Rodger Beekman

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Rodger

Portfolio

60 layers

Rodger

Portfolio

60 layers

Rodger

Portfolio

60 layers

endless exploration

Exploring the unknown is essential to creating new and original work.

“Are we really doing this?” is a question I’ve heard often. “Are we really presenting this?” That little sense of fear is exactly what we need to feel when we’re creating something extraordinary.

Imagine if the explorers of the past, and those of today, had stopped to ask themselves these questions.

What would we never have discovered? And what might we never discover in the future?

I’m a visual creator at my core and an explorer by nature. Let’s not forget that the urge to explore is embedded in our human DNA.

The best work often scares you at first. Every new challenge is like setting sail into the unknown.

The unknown is like impossible . . . temporary.

realm of creativity

Limitless conceptual power in every project I’m involved in. That’s what I bring to your team, brand or project.

I approach every project as if it were my first and my last.

I dig as deep as necessary to find that spark. In craft, in ideas, in concepts, in innovation, in experiences. Whatever it takes to create the change in behaviour we want to ignite.

I focus on the heart of the concept, finding the most powerful way to trigger the emotion we’re after. Strategically sharp, conceptually strong, unmistakably on-brand, and creatively without boundaries.

Like the Wrangler Ice Invasion.

from Amsterdam to . . .

Tokyo, Dubai, Moscow, Doha Cape Town, Warsaw

After co-founding 60 layers of cake in 2006, I introduced the concept of “collaborative communication”. Together we established an agency in Amsterdam and later another in Cape Town.

After winning clients such as Coca-Cola, Heinz, Glamour and Pernod Ricard, other agencies wanted to learn more about our way of working.

That led me to live and work in Tokyo, Moscow, Doha, Dubai and, eventually, South Africa again.

Alongside my time in Amsterdam, I’ve worked with agencies including BBDO, DDB, BSUR, MullenLowe, 60 layers of cake, McCann and TBWA. These experiences helped shape me into a global creative mind, comfortable working across borders and cultures.

I’ve learned how to immerse myself in new cultures and add value from within. At PwC, for example, I was part of the team that established the Experience Centre in Amsterdam, from 2017 until 2020.

PwC and me . . .

Here’s to “no challenge is ever big enough.” Welcome to the Big Four.

After leaving Dubai my network guided me to PwC to support them in setting up their Experience Centre. We focused on a methodology called BXT. Business. eXperience. Technology.

Sometimes the focus was on the X, sometimes the T, and sometimes the B. But we always considered all three. Coming from a background in branding and advertising, I was naturally the X. Through my network, I brought in a team of creative people to expand this side of the business model.

Of course, there were occasional clashes of culture. Human experience was still a relatively new territory for PwC. But these differences led to countless insightful conversations, accelerated our mutual learning. We worked for Heineken, Unilever and many more.

Plus a spot on stage in Mumbai India to do a keynote about the new direction of PwC, right after Rory Sutherland.

awards & juries

I have won over 70 awards. Cannes Lions, Eurobest, ADCN, Epica, Moscow Red Apple, Cristal Awards, Dubai Lynx, Lisbon International, IAA London . . . And more.

One achievement I’m particularly proud of is winning a D&AD Pencil while working at BSUR in Amsterdam. In 2017, I served on the D&AD jury in London. I value every jury experience for the opportunity to engage with exceptionally talented and interesting creative minds

Seeing MegaFon win Russia’s first Cannes Lions Grand Prix was another highlight of my time in Moscow.

well educated

Education

Graphic High School

Master’s in Graphic Design, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam

Master’s in Art Direction, HKU, Utrecht

Digital Strategy, Hyper Island, Amsterdam

agencies

Amsterdam

Saatchi & Saatchi, Y&R, McCann, BSUR, DDB, TBWA, 60 layers of cake, Havas Lemz, BBDO and Monstarlab.

International

BBDO (Moscow), ADK (Tokyo), TBWA (Doha), MullenLowe (Dubai) and 60 layers of cake (Cape Town).

Consultancy

From 2017 to 2020, I enjoyed a fascinating chapter as CXO at PwC’s Experience Centre.

vision and future

I’m proud to have worked with many global and iconic brands.

Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mercedes-Benz, Philips, Samsung, Kenzo, Puma, Nike, Birkenstock, Harvey Nichols, Heineken, Under Armour, VANS, Adidas, IKEA, MegaFon. And so many more.

When I was younger, I chased these brands, and the agencies who has them. Over time, I learned that it was never just about the brands, but about the people behind them and their vision for the future.

People say, “We live in interesting times.” Well, I started my career three decades ago, before the internet was born. Times have always been interesting, and today is no exception.

As a creative alchemist, I look to the future with the joyful curiosity of a six year old child. I see endless opportunities, fascinating people to meet, brands to discover, start ups to follow and new things to learn.

Let’s not forget we are all born with an instinct to explore and experiment. The urge to discover the unknown is embedded in all of us.

I embrace that instinct with all the talent, experience and positive energy I have to inside me. Smiling every time I meet someone who does the same.

Rodger Beekman creative alchemist

Amsterdam + Warsaw

+31(0)634013333

therodger@icloud.com