HI
I grew up in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Worked and working in London, Amsterdam and beyond. I have always loved creating stories for brands and finding different ways to express them. For brands today, I believe this is more relevant than ever.
A little-known fact about me is that I am also a self-taught tech-head, outdoorsman,
car mechanic and the published author of poetry and mysterious short stories.
HOW I CAN HELP
In 2021 I founded VENGEAN with co-founders Andy Mosmans and CJ de Melker and shareholder Unknown Group. VENGEAN is a creative branding agency "on a mission to ignite impact by energising enterprise, with a vengeance.” A new and innovative, compact yet very experienced international strategic, creative and professional team of “dreamers & daredevils” that can flex and scale up when needed.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2020 – current Executive Creative Director & Founder, VENGEAN - Creative Branding Engine
10/2019 – 03/2021 Creative Director AI @ Ogilvy Social.Lab Amsterdam
2019 Senior Copywriter, 180 Kingsday, Amsterdam
2018 Creative Director & Copywriter, freelance / interim
2012 – 2018 DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Amsterdam, Global Creative Director
DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Amsterdam, International Creative Director
RAPP / DDB Amsterdam, Executive Creative Director
2007 – 2012 let’s be frank, Founder, Owner and Executive Creative Director
JWT Amsterdam, Creative Director (from 2011 after the merger)
2005 – 2007 Publicis Dialog, Executive Creative Director
Publicis, Group Creative Director, orange telecom
Member of the Publicis Group Netherlands management
Member of the World Wide Creative Directors Board
2004 – 2005 Team Writer ABNAMRO in the Volvo Ocean Race
2003 – 2004 Lowe + Draft Group, Senior Copywriter
2003 Freelance Copywriter & Fiction Writer
2000 – 2003 Ogilvy & Mather Advertising Netherlands, Associate Creative Director
1997 – 2000 McCann-Erickson Advertising Netherlands, Senior Copywriter
1996 – 1997 Freelance Copywriter
1995 – 1996 FHV/BBDO, Amsterdam, Copywriter
1993 – 1995 World Writers Ltd., London, Copywriter
AWARDS
2018 ADCN (nomination for best copywriting), Menzis TVC, An Ode to Trying
2017 SpinAwards (nomination), Design, The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2017 SpinAwards (nomination), Innovation, The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2017 ADCN (nomination), Digital & Social, The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2017 ADCN (nomination), Direct, Promo & Activation, The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2016 Lovie Award (silver), The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2016 Lovie Award (shortlist People's Choice Award), The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2016 Cannes Shortlist (4x), The Vodafone Smart Jacket
2016 ADCN (nomination), Heineken International, The Soccer Doc
2015 Eurobest (silver), Interactive: Real-Time Activity, KLM # HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest (bronze), Interactive: Travel, Entertainment & Leisure, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest (bronze), Promo & Activation: Use of Social Platforms, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest Shortlist, Interactive: Innovative Use of Social Media, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest Shortlist, Direct: Use of Social in a Campaign, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest Shortlist, Direct: Travel, Leisure & Entertainment, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest Shortlist, Media: Use of Social Platforms, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Eurobest Shortlist, Media: Travel, Leisure & Entertainment, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 M&M Award (gold), Best Use of Content, Heineken #ChampionTheMatch
2015 M&M Award Shortlist, Best Use of Social Media, Heineken International #ChampionTheMatch
2015 Cannes Lion (cyber), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Lion (cyber), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Lion (media), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Lion (media), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Shortlist, (cyber) KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Shortlist, (PR) KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Cannes Shortlist (media), Heineken #ChampionTheMatch
2015 SAN (1 x nomination), KLM 95 years brand tvc
2015 SAN Accent, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Webby (3 x nominee), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Webby (honoree), Live Experiences, KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 ADCN (nomination), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 ADCN (bronze), KLM #HappyToHelp
2015 Gouden Loekie Year Finalist 2014 (Best of National TV ads), KLM 95 years brand tvc
2014 SpinAward (gold), Online Campaign, KLM Space
2014 SpinAward (gold), Website, KLM Space
2014 SpinAward (gold), Design, KLM Space
2014 SpinAward (nomination), Innovation, KLM Space
2014 Webby (people’s voice), Interactive Advertising Media, KLM Space
2014 Webby (nominee), Best Use of Motion Graphics, KLM Space
2014 Webby (nominee), Digital Campaigns, KLM Space
2014 The One Show (1 x Merit Award), Interactive, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (gold), Website, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (silver), Motion Graphics, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (silver), Brand Experience / Events, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (1 x nomination), Sound Design, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (1 x nomination), Interactive Movie, KLM Space
2014 ADCN (1 x nomination), Integrated Campaign, KLM Space
2014 D&AD (wood pencil), UX, Interface & Navigation for Websites & Digital Design, KLM Space
2014 Design for User Experience Awards (finalist), KLM Space
2014 SXSW (finalist), Best technological innovation, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (gold), Interactive, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (silver), Interactive, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (silver), Interactive, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (silver), Mobile, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (silver), Design, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (bronze), Interactive, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (bronze), Interactive, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (bronze), Promo & Activation, KLM Space
2013 Eurobest (finalist), Best use of Digital Media, KLM Space
2013 Effie Award, Centraal Beheer Achmea, “Home all-risk insurance”
2013 Ciclope Award (gold), best interactive film, KLM Space
2013 Lovie Award (bronze), KLM Space, best website/flash
2013 Lovie Award (People’s Lovie), KLM Space, best website/flash
2013 Lovie Award (gold), KLM Space, best brand microsite
2013 Lovie Award (People’s Lovie), KLM Space, best brand microsite
2013 Cannes Lion (cyber lion), KLM Space
2013 FWA (Mobile Site of the day), KLM Space
2013 FWA (Site of the day) KLM Space
2008 ADCN (bronze), Villa ArenA TV and print campaign
2007 International Marketing & Media Awards, (best youth campaign), Orange Prepaid Music
2007 SAN (nomination) Orange “Orange joins wanadoo”
2007 IMC Award Europe KLM “Fly for Fortune” global online game
2007 Epica, Villa ArenA print campaign
2007 Esprix, KLM Fly for Fortune (global online game)
2006 Esprix, HP Photosmart “bags” crossmedia campaign
2006 SAN (nomination), HP Photosmart “bags”
2004 Golden Z Award (gold), Marketing Communications Category, Spinhex “tast”
2001 Epica, Audi Cars print ad “original parts”
1999 Esprix finalist, Dutch Aids Fund “Army of L.O.V.E.”
1998 Esprix (silver), Albert Heijn Baby Program “Help I’m going to be a Mama”
1997 Cebuco Press Gold (gold), Albert Heijn retail “Vink”
1997 Cebuco Press Gold (gold), Albert Heijn retail “Wijn”
1997 VNU Magazine Award (best print campaign), MTV Europe “MTV Home”
1997 SAN, Univeler (Iglo) outdoor print “spring spinach”
1997 ADCN (nomination), Acer Computers print campaign
1996 Effie Award, MTV Europe “See Hear Feel MTV”
1996 Best of Web Worldwide, Grolsch Beer (brand site)
Other awards/nominations won under my supervision as creative director
2006 ADCN nomination, Dutch Red Cross, Snowdome for Pakistan Banner / Interactive
2006 Spin Awards (silver) – “Snowdome for Pakistan” Banner
2006 Esprix nomination “Pigeon race” crossmedia acquisition campaign for Publcis Dialog
2006 Esprix, Silver “Snowdome for Pakistan” interactive
2006 Epica, Silver, Snowdome for Pakistan / Dutch Red Cross (online ads)
2006 Eurobest, Direct Finalist - headhunter A. van Seggelen edible business cards
2006 Eurobest, Interactive Finalist - Snowdome For Pakistan / Dutch Red Cross
JURIES
Promax BDA Europe 2019 Elite Jury
Dubai Lynx 2018 Promo & Activation, Digital, Outdoor
Dubai Lynx 2018 Innovation
Promax BDA Europe 2018 Elite Jury (all categories)
Promax BDA Europe 2017 Kids Cartoons and Documentary Promos
Eurobest 2013 Direct and Promo & Activation jury
Photo Academy Award 2010 jury member
Photo Academy Award 2009 jury member
ADCN 2001 Crossmedia jury
ADCN 2001 Interactive jury
ADCN 2001 Talent Trophy jury
MEMBERSHIP
ADCN (Art Directors Club Netherlands)
LANGUAGES
English (native)
Dutch (native)
French (good)
OTHER STUFF I DO
Fiction writing (published in the USA, The Netherlands and UK), screenwriting, wildlife photography, teaching creative writing, skiing, mastering the art of Land Rover maintenance, hiking, exploring, SCUBA diving & fly fishing for elusive river monsters.
Founder of purpose-marketing brand We Are Outdoors
EDUCATION
1989-1993 Masters Degree, English (Psycholinguistics), Leiden University, The Netherlands
1991-1992 Mass Communication & Theater Science, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
1987-1989 Law, Leiden University, The Netherlands