Tara Ford

Tara Ford is the Chief Creative Officer of The Monkeys and Accenture Song APAC, where she leads groundbreaking creative innovation across the region. A highly respected industry figure, Tara also serves on the Board of the Advertising Council of Australia and the D&AD Global Advisory Board, shaping the values and direction of the global advertising landscape.

Having worked in creative hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, London, and Amsterdam, Tara has crafted culturally transformative campaigns for iconic brands such as PlayStation, Nike, McDonald’s, Qantas, and Volkswagen. Her work has consistently earned top honors at the world’s leading award shows. Recent highlights include “The First Digital Nation” for the Tuvaluan Government, which won the Dan Wieden Titanium Grand Prix at Cannes, and “Play It Safe” for the Sydney Opera House, which secured the Cannes Film Grand Prix and the ANDY Best in Show for Craft in 2024.

Under Tara’s creative leadership, The Monkeys has achieved its most successful era in its 18-year history, with recognition spanning creative, effective, and commercial excellence. The agency’s accolades include top rankings at Cannes Lions, D&AD, and The One Show, along with numerous Agency of the Year titles.

Tara’s individual accolades underscore her impact on the industry. She was named “Creative Leader of the Year 2023/24” by AWARD and “Creative Leader of the Year 2023” by Campaign Asia, adding to a string of previous honors such as “Creative Captain 2022” (Campaign Asia-Pacific) and “Global Creative Leader of the Year 2021” (Creativepool). Ranked #1 CCO in APAC by The One Show, she is also listed among B&T’s Women in Media Power List (#5) and Mediaweek’s 50 Most Influential Creative Executives (#9).

An influential thought leader, Tara has chaired and judged at every major global award show, while also serving as a mentor and industry speaker. Her work on the boards of the Advertising Council of Australia, AWARD Council, and D&AD Advisory Board reflects her commitment to driving creativity, integrity, and innovation within the industry.

Tara Ford continues to redefine what’s possible in advertising, inspiring the next generation of creatives to push boundaries and make a meaningful impact.