An Inspired Chat with Anastasia Georgouda of Manhattan

We recently had the chance to connect with Anastasia Georgouda and have shared our conversation below.

Anastasia , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every day’s a bit different, but I like it that way. Mornings usually start with a coffee and a creative check-in, either with my team or just me sketching out ideas for whatever’s on the table. I’m constantly bouncing between concepting, giving feedback, and making sure the visuals actually tell a compelling story.

I still keep that New York energy in how I work—fast, sharp, and always thinking a few steps ahead. I also make it a point to stay inspired by ads from all around the world.

I’m constantly tracking campaigns across different cultures and markets, and I love seeing how ideas translate globally. That cross-cultural perspective definitely feeds into my own creative process.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Anastasia — I’m an Art Director and visual storyteller with a background in big-agency life in Manhattan, where I spent seven years creating campaigns for major brands and pushing ideas into bold, unexpected directions. My work has been recognized internationally, including a Silver Muse Creative Award and a Vega Digital Arcturus Award for my campaign “Don’t FM and Drive,” and a finalist spot at the Golden Awards of Montreux for the opening title sequence I directed for the TV show “The Magicians.”

Right now, I’m focused on growing my creative company, Proud Cloud — a space I’m building to be a safe haven for brave ideas, creative exploration, and deep collaboration. It’s more than a studio — it’s a mindset. I want Proud Cloud to be a space where concepts aren’t just executed, but nurtured — where every project starts with intention and emotional resonance. Whether it’s working on cultural campaigns, art-driven content, or brand storytelling, I’m always chasing that spark where creativity meets meaning.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That would definitely be my parents.
They saw something in me before I even fully understood what it was a creative drive, a need to express, to build, to tell stories visually. They believed in me so deeply that they helped me leave Athens and move to New York to study at Miami Ad School, which completely changed the course of my life. That leap from Greece to Manhattan was scary, but they gave me the courage to take it. Without their support, I wouldn’t be the Art Director I am today. They saw the path before I could name it myself.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely there were a couple of times, actually.
In 2019, I started as an intern in New York, full of excitement and momentum. But when COVID hit, everything stopped. My internship ended abruptly, and suddenly I found myself trying to break into the industry again during a global crisis. It was disheartening.
I went through months of interviews and rejections. But eventually, I got back in, and that made me stronger and more determined than ever.

The second time was when I had to move back to Athens after years in New York. Coming from that creative energy and fast-paced environment, it was a real challenge to adapt to a market that’s more conservative and cautious about big ideas or new strategies. In smaller countries, boldness is sometimes seen as risk. But I’ve learned to navigate that to fight for strong creative work while also understanding the local mindset. That tension has shaped me into a more thoughtful and strategic Art Director.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, the key difference is depth and staying power. Fads are surface-level they create noise, but they fade fast. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, change behavior. They shift how people think, feel, and connect. I try to look at what’s driving the trend is it just a visual style, or is it rooted in a real cultural, technological, or emotional shift?

One example is my campaign “Don’t FM and Drive,” which was based on the shift in how distracted driving is perceived not just as a legal issue, but as a cultural and emotional one. We tapped into that larger narrative and used creativity to reframe the conversation. It wasn’t about shock tactics, it was about connecting with people on a deeper level, using storytelling and sound design to raise awareness in a fresh way. That’s why I believe it resonated and won both the Muse Creative Award and the Vega Digital Arcturus Award.

For me, a trend is only worth following if it helps tell a more powerful, relevant story. Otherwise, it’s just decoration.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I was younger, I used to spend hours on YouTube just watching ads : funny ads, banned ads, clever lines, emotional stories, smart visuals. I was fascinated by the ones that stuck with people long after they were off the air. You know the kind a line, a logo, a moment that people still mention years later, even if they haven’t seen it in forever.

That’s the kind of work I want to be remembered for something that leaves a mark. I hope people will say, “She created something that mattered. Something that stayed with us.” Whether it’s an ad that made people feel something deeply or sparked conversation, I want my work to live on not just as a campaign, but as a cultural moment. That, to me, is the highest form of creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kiyiomy.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agheorgoudas/
• Other: https://museaward.com/winner-info.php?id=220013