On Saturday, March 10th, 2012, the American Advertising Federation’s Phoenix chapter bestowed the industry achievement award of “Creative Director of the Year” to RIESTER’s Tom Ortega.

The 2012 Creative Director of the Year Award, also known as AAF’s GLORY AWARD, recognizes the advertising community’s most innovative and inspiring creative director — and RIESTER is thrilled that this year’s award goes to our own Tom Ortega. This award publicly acknowledges the Creative Director who has consistently conceptualized break through ad campaigns for clients; brings vision, leadership and results to every project; and who most inspires his creative team to follow their passions in pursuit of the best advertising.

Tom Ortega embodies all of these traits. Tom is a true creative genius; he takes a disciplined approach to advertising, while still striving for exceptional creative originality. In his role as Partner and Chief Creative Officer at RIESTER, Tom provides leadership and education to his team, and inspires those around him. Tom is brilliant, everyone loves and respects him, and RIESTER couldn’t be more proud or honored to take our creative direction from him.

Tom Ortega has been one of America’s most talented ad men for two and half decades. He first moved to Phoenix in the early 1980’s from his native Texas as a copywriter and wrote award-winning national campaigns for Safeway, PetsMart, and Doubletree Hotels.

Since joining RIESTER as our creative director in 2000, Tom led development of incredibly successful campaigns for tobacco control in Arizona, Colorado and Louisiana; methamphetamine prevention in Utah and Arizona, recycling for all of California; Gold’s Gym International for more than 600 gyms in 20 countries; and Culligan water in 19 western states. More recently, as RIESTER’s Chief Creative Officer, Tom Ortega’s advertising has lifted the HERDEZ brand in America by more than 65%. He re-launched La Victoria in the western United States in June of 2010 and sales have seen record growth. He helped Idahoan Foods surpass Hungry Jack and Betty Crocker to become the number one packaged potato products brand in America. Tom’s creative assisted the Arizona Lottery in climbing from 38th to 2nd in the United States for year-over-year sales gains. And, he branded MidFirst Bank as “True to Your Money” helping it post its highest growth year in 2010.

Tom Ortega is so dedicated to the arts, even with all the demands of being a Partner at RIESTER he still goes to his art studio at 4:30am every morning and paints the contemporary designs that have been featured at Bentley Gallery in Scottsdale and exhibited at other impressive locations around the world.

Most important, however, is Tom’s commitment to his family, co-workers and charity. Watching his children perform, helping them with their homework, and hearing about his wife Stacia’s social work inspires Tom the most. Although his meeting schedule forces him to actually jog between conference rooms and airports, Tom always makes time to help his colleagues both personally and professionally. And, from his wardrobe to his hybrid, Tom is a living example of environmental activism. He donates his time, talent and money to Doctors Without Borders, Sierra Club, Audubon Society and RIESTER Foundation. Tom and his family also volunteer at a community garden that grows fresh produce for homeless shelters.

From all of us at RIESTER, congratulations Tom. And thank you for continuing to teach us, challenge us, and inspire us–everyday.