Kit Altin

Kit is Chief Strategy Officer at advertising agency The Gate London.

A former DJ, set designer, theatre promoter, and copywriter, she has carved an unusual career path that has ultimately led to strategy—where she has spent the last 19 years shaping campaigns for brands including McDonald’s, Audi, and Tide. Recognition includes a Gold Effie for long-term effectiveness, 5 Cannes Lions, 3 Gold APG Awards, and being named Campaign’s Global Strategic Leader of the Year. She is also Chair of the Shortlist Jury for the 2025 APG Creative Strategy Awards.

Kit is passionate about communication for social good, and co-founded Change, an agency dedicated to purpose-driven work. Among her proudest achievements? Creating what Newsweek described as “Cosmopolitan’s most shocking cover ever”, which forced the government to acknowledge honour killings, and actually changing the law to better protect children online.

A highly sought-after and inventive educator, Kit has spent over a decade teaching creative skills for leading brands and agencies all over the world, including Sony, Kraft Heinz, Dr Martens and the BBC. She is also a dedicated mentor, supporting talent through the IPA, Bloom, Creative Equals, and of course SXSW.

Her latest thought leadership project, Ritualized, created in partnership with WARC, explores 21st-century rituals and how brands can harness their power. When she’s not leading strategy, teaching, or mentoring, she’s putting the finishing touches on her debut novel (just two more edits to go…)