Creative Bites: Panagiotis Pantelatos

PANAGIOTIS PANTELATOS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LEO BURNETT
PORTFOLIO NIGHT 8 ATHENS PARTICIPANT
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When reviewing a portfolio with a young creative, are you more of the type to look at the entire thing before making comments or asking questions, or do you prefer to chat and inquire throughout the process?

“I suppose that it is kind of spontaneous. Most of the work I’ve seen from young creatives is not so deeply thought out or well-finished. But there’s always a nice idea and I prefer to better judge the potentiality of what I have in front of me rather than a final output.”

What would get your attention more, a portfolio full of amazing ‘traditional’ work (print, poster, outdoor) or a portfolio of pretty good boundary stretching work (digital, interactive, wild new guerilla concepts etc.)?

“Innovative things catch your eye more easily. For someone like me, it is much easier to judge more traditional work, but it is a bit boring as well. Seeing new concepts upscales the level of enthusiasm, and offers me more drive to discuss the work, not to just give advice but really flow with it.”

Finish this sentence: “Kids these days,…”

“…are what kids are always, when judged by middle-aged guys (like me!) Throughout time the analogy stays the same.

Economy notwithstanding, is it tougher to break into the business today than it was when you first got in?

“It is tougher for the mediocre now than it was when I got in. Agencies don’t easily hire now and if your work’s potential is not very clear, you probably don’t stand a chance. But exceptional work will always find its way, and the one that has it will always be hired… mind you, not so well paid though!”