Karla Santa Anna  (Crayo)

Karla Santa Anna (Crayo)

CD at CD Freelance
Los Angeles, United States

About me

I am Karla Santa Anna, but people also know me as Crayola or Crayolus. I'm proud to have been born and raised in Mexico City. I'm a highly strategic and versatile creative, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications. With two decades in the Advertising Industry under my belt, I've had the privilege of working as a Creative Director and Art Director at several multinational agencies like JWT, Marcel (Publicis Groupe), and Y&R (which has now transformed into VML).

Six years ago, I moved to the sunny city of Los Angeles. During this time, I've embraced freelancing, collaborating with a range of agencies like ROW, 0-1 agency, Latinworks, La Reyna, Ogilvy LA/NY/& Health, and Gallegos United. Alongside these, I occasionally work on independent projects for the Mexican and LATAM markets.

Outside of advertising, I sometimes wear the hats of an illustrator and a music experimentalist. I believe my purpose is to explore creativity in as many ways as possible. Anything related to the cosmos, meditation, mental health, music, art and experimentation in all its forms, sparks my interest.

I am a permanent US resident
( Greencard - EB1 Visa )

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Worked and pitched for:

Nestlé, Coca Cola, Schering Plough, Nescafé, Special Olympics Global, Heineken, Johnson & Johnson, Cerveza Sol, Bonafont, Proactiv USA, Save the Children, CeraVe Global, SkinCeuticals USA, La Roche Posay USA, Telefonica Movistar, Kimberly Clark, Diageo, Danone, Cadbury Adams, Kraft, Pirelli, Saks Fifth Avenue, Unilever, Walmart, LG Electronics, Sanofi, Tec de Monterrey College, Gaia Amazonas Foundation, Naranjo Afterschool, Fundacion Michu y Mao, Reves Distillery, Lipton Tea, Yummies, Bafar, Gallo Olive Oil, Chick-fil-A.

Languages
  • English - Pro
  • Spanish - Native

Positions

Creative Director
Freelance / Los Angeles, CA
United States
September 2017 - 2024 (6 years 4 months)
I've been based in Los Angeles, freelancing for multiple agencies such as ROW (Rest of the World), 0-1 agency, Latinworks, La Reyna, Ogilvy LA/NY/& Health, Gallegos United, and more.I also take on independent projects for clients in Mexico and LATAM.I've been based in Los Angeles, freelancing for multiple agencies such as ROW (Rest of the World), 0-1 agency, Latinworks, La Reyna, Ogilvy LA/NY/& Health, Gallegos United, and more.I also take on independent projects for clients in Mexico and LATAM.
Executive Creative Director (DGC/MX)
Mexico City, Mexico
January 2016 - August 2017 (1 year 7 months)
In early 2016, I was offered the role of Executive Creative Director at Young & Rubicam Mexico [now VMLY&R]. Working under the guidance of Hector Fernandez [CEO] and Saul Escobar [CVP], and with me as ECD, we managed to elevate Y&R Mexico from the 14th to the 4th position in the national creative agency rankings at the Circulo de Oro Festival in less than a year. This rapid turnaround set the creative bar for the agency moving forward.
Group Creative Director
Mexico, Mexico
November 2012 - February 2015 (2 years 3 months)
I was tasked by Publicis Groupe to help open the doors of Mexico's inaugural Publicis creative boutique: Marcel DF. With just a small creative team of four, we won multiple large accounts such as Nescafe, Heineken and Cerveza Sol. My contributions as a GCD played a pivotal role in bolstering the company's business during its initial two years, ultimately paving the way for its transformation into a fully self-sustaining agency.
Creative Director
Mexico, Mexico
December 2002 - November 2012 (9 years 11 months)
For a decade, I honed my skills and climbed the ladder at JWT. During this period, I juggled the roles of an art director and a copywriter simultaneously. Eventually, I achieved the distinction of becoming one of the youngest female creative directors in Mexico. As a creative director at JWT, my efforts yielded substantial outcomes for the company, securing both national and international creative awards. This success further elevated our standing in the advertising industry, gaining increased recognition.For a decade, I honed my skills and climbed the ladder at JWT. During this period, I juggled the roles of an art director and a copywriter simultaneously. Eventually, I achieved the distinction of becoming one of the youngest female creative directors in Mexico. As a creative director at JWT, my efforts yielded substantial outcomes for the company, securing both national and international creative awards. This success further elevated our standing in the advertising industry, gaining increased recognition.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication

August 1999 - June 2003 (3 years 10 months)
The Visual Communication career is a multidisciplinary field that combines aspects of graphic design, art, anthropology, technology, and communication to train professionals capable of creating and conveying effective visual messages across a variety of media and contexts. Students explore a wide range of disciplines, including color theory and psychology, composition, photography, illustration, animation, and interactive design. Additionally, they acquire knowledge in areas such as storytelling, typography, branding, art history, illustration, and design, and engage in practical projects that allow them to apply their skills in various professional settings. The Visual Communications career prepares graduates to work in fields such as graphic design, advertising, digital media design, entertainment industry, education, and more, where they can contribute their creativity and ability to communicate visually impactful and persuasive messages.

Other professional activities

I TEMPLE

Music Band
June 2023 - Present (1 year 5 months)
I Temple is an experimental music band created by Mexican artist Karla Santa Anna. Its sonic tapestry weaves together elements of experimental and electronic art rock, infused with an ethereal voice, observational lyrics, sticky beats, and a sprinkle of jazz. However, genre and style take a backseat as the essence of I Temple beckons you to dance, sing, cry, meditate, or engage in whatever resonates with your vibrant spirit, fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness. An invitation to constantly unfold and embrace the ever-evolving nature of our human experience. "Expansion" is the debut album, made in Los Angeles, California and was release on June 5th, 2023. Seven tracks meticulously crafted to inspire movement, ignite emotions, and foster introspection.

PHNX AWARDS 2023

Awards Jury Member

ALL JURY EXPERIENCE

in Advertising:
JWT NETWORK CANNES SELECTION / VEGA OLMOS LEADERSHIP 2010 • RADIO / A.R.V.M 2013 • TVC / PRINT / AND HISPANIC MARKET /OJO DE IBEROAMERICA 2013 • TVC / RADIO / CONTENT / CÍRCULO CREATIVO MÉXICO • YOUNG CREATIVES / CÍRCULO CREATIVO MÉXICO 2014 • SOCIAL NETWORK INDEPENDENT CREATIVITY/ FIAP 2014 • RADIO / A.R.V.M 2016 • ALL CATEGORIES / @CICLOPE LATINO 2017 • YOUNG LIONS CONTEST / CÍRCULO CREATIVO MÉXICO 2017 • BRANDED CONTENT / EL SOL DE BILBAO, SPAIN 2017 • ALL CATEGORIES / @CICLOPE LATINO, 2018 • OUTDOOR / FEPI 2018 • ENVIRONMENTAL, BRAND IDENTITY, GRAPHIC DESIGN, S&T + AI, PRINT, OUTDOOR & CRAFT/ PHNX AWARDS 2023

PHNX 2024

Awards Jury Member

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