Robert Cervera

Biography

I'm an award-winning senior copywriter and creative director with 25 years of experience in advertising. And I'm an award-winning fine artist with an MA from the Royal College of Art who exhibits sculpture, video, installation and musical performance.

I started as a copywriter in Barcelona. A copywriter copywriter. I loved the craft - and still do. I tried a few agencies before managing to join creative boutique El Sindicato, back then the hottest agency in Spain. I made award-winning work for major clients like Audi, La Caixa (bank), Telefonica, Coca-Cola, Nike, Mahou (beer) or El Corte Inglés (department stores).

At El Sindicato I earned the trust of my ECD and clients alike, and became a very young creative director. After the agency was bought by international agency group Arnold, I was reaffirmed as creative director, working for new clients like Onda Cero (radio station), Planeta (publishing house) and Banesto (bank). But then London beckoned.

In London, I had a taste of both a massive, HQ-style agency (Ogilvy) and a fast-growing, pitch-crazy, independent one (Albion). But I also decided to pursue my long-standing love for art and did a Foundation course at Central Saint Martins. A few more years retraining as a fine artist followed, as well as a parallel life as a freelancer in advertising, working flexibly in different configurations: as a solo creative and creative director, in partnership with art directors or as part of wider teams.

Today, I'm as likely to have a solo show at Zabludowicz Collection (just google ‘cervera zabludowicz’) as to develop a massive AI-powered multimedia campaign for Lexus while freelancing at The & Partnership.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PRAISE FROM PEERS:

“It was Creative Directing, Jim, but not as we know it. Over-seeing Spanish Bob’s work was a doddle. Ninety percent of the time it consisted of saying ‘yeah, great’ to some stonkingly good ideas, and, if truth be told, even the other ten per cent was just me trying to prove I needed to be there. The guy is a delight to work with; enthusiastic, energetic, articulate and with a great sharpness of thought, turn of phrase and eye for detail. So there was very little left for me to do. But please don’t tell Albion that.”

CLIVE PICKERING, Co-founder of DawsonPickering, previously Head of Copy at BETC London, Creative Group Head at Albion London, Head of Copy at TBWA London and Creative Director at BBH London. He wrote the ‘Surprisingly ordinary prices’ VW campaign that made the DDB’s trophy cabinets overflow. I worked with him at Albion London.

“Spanish Bob ‘gets it’. He is grown-up, yet innocent; stretching briefs with his fresh solutions, but always keeping one foot firmly inside. Very much a modern communications thinker, his reliability and sunny countenance make him a treat to work with. Every home should have one.”

RICHARD RUSSELL, International Creative Director at DDB, formerly Executive Creative Director at Nitro, European Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi and one of the Wieden+Kennedy creatives behind Honda’s “Grrr” Grand Prix. I worked with him at Ogilvy London.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Born in Barcelona in 1976.

Working as a CD and copywriter in London since 2005:

FREELANCE: The & Partnership, Pablo London, Mother London, Team Detroit + Blue Hive Mexico, VCCP London, Brooklyn Brothers London, Ogilvy London, HellYeah!

ALBION LONDON: Creative Lead on Air New Zealand and CaféDirect, senior creative on Innocent, Skype, eBay, Blackberry.

OGILVY ADVERTISING: Senior creative on BP, Castrol, Ford, Dove, Comfort, Cow & Gate, Slim Fast, Lucozade, Panadol, Toblerone, Tilda.

+

Previously a CD and copywriter in Barcelona (1998-2004):

ARNOLD BARCELONA: Onda Cero (radio station), Planeta (publishing house), Banesto (bank).

EL SINDICATO/THE UNION: Audi, Telefonica, La Caixa (bank), Coca-Cola, Nike, Once (lottery), Mahou (beer), Port Aventura (theme park), El Corte Inglés (department stores), Barcelona City Council.

LOWE MBAC: Nutrexpa (FMCG brands), Braun, Henkel, Dr Esteve (healthcare).