Heroes
/Last week, I wrote about the role of a concepteur-rédacteur, and how in my eyes, this title actually encompasses two different métiers: to me, a concepteur is one thing and a rédacteur is another thing.
Today, I’d like to thank and honor the exceptional concepteurs and the amazing rédacteurs who have set the standards of excellence that I strive to achieve every single day.
I know I’ll never be like them. As a matter of fact, I know I won’t even come close to being like them. Of that, I’m sure. But I do know this: if I keep trying long enough and keep working hard enough, perhaps someday I’ll at least be able to make them proud.
And you know what? That’s good enough for me. ;o)
This one is for my heroes.
Dan Wieden
The father of Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan. Enough said.
Mary Frances Gerety
Author of the best slogan of the 20th century: “A Diamond Is Forever”.
David Abbott
The mind behind The Economist’s ads. And the copywriter I dream of becoming.
Spike Lee
Founder of Spike DDB. And an absolute WIZARD with words.
José Luiz Mendieta Filho
Taught me everything I know. My mentor.
Paula Scher
The goddess of graphic design. Period.
Rémi Babinet
He’s the ‘B’ in BETC. B as in Brilliant.
Tinker Hatfield
Taught me that “a basic design is always functional, but a great one will say something”.
Nizan Guanaes
The Michael Jordan of Brazilian advertising. Simple as that.
Rory Sutherland
A thinker (the fact that he’s also an adman is merely incidental).
Pierre Lemonnier
Taught me that we don’t sell products, but “the idea that people could make of products”.
Ken Segall
The man who put the “I” in iPhone, iPad, iPod. And all the “i”s in the “importance of simplicity”.
José Zacarias
Taught me that “God’s in the details”. Which only worsened my knack for perfectionism. ;o)
Lee Clow
Taught me that, when done right, advertising IS art.
Marcello Serpa
The legend. Master Yoda. Cannes should change its name to Serpa.
Philippe Michel
Genius. Gone too soon, unfortunately. I guess God DOES call the best of the best first.
Washington Olivetto
He’s not the best adman Brazil’s ever seen. He IS Brazil’s advertising.