The promotion comes as the North East creative agency reports 20% revenue growth and prepares to celebrate its tenth anniversary this December.
Vida Creative has promoted Design Director Chris Stephenson to Creative Director following a record 12 months of trading, during which the agency increased revenue by 20% compared with the previous year.
The promotion also comes as the Newcastlebased independent creative agency prepares to celebrate its tenth anniversary in December.
Chris has been part of the Vida team for more than four years, working with organisations across the North East, the UK and internationally to strategically evolve their brands and bring them to life across campaigns, digital platforms and customer touchpoints.
His portfolio at Vida includes work for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, Elddis, Hoults Yard, Northumberland Cultural Education Partnership and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, alongside a broad range of businesses, charities and purpose-led organisations.
During Chris’s time with Vida, the agency has also supported a US business with a brand evolution following a $10 million Series A funding round. Vida’s long-standing relationship with Soccer Aid for UNICEF has continued during a period in which the campaign reached the milestone of £100 million raised for UNICEF.
In his new role, Chris will lead Vida’s creative direction across branding, campaigns, websites, UX and digital projects. He will also play a central role in shaping the agency’s creative standards, developing its team and helping clients respond to a rapidly changing marketing and technology landscape.
Ellen Hedley, Director of Vida Creative, said: “Chris has made an enormous contribution to Vida over the past four years. He combines original creative thinking with a real understanding of strategy, commercial objectives and what audiences need from a brand.
“He’s earned the trust of our team and our clients, and his promotion reflects both the quality of his work and the role he’ll play in Vida’s next chapter.
“Our 20% revenue growth and strongest year of trading to date give us real momentum as we approach our tenth anniversary. Chris’s promotion is an important part of how we’re investing in the agency’s future and continuing to raise the ambition of our work.
“As new technologies continue to change our industry, we’re actively exploring how AI can help us work more effectively and create better outcomes for clients. But technology can’t replace the judgement, curiosity and human understanding behind genuinely impactful creative work.
“Our clients come back to us because they value honest collaboration, strategic thinking and work that feels distinctive to them. Chris embodies that approach, and we’re delighted to recognise his contribution with this promotion.”
Chris Stephenson, Creative Director at Vida Creative, said: “The strongest creative work comes from properly understanding the people, organisations and ambitions behind it. Technology can help us explore ideas, improve processes and open up new possibilities, but it still needs experienced people asking the right questions and making thoughtful decisions.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve delivered over the past four years and of the long-term relationships we’ve built with our clients. Taking on the Creative Director role at such an important point in Vida’s journey is a genuine privilege, and I’m excited about what we can achieve next.”
Founded in 2016, Vida Creative works with tech startups, scale-ups and spin-outs, B2B service businesses, charities and community-focused organisations across branding, marketing, websites, UX, product design and campaigns.
The agency’s approach combines strategic clarity, creative thinking and open collaboration, helping clients communicate complex ideas, strengthen their positioning and build brands that support long-term growth.
vidacreative.co.uk