Thomas Defert is a Parisian Art Director & Director, living and working in Paris.

Thomas started his advertising career in 2012 as a Beauty & Luxury Art Director at Ogilvy & Mather Paris (WPP). 

In 2016, he was hired as Art Director & Head of Studio by Leo Burnett (Publicis Group). After two years working on international accounts, he was recruited by BETC Paris (Havas) for the role of Senior Art Director, a position he held for five years, from 2018 to 2023. 

After more than a decade in the industry, Thomas is now a Freelance Art Director & Creative Director, with Hands Paris as his main client for the Ligne Roset account worldwide.

In addition to his advertising career, Thomas Defert is the co-author and co-director of The Last Horizon, a 90-minute documentary that delves into the intertwined lives of three family members in a Senegalese fishing village, exploring their relationships, struggles, and shared legacy as they face the changing tides of politics and the challenges of passing down their traditions. 

The Last Horizon is produced by the French production company ELDA PRODUCTION and is supported by CNC, EUROPE MEDIA CREATIVE, and PROCIREP.

Thomas also has a strong passion for photography, a passion that began during his early days as an assistant to the renowned still life photographer Bart Oomes in Amsterdam. Since 2024, Thomas has had the privilege of having his work sponsored by the famous German photographic institution Leica.