Successful Before 30 - Kristina Krkljus

By: Maureen Corbett

Think your art degree or communications major won’t get you anywhere in life? Think again! 29 year old Kristina Krkljus received degrees in both fields at the University of Central Florida and is now a successful senior art director at the advertising agency TBWA/Chiat/Day.

 Upon her graduation in 2007, Krkljus held several internship positions including working at YPB&R, Y Partnership, and Crispin Porter+Bogusky. From these positions she obtained experience performing tasks such as media planning, rebranding, and developing marketing campaigns. During this time Krkljus also attended Miami Ad School and obtained her graduate degree in Art Direction in 2009. Since then, Krkljus has seen nothing but improvement and success as she climbed up to corporate latter.

Krkljus has had the opportunity to work all over the United States. She has experience working for TeamOne, whose claim to fame was the development and huge success of the Lexus brand. She also worked to develop the brand Levis for the public relations firm Edelman Digital, a branch from the world leading PR firm Edelman. Now, at TWBA/Chiat/Day in Los Angeles as the senior art director, she's an instrumental leader on brands such as Pepsi, Adidas and Crate&Barrel.

Krkljus’ greatest successes include the development of two Super Bowl commercials, working with David Beckham to create Pepsi ad campaigns, and landing on Forbes 30 under 30 list. A self-proclaimed hippie, she’s inspired by nature and her success comes from keeping her life in balance. Krkljus is an ideal example for students who are looking to find success in the art world, and her drive and creativity are key factors in her success. For Krkljus, the only place to go from here is above and beyond.  

To read more about Krkljus, visit these sources:

http://www.luerzersarchive.com/content/show/id/119

http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinakrkljus