rehearsals until Covid-19 struck, delaying their April 24th opening. When Broadway reopens, American Buffalo will open with the above cast.