Liz Castañeda

Liz Castañeda is an award-winning Creative Director with 14 years of experience turning ideas into work that people notice, remember, and sometimes even talk about.

She began her career in 2012 at BBDO Guerrero in the Philippines. Her work earned recognition in the Adobo Creative Rankings throughout her career, and in 2016, she was named Art Director of the Year at Ripple Awards.

Since then, Liz has created work across some of advertising’s most diverse categories, from telecommunications and consumer brands to healthcare, beauty, tourism, and luxury real estate. Her portfolio includes celebrated campaigns such as Pantene’s “Labels Against Women,” which won a Bronze Cyber Lion and a Grand Prix Lotus; Johnson’s Baby’s “Your Touch Is Enough, Mom,” which earned a Bronze at AdStars and a Silver at the Kidlat Awards; and the Department of Tourism’s “Photo Fails,” which won a Bronze Lotus and Gold at AdStars. Her work has been recognized at Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, Dubai Lynx, AdFest, London International Awards, Campaign Brief Asia, and other international creative festivals.

Today, she is an Associate Creative Director at VML Dubai, where she works across some of the region’s most ambitious brands and businesses. Her current portfolio spans luxury real estate, beauty, and purpose-led work, including Meraas, Dubai Properties, Nakheel, Aldar, L’Oréal, and Bee’ah.

Her career has also taken her deep into healthcare, where she has developed work for global pharmaceutical brands including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Merck, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly. From 2024 to 2026, she was invited to serve on the Pharma Jury for the New York Festivals, evaluating work from across the global advertising industry.

What has stayed constant throughout her career is a belief that good ideas should do more than look good. They should have something to say, find a way into culture, and leave a mark. As a creative leader, Liz is passionate about developing talent, and creating an environment where ambitious ideas can grow. She also embraces emerging technology and AI as new creative tools, using them to push how ideas are imagined, crafted, and brought to life.

Outside advertising, Liz is an avid drummer, an unapologetic animal lover, and the proud teacher of tricks to her dog, cat, and seven parrots.

Grand Jury, New York Festivals 2024, Health Awards.