Matt Willson

Creative Director at Animus Creative

Speaker

Matt Wilson, the Creative Director of Animus Creative, stands out as a branding expert with a unique blend of professional acumen and personal passion. With a legacy that began in the Middle East in 2005, Matt has worked with iconic brands such as Ooredoo and Disney, bringing their stories to life through strategic and visually compelling narratives. Beyond his notable achievements in branding, Matt is an ardent tabletop gaming enthusiast, boasting over 30 years of experience in role-playing games. This extensive gaming history is not just a hobby but a significant influence on his creative approach, blending storytelling with strategy in brand development.

Matt's leadership of the WePlay Nation Facebook community underscores his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the gaming world, creating an inclusive space for gamers from varied backgrounds. This dedication to fostering a welcoming gaming environment mirrors his professional ethos of making brands resonate deeply with diverse audiences.

In addition to his branding and gaming pursuits, Matt is passionate about mentoring startups, sharing his wealth of knowledge to help new businesses thrive. His love for adventure extends to the great outdoors, where he finds inspiration in mountain climbing and exploring. Matt Wilson is more than a brand consultant; he's a storyteller, strategist, and community leader, whose personal hobbies enrich his professional life, making him a dynamic force in the branding industry.

Or a more upbeat fun version:

Matt Wilson is the kind of guy who doesn't just play the game—he changes it. As the mastermind behind Animus Creative, Matt's carved a niche in the Middle Eastern branding scene since 2005, turning the visual stories of giants like Ooredoo and Disney into not just narratives, but experiences. But here's where it gets interesting: Matt's not your typical creative director. He's a tabletop gaming aficionado, with a three-decade-long affair with role-playing games. Imagine the depth of strategy, the richness of storytelling he brings to the branding table—skills honed in the dungeons and on the battlegrounds of the gaming world.

Matt's latest quest? WePlay Nation. It's not just a Facebook group; it's a movement, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in gaming. Here, Matt leverages his 30 years of gaming wisdom to build a community that reflects the world we live in, proving that the principles of DEI can and should cross over into every aspect of our lives, including our hobbies.

But Matt's narrative doesn't end there. He's a mentor to startups, guiding them through the labyrinth of brand development with the same strategic prowess he uses in gaming. And when he's not building brands or leading epic gaming sessions, he's scaling mountains, literally. An adventurer at heart, Matt's outdoor escapades are a testament to his belief in pushing boundaries, exploring new territories, and living a life less ordinary.

In a world where branding and tabletop gaming intersect, Matt Wilson stands as a beacon of innovation, inclusivity, and adventure. He's not just playing the game of life; he's redesigning it, one brand, one community, one epic adventure at a time.