J. Walter Thompson has appointed award-winning creative, Marco Bezerra, Executive Creative Director of the Dubai operation. Dubai is the MENA region’s flagship office, and the hire reflects the agency’s commitment to attracting the best global talent for the benefit of clients’ brands and businesses in the market place.
A Brazilian national, Bezerra’s passion and drive throughout his 19-year career to-date has seen him develop creative teams in Berlin, Sweden and Amsterdam, as well as lead projects for international brands including Adidas, Amro Bank, Burger King, Gucci, KLM, Nokia and Philips. Bezerra’s work has been awarded at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, D&AD, the One Show, Webby Awards, Golden Drum and Eurobest as well as the highly competitive Iberoamerica awards, El Ojo. Recently, Bezerra’s creative leadership propelled a small boutique agency in Brazil to win the most creative agency in South Brazil award, for two consecutive years.
“Marco’s reputation for great creative work has followed him across the globe. Whether he’s been in Sweden or Brazil, he has proven himself to be an incredibly adaptive creative leader who can produce work that is both culturally relevant and pioneering,” said Matt Eastwood, J. Walter Thompson Company’s Chief Creative Officer. “Given that Dubai is a significant international crossroads, it is imperative that we have a true global citizen like Marco guiding our creative product.”
“When I first met Marco, we didn’t talk work. We talked people. And I was struck by his passion for cultures, diversity, his immense curiosity and his love for the talent he has nurtured. As for his work, well, the global reputation he enjoys speaks for itself. I felt instantly that this was the kind of leader we need. Someone with heart, and the intelligence to match,” said Ramsey Naja, J. Walter Thompson Middle East & Africa’s Chief Creative Officer.
Commenting on the hire, Mohammed Sabry, Managing Director, J. Walter Thompson Dubai said “We are thrilled to have Marco join our team of diverse collaborators and add an extra dimension of global excellence to the mix. His experience across channels, integrating art with technology into engaging and effective storytelling, will help the agency be future proof as it manages brands seamlessly across a growing number of offers in the group. I am looking forward to partnering with him and building great solutions for our clients’ brands.”
“The Middle East and North Africa region is bursting with cutting edge creative ideas and business solutions that are pushing the boundaries of expectation from the region,” said Bezerra, adding, “this was an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse.”