International, integrated E/CD/writer
benrhartman@gmail.com
NL +31 (0) 626202105
After 12 years as writer/CD at some of London’s finest agencies, including Leo Burnett, BBH and RKCR Y&R, my international finishing school has been Amsterdam. First at 180Amsterdam, then 6 years leading the creative department and agency as ECD/Man Partner at TBWA\Amsterdam (2012-18).
After a spell launching Arenaroom.com and freelancing as an ECD/writer, I joined Ogilvy Amsterdam as Global Creative Lead on Philips. I then returned to 180Amsterdam (where my Dutch adventure began) as GBL on Dubai Airports & CD on adidas, Gatorade, Asahi.
Raised on big ideas in a simple above and below the line world, I’ve successfully carried these values over into today’s integrated, social-first world of blurred lines and thumbs. Regularly winning awards for doing so.
Specific skills/experience:
Leading & mentoring a creative department; creative direction; creative strategy; copywriting; digital & social campaigns; events/experiential; film, print; live & digital activations; retail/shopper marketing; E-Comm; CRM; the whole shebang
Experience
July ‘24 - present
Independent Creative Lead
Hands-on Creative Director, Creative Lead, writer. Steering teams and clients to deliver brand growth through creative excellence.
April ‘22 - May ‘24
Global Creative Lead, 180Amsterdam
GBL for Dubai Airports leading multiple teams of creatives, designers & clients in developing a brand new comms platform, including re-design and brand playbook, to ensure DA hit the ground running post-Covid. We delivered multiple campaigns off this platform. Also Creative Director across adidas, Gatorade, DHL, & Asahi. Nurturing client relationships, growing business, delivering creative excellence.
Jan ‘21 - April ‘22
Global Creative Lead, Ogilvy Amsterdam
GBL overseeing all Philips creative; leading teams of creatives, designers & clients to deliver world class social & digital-first global campaigns across multiple channels. Also CD/writer on Sennheiser, Ikea and Coca-Cola.
Sept ‘18 - present
Founder, Arenaroom.com
Conceived, built and ran Arenaroom.com, the world’s first 360º stadium wallpaper, turning kids bedrooms into their favourite team’s stadium.
Feb ‘18 - Dec ‘20
Freelance ECD/writer
Sometimes leading projects, pitches and teams as ECD or CD; sometimes senior writer, cracking the brief and executing across all channels; often both.
Nike/Jordan Brand, DDB Unlimited, Grey, Sky Sports, Jack Morton, Netflix, VCCP, Proximity, Gravity Road, Philips, Cheil, Geometry, VML, CSM Sport & Ent.
Feb ‘12 - Jan ‘18,
ECD, Managing partner TBWA\Amsterdam
Responsible for creative output across all international clients; fully-integrated 360° global campaigns, film, OOH, social & digital-first campaigns, activations, websites, experiential, retail and CRM.
Clients included adidas, UEFA, Heineken, Nissan, Unicredit, ING, Bacardi, Team NL, Ajax FC, Feyenoord FC, Vitesse FC.
July ‘10 - Feb ‘12,
CD/ Writer, 180Amsterdam
adidas, Asics, DHL, Carlsberg, Opel, Playstation.
May ‘06 - June ‘10,
CD / Writer, RKCR Y&R London
Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Trains, M&S, Land Rover, The Times, CD on Alfa Romeo, Simple, Visit London, SpinPalace.com, Odeon,
Oct ‘03 - April ‘06, BBH London
Writer
Levis, Dockers, Audi, Impulse, Lynx, Paddy Power, Surf, ITV, Baileys, Castlemaine XXXX, Barnardos, Sony Ericsson
1998 - 2003,
Writer, D’Arcy London
Fiat, Littlewoods Pools, Mars, Pal, TSB, McCain, Hovis, Philips, Tetley, House of Fraser
1996 - 1998,
Writer, Leo Burnett London
United Airlines, Mercedes, McDonalds, P&G, Great Western Trains.
Awards:
D&AD Pencil
3 x Gold, 2 Silver Lovie Awards
2 x Gold, 1 x Silver Webby’s
FWA Site of the Day
2 x ADCN
1 x D&AD pencil
5 x D&AD annual
BTA Gold, Bronze
Creative circle
Campaign Press
Interests:
Keeping fit; Cycling; Yinn yoga;
Cricket: Southgate CC; MCC playing member; Hampshire 2nd X1.
Football: pulling strings; giving; going.
Rugby: the tap tackle; British Lions; Jonathan Davies.
Golf: 6 handicap
RSPB; London wildlife trust;