Richmond Times-Dispatch Gets to Know Jorge Calleja
Getting to know: Jorge Calleja Acuna from The Martin Agency
Title: Executive creative director at Richmond-based The Martin Agency
Born: April 12, 1974, Mexico City
Education: Attended Universidad del Nuevo Mundo
Career: Leche Mexico (1998-2001); Six Foot Studios, art director (2001-2002); Juxt Interactive, art director (2002-2004); Exopolis, associate creative director (2004-2005); Goodby Silverstein & Partners, associate creative director (2005-2007); Wieden+Kennedy, creative director (2007-2010); Sid Lee Amsterdam, executive creative director (2010-2012); The Martin Agency, global group creative director (2012-September 2014), executive creative director (September 2014–present)
In which part of town do you live: Richmond’s West End
Best business decision: “Selling my design shop in Mexico. In 1997, I started Leche, a multimedia design shop focused on digital experimentation (The Mexperimental Project). And I loved it. But in 2001 after 9/11, the economy crashed and I wanted to see more of the world, to expand my creative journey beyond what I knew at the time. So (I) sold the shop and I moved to Houston to work at Six Foot Studios.”
Worst business decision: “Selling my design shop in Mexico. I love this global journey I have set out on and, truthfully, wouldn’t trade it if given the chance. But there is part of me that wishes I had held on to that shop. We did some great work in the short time it was open. And Mexico, of course, will always have my heart.”
Mistake you learned the most from: “I can’t name one mistake. In fact, making mistakes has become a hobby of mine. Failure can become a virtue under the right lens. If you are willing to embrace it and understand that it’s just a part of learning, I assure you, you will become relentless. Long live adversity.”
What is the biggest challenge/opportunity in the next two to five years: “For the past 50 years, The Martin Agency has done amazing work primarily in the U.S. market. My challenge now is to create world-class work that travels — work that has a global impact and a worldwide perspective.”
First job after college: “I was an assistant director for Simón Bross, a famous Mexican director and producer. He recruited me right out of college to help him create TV spots. Interestingly enough, I decided to forgo my fourth and final year of college to work for Simón. The dean of my university said I had two choices: fill a portfolio or graduate with a title. He encouraged me to chase after my portfolio and I’ve never once wished that I stayed.”
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently: “Easy, I would become a professional ‘fútbol’ player (that’s soccer in North America).”
Book/movie that inspired you the most: “That is a tough one-answer question. My favorite directors of all time would have to be Alfonso Cuarón (mine all time mexi-hero), Pedro Almodóvar for his art direction and Roman Polanski for his theatrical story-telling. My favorite writers are Hermann Hesse, Henry Miller and Octavio Paz.”
Favorite/least favorite subject in school: “My favorite school subject would have to be art. But surprisingly, I’ve always had a passion for physics and mathematics. I really enjoy problem solving; it’s part of my daily life. My least favorite was always related to law. Rules are no strength of mine.”
