Kris Theorin Named “One to Watch” on Ad Age’s Gen Z List
Ad Age’s Gen Z List highlights 24 young professionals already making an outsized impact on the advertising and media industry. Kris Theorin, our Creative Director and viral VFX-driven storyteller whose content has amassed over a billion views across social media platforms, is redefining what it means to build a career in visual effects and animation.
Unlike most in the industry, Kris didn’t come up through established studios or formal education. He’s entirely self-taught and builds his craft through experimentation, online resources, and relentless iteration. What began as creating stop-motion animated shorts in his family’s basement using Lego bricks – which led to several YouTube campaigns with The LEGO Group, has evolved into a distinctive creative that now attracts global brand partnerships including Samsung, Warner Bros., Disney, LG, and Mattel.
Kris was selected for his recent VFX work, including a Samsung campaign to launch their new Galaxy Flip 7. The VFX-packed 15-second video garnered over 530 million views and 1.8 million likes.
Kris’ creative campaign for Xfinity, promoting their high-speed internet, led to over 20.5 million views and 55,000 likes on TikTok.
His inclusion on Ad Age’s Gen Z “One to Watch” list marks a significant shift: it’s the first time a digital creator working independently in visual effects and animation has been recognized alongside traditional industry players. It signals a broader evolution in how VFX, animation and creative careers are built, and how brands are sourcing talent.
The 2026 honorees featured on Outfront Media billboards in Times Square and at the Ad Age Gen Z Career Forum on March 3 in New York.