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Draft:Alinur Velidedeoğlu

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Alinur Velidedeoğlu
Born1953
Ann Arbor, Michigan
CitizenshipTurkey
Known forAdvertising, personal life
RelativesHıfzı Veldet Velidedeoğlu

Alinur Velideoğlu is a Turkish American creative artist, advertising executive, film producer, and media personality. He is mostly known in Turkey as the creator of notable television commercials.[1] He is the recipient of a Cresta Award for his advertising work for the clothing company David People.[1] Velidedeoğlu is also known for his prominent media presence in Turkey, often associated with extensive public attention regarding various aspects of his personal life.

Biography

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Velidedeoğlu was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1953. He is the grandson of renowned Turkish law professor Hıfzı Veldet Velidedeoğlu.[1]

Career

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Velidedeoglu began his career in the animation department of İstanbul Reklam while studying Graphic Design at Marmara University. At 18, he directed his first commercial. In 1977, Velidedeoğlu founded Gratel and later became a partner in prominent firms like Güzel Sanatlar Reklamcılık (1981) and Saatchi & Saatchi (1985). He also held shares in Zenith Medya. He directed numerous television commercials and composed jingles. In addition to the Cresta Award, his work earned him several international awards, including Cannes Lions, London International, and NY International, according to his personal website.[1][2] His work was featured in Discovery Channel and NBC.[3][4]

In 2007, Alinur Velidedeoğlu was in charge of the Republican People's Party's (CHP) election campaign strategy for the 2007 Turkish general election as part of the Güzel Sanatlar-Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency. Alongside Yiğit Şardan, he supported a marketing-based approach that treated voters as consumers and aimed to appeal to their emotions. The campaign focused on establishing CHP as a strong political brand, incorporating the image of Atatürk while emphasizing republican values and Turkey’s modernization journey.[5][6][7][8]

Velidedeoğlu is also known as a producer with his films such as The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017), Harvard Man (2001), and "Black & White" (1999).[9][10][11]

Media and public presence

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During the 1999 Cannes Film Festival, Alinur Velidedeoğlu met by chance Billy Hayes, whose story about his life in a Turkish prison after his arrest for hashish smuggling inspired the hit film Midnight Express. Velidedeoğlu made an interview with Billy Hayes, in which Hayes expressed his disappointment with the film adaptation. He made the video available on YouTube, after being unable to broadcast it on Western television. The interview attracted significant attention in the Turkish media.[12][13][14][15]

Following the 2003 HSBC bombing in Istanbul, a large gold ring engraved with Alinur Velidedeoğlu's name was found among the victims' belongings, causing initial confusion. It was later revealed that the ring was created as part of an art exhibition held by Velidedeoğlu. He had asked his assistant, Gaye Zeytinci, to engrave his name inside the oversized ring, which symbolized the letter "O" in the word "love" on one of his paintings. The ring was ultimately not used in the exhibition and was given to Zeytinci’s mother, Gültaç Zeytinci, who later happened to be one of the victims of the attack.[16][17][18]

In 2007, Velidedeoglu served as a judge on the competition show Buzda Dans, which is the Turkish version of Dancing on Ice. His participation received some criticism, including remarks from TV critic Togay Bayatlı, who questioned his expertise in ice skating and dance while acknowledging their personal friendship. Bayatlı also pointed out Velidedeoğlu's business association with the show's producer and noted reports that his fiancée was involved in costume design for the program.[19][20]

In 2011, Velidedoğlu was involved in a widely discussed incident during a long-haul flight. According to Cüneyt Özdemir's account, who happened to be another passenger on the same flight, despite cabin crew instructions and requests from fellow passengers, he refused to close his window shade, insisting on reading magazines in daylight. His actions reportedly caused discomfort to other travelers, including pregnant women, and prevented them from sleeping. Flight attendants struggled to manage the situation, with some reportedly becoming emotional.[21][22][23] Velidedeoğlu defended his actions, stating that he frequently takes long-haul flights and spends his time reading on board. He argued that since the flight was during the day, he was not obligated to sleep and found it unreasonable for others to expect him to close his window. He also noted that sleep masks were available for those who wished to rest but claimed that instead of using them, passengers chose to complain about him. Dismissing the backlash as exaggerated, he insisted that he did not cause a disturbance and emphasized his preference for looking outside during daylight flights.[24]

In 2017, Enci Velidedeoğlu, his spouse at the time, filed for divorce from Alinur Velidedeoğlu, citing infidelity and other serious allegations. According to her lawsuit at the Istanbul Family Court, the couple married in 2007 despite her family's objections. She later discovered that Alinur Velidedeoğlu had affairs while in the U.S., including with his former girlfriends and his secretary, with whom he allegedly rented a $25,000-per-month mansion. She also claimed to have found performance-enhancing drugs and firearms in their home safe.[25][26][27]

In the same year, Alinur Velidedeoğlu sparked debate with his criticism of young Turkish actors, stating that they had no chance in Hollywood due to shortcomings in their training and performance consistency. He argued that Turkish acting education was based on memorization rather than self-expression, and that many actors relied on exaggerated emotions rather than mastering subtle facial expressions. His remarks drew criticism, notably from actor Oktay Kaynarca, who accused advertisers like Velidedeoğlu of undervaluing Turkish talent while profiting from simplistic campaigns. Despite his criticisms, Velidedeoğlu acknowledged the talents of Selçuk Yöntem and Haluk Bilginer, stating that Bilginer's acting skills were highly regarded internationally.[28][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Yılmaz, Serpil (1993-10-29). "Hem çeker, hem çizer, hem besteler". Milliyet. Archived from the original on 2024-09-22.
  2. ^ "Who is | Alinur Velidedeoğlu | Offical". 2024-04-13. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  3. ^ Ali Nur Velidedeoğlu (2018-04-20). Alinur Velidedeoglu Discovery Channel 2007 Pt.1. Retrieved 2025-03-16 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Ali Nur Velidedeoğlu (2018-04-20). NBC Executive Lifestyles 1998 Alinur Velidedeoğlu. Retrieved 2025-03-16 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ KONURALP/ANKARA, Okan (2007-06-02). "CHP'nin seçim kozu marka". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  6. ^ "CHP, reklamcısını buldu: Velidedeoğlu". Sabah.
  7. ^ Balcı, Şükrü; Bal, Enes. "22 TEMMUZ 2007 GENEL SEÇİMLERİ'NDE AKP VE CHP REKLAMLARI: KARŞILAŞTIRMALI BİR ANALİZ" (PDF). İleti̇şi̇m Fakültesi̇ Dergi̇si̇.
  8. ^ "TÜRKİYE'DE NEGATİF SİYASAL REKLAM UYGULAMALARI: 2007, 2011 ve 2015 GENEL SEÇİMLERİ ÖRNEĞİNDE BİR ANALİZ*". Atatürk İletişim Dergisi.
  9. ^ Linden, Sheri (2017-03-08). "'The Ottoman Lieutenant': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  10. ^ SEMERCİOĞLU, Cengiz (2017-04-30). "Türk oyuncuların Hollywood sansı yok". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  11. ^ "Velidedeoğlu'nun Amerika macerası". Milliyet (in Turkish). 1998-12-04. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  12. ^ Arman, Ayşe (2007-02-11). "Alinur Velidedeoğlu'nun Midnight Express savaşı". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  13. ^ "YÜKSEL AYTUĞ - Alinur Velidedeoğlu'na destek". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  14. ^ POLITICAL_REFLECTION (2010-09-26). "Midnight Express: Hatred Beats Cinematography – Political Reflection". Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  15. ^ "Alinur Velidedeoğlu Türkiye'yi akladı". www.haberturk.com (in Turkish). 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  16. ^ "Bir yüzük öyküsü". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 2003-11-29. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  17. ^ "Alinur Velidedeoğlu'nun yüzüğü enkazdan çıktı". Gazete Vatan (in Turkish). 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  18. ^ "Bir yüzüğü bile bana çok gördüler". Sabah.
  19. ^ Bayatlı, Togay (2007-03-22). "Buzda sahte dans". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  20. ^ "Buzda reklam krizi". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  21. ^ "Ünlü reklamcı yolcuları çıldırttı". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  22. ^ "Uçakta pencere tartışması". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  23. ^ "THY uçağında skandal!". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  24. ^ "Uçakta kavga olayını anlattı". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  25. ^ EĞRİKAR, Özge (2017-08-04). "Enci Velidedeoğlu eşi Alinur Velidedeoğlu'na boşanma davası açtı". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  26. ^ "BÜLENT CANKURT - Dahi reklamcıdan dahice boşanma!". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  27. ^ KİMSESİZCAN, Gökhan (2016-06-05). "Amerikalı sevgiliyle New York'ta evlenmiş". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  28. ^ SEMERCİOĞLU, Cengiz (2017-05-03). "Genç oyuncular iyi mi tartışması... Oktay Kaynarca mı haklı, Alinur Velidedeoğlu mu?". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  29. ^ Şafak, Yeni. "Oktay Kaynarca tepkisinin nedenini açıkladı | Aktüel Haberleri". Yeni Şafak (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-03-18.


[[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Turkish businesspeople]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

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