Bastian Pristl – Showcase

Bastian Pristl
Creative Brand Strategist

2019 – today Chief Creative & Digital Officer BSS Brand Communication
2013 – 2019 Executive Creative Director MDCT
2010 – 2013 Creative Director MDCT
2006 – 2010 Digital Art Director MDCT

I’m a creative brand strategist, obsessed with the intersection of technology, design, and human behavior. Currently Chief Creative Officer at BSS Brand Communication, I’ve spent the past 20+ years helping brands like HUGO BOSS, Jack Wolfskin, ESCADA, Manhattan Cosmetics and McLAREN cut through the noise — by thinking deeper, moving faster, and creating experiences that stick. For me, it’s never just about a logo or a campaign. It’s about shaping relevance. About building emotional equity in a world of distraction. That means connecting strategy with storytelling, brand with interface, data with design. No silos. No shortcuts. I thrive where complexity meets creativity — developing digital ecosystems, mapping new consumer journeys, and translating insights into award-winning work. My academic roots? A Master’s in European Media Arts, a Diploma in Communication Design, and an MBA focused on marketing and innovation. Add to that summer schools at SDA Bocconi and NYU Stern, and a master’s thesis tackling distracted driving with a mobile-first solution.

What drives me? Curiosity. Restlessness. And the will to create ideas that not only perform, but endure. The kind of work that feels — and fuels — the future.
It´s about creating meaningful, original and inspiring work? Easy, right? You have to kill self-doubt, fight uncertainty, find comfort in the unknown, wade through bad ideas to unearth new ones, make mistakes, get lost, trust each other, goof off, learn, provide mentorship, commit fully to the effort, look up and to the future, be fuelled by optimism, welcome others into the journey, understand your audience, and have the confidence to be flexible and adapt to new ideas. At the same time, you have to avoid obsessing over other people’s work, be wary of the vortex of endless streams, the draw of the echo chamber and the sea of sameness. Resist the pull of fleeting trends, entrenched opinions, and pervasive negativity. Try to evolve and carve your own path, yet still take time to learn from the best. It’s about partnering with like-minded collaborators who don’t commoditize creativity, who have a mindset for invention, mutual trust and who respect the process. Who have time for excellence, collaboration vs. dictation, building consensus, averting subjectivity, cutting the bullshit, smashing intuition into insight, fighting the algorithm, crushing data into human expression, harnessing technology vs. letting it drive you — and knowing what excellence looks like.

Well, at least it’s worth it.

BE BRAVE.
REJECT CONVENTION.
BE OPTIMISTIC.
START AT UNCOMFORTABLE.
EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY.
LEARN TO SAY NO.
CHERISH INSIGHT.
BE FLUENT IN PEOPLE.
CREATE WONDER.
ALWAYS IN BETA.

Passion for great work is not just a personal indulgence — it’s a strategic career choice. When you immerse yourself in a creative approach that genuinely ignites your passion, you produce better work and become a magnet for opportunities. Your enthusiasm becomes infectious — drawing in great clients, fostering growth, and propelling you forward in your career journey. By living in the moment and giving your all to your current work, you set the stage for a fulfilling and successful career — one where progression and exciting opportunities naturally gravitate towards you.