Craig Walsh-Wrightson, a distinguished individual hailing from New Zealand, achieved academic excellence, graduating summa cum laude from his academic pursuits.
Undeterred by the allure of a prestigious Charterhouse Scholarship, Craig made the unconventional decision to forgo this opportunity and instead, returned to his homeland, where he pursued a double Bachelor's degree in History and English Literature from the esteemed Victoria University of Wellington.
In addition to his primary academic focus, Craig also demonstrated a keen interest in Politics, French, and Economics, broadening his intellectual scope through rigorous coursework in these fields.
As he delved deeper into his post-graduate studies in the realm of Modern History, he found himself being handpicked by the esteemed New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation to join their ranks as a documentary-maker, tasked with crafting engaging and informative content for the masses.
Later, his exceptional writing and production skills caught the attention of a prominent national advertising agency, which promptly headhunted him to join their team as a writer/TV producer, leveraging his creative talents to produce captivating commercials and television programs that would leave a lasting impression on audiences nationwide.
Craig's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at the tender age of 24, when he co-founded January Productions, a pioneering multi-media creative consultancy and production house that boldly ventured into uncharted territory as Australasia's first of its kind. This innovative partnership would eventually blossom into a leading advertising agency, Campaign Advertising Group. A decade later, Craig and his business partners made the strategic decision to sell the company to UK interests, leading to a significant transformation. The acquisition marked a new chapter in the agency's history, as it rebranded as Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, with Craig assuming the esteemed role of Executive Creative Director.
Noted creative force Craig has amassed an impressive portfolio, having penned, helmed, and occasionally steered the creative vision for an astonishing 100-plus major television commercials throughout his illustrious career.
As a multi-talented composer, lyricist, and music producer, Craig has also crafted an array of dozens of captivating radio and television commercial music soundtracks, showcasing his versatility and skill in a wide range of artistic endeavors.
Craig's Bio:
Craig is a renowned creative force in the advertising industry, with a career spanning over three decades. He has written, produced, and occasionally directed over 100 major television commercials for top brands and companies worldwide.
This esteemed individual is a multifaceted creative force, boasting a impressive array of accolades as a writer, art director, producer, and film director, having garnered numerous prestigious AXIS Awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.
In addition to his remarkable achievements in the realm of film and television, he has also made a significant impact as an anchorman and interviewer, serving as the charismatic host of the prime time TVNZ series 'Money Go Round', which has captivated audiences nationwide with its engaging and informative programming.
Craig is a distinguished and accomplished voice-over artist and narrator, boasting an impressive array of international credits that span a wide range of prominent brands and organizations. His extensive portfolio includes collaborations with esteemed companies such as Cadbury's, Coca Cola, Lexus, L'Oreal, Vodafone, Repsol, CBS Records, EMI, Mitsubishi, McDonald's, Suzuki, and BNZ.
Not until relatively late in his professional journey did Craig transition into the realm of screen acting, yet he remarkably succeeded in swiftly solidifying his status as a captivating and charismatic performer, impressing audiences and critics alike with his impressive range and versatility, as showcased in his notable roles on a variety of esteemed television series, including the iconic 'Xena Warrior Princess', the acclaimed 'Outrageous Fortune', the intriguing 'Burying Brian', the intriguing 'The Pretender', and the fantasy-based 'Legend of the Seeker' produced by Disney, a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.
Craig's early career trajectory took a notable turn with a brief yet impactful guest appearance in the inaugural season of Starz USA's acclaimed series 'Spartacus'. His nuanced portrayal of a pivotal character left a lasting impression on the showrunners, prompting them to incorporate his character, Solonius, into a substantial eight out of the thirteen episodes. This initial foray into the world of 'Spartacus' proved to be a springboard for further involvement, as Craig went on to reprise his role in the highly successful prequel season, 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena'.
Craig's acting career flourished with a wide range of notable roles, with one such instance being his portrayal of British general Sir Charles Monro in the critically acclaimed mini-series 'Deadline Gallipoli', a production that showcased his versatility as a performer.
Furthermore, he also took on the role of French Minister of Defence Charles Hernu in the Netflix movie 'Bombshell: The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior', a film that highlighted his ability to bring complex characters to life on the big screen.
Additionally, Craig's impressive repertoire also includes his depiction of Emperor Tiberius in season two of the Netflix Original series 'Roman Empire', specifically in the episode 'Caligula', where he brought his trademark gravitas and intensity to the role of the ancient Roman emperor.
