Craig Elimeliah has been appointed chief creative officer at Code and Theory, a technology-led creative agency. The Stagwell shop maintains a staff of 50 percent engineers and 50 percent creatives.
Elimeliah is the latest hire for Code and Theory which last month brought Raj Bhatia on board as global chief technology officer from Deloitte Digital. Code and Theory has also been actively promoting from within, naming Kristen Cromer as head of strategic accounts.
Most recently, Elimeliah was CCO at Lippe Taylor, where he also helmed the start-up agency /prompt. Before /prompt and Lippe Taylor, he spent nearly eight years at VML as chief experience design officer.
His client roster spans most industries and includes T-Mobile, Amazon, Google, New Balance, BP, Motorola, Pfizer, Humana, Time Warner Cable, J&J, NBCUniversal, Clorox, Mattel, Nestle, Novartis, Microsoft, Intel, Fila, AXE, Perdue, HP, Samsung, John Varvatos and MINI. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Elimeliah has been recognized at award shows such as Cannes, D&AD, ADC, LIA, Clios, The One Show, and The Webby Awards.
Elimeliah said, “In an era where the industry is witnessing unprecedented change, the fusion of creativity and technology has never been more tightly bound. I am thrilled to be at a place that epitomizes this integration, aligning with the ethos I’ve championed throughout my career. Code and Theory’s commitment to marrying technology with creativity is not only forward-thinking but also reflective of the transformative power these elements hold. I’m inspired to lead a team that embraces this synergy to redefine categories, embed culture and drive impactful solutions for our clients.”
Code and Theory co-founder Dan Gardner said of Elimeliah, “In a world where creativity can sometimes feel commoditized, he stands out as a remarkable exception. He identifies unique opportunities by skillfully navigating the balance between anticipating future trends and implementing practical solutions for the present. Craig is a thought leader and a tech-enabled creative pioneer. He is unparalleled in leading our balanced team of 50 percent engineers and 50 percent creatives. His leadership is key to delivering impactful solutions that promise long-term growth for our clients while being a partner in our own transformational growth moment.”
Code and Theory CEO Michael Treff stated, “Craig brings an unrivaled passion for culture, technology, science, and data, and how they merge with creativity, craftsmanship and storytelling. He seamlessly blends new and unconventional approaches to connect brands with customers, resulting in captivating experiences that redefine categories, embed culture and disrupt the status quo for clients.”
Flagship agency Code and Theory is part of the Code and Theory Network which also includes Kettle, Mediacurrent, Rhythm and Truelogic. The Code and Theory Network resides within the Stagwell Group. Code and Theory clients include Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, MSNBC, NFL, Pfizer and Zappos.