TWO QUESTIONS FOR ADCN’S NEW BOARD MEMBERS

ADCN is proud of the eight new board members, who are all experts in the world of creativity. Never before has the ADCN board been so inclusive. Starters and CEO’s, on the creative and clientside, national and international. This group will take ADCN to the next level, to unleash the creative and innovative potential of professionals all around.

Leading up to the official start of the board we’ve asked our creative leaders two questions; why ADCN and what are your plans for the future of ADCN. Let’s go.

Claire Parker (Co-President) – Executive Creative Director, Design Bridge

Why did you join the ADCN Board?
A sense of responsibility to the industry that I have been a part of here in the Netherlands for the past fourteen years, as well as a huge sense of pride to be recognized by my peers as someone who can contribute to the organization.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
Supporting and creating opportunities for all within the creative arts, regardless of economic, social or ethnic background. I was lucky to have great family support in pursuing a career; it gets harder for young people in the arts that haven’t got that. Not just in simply getting to college or university but supporting yourself through internships. Creative talent doesn’t need a University degree to get started; they just need the right opportunities.

Rik Ledder (Treasurer) – Managing Director, TBWA\NEBOKO Group

Why did you join the ADCN Board and what do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
I was raised in advertising and ADCN, for me, represents the highest stage in Dutch creativity; featured in the ADCN yearbook, the Lamp, an ADCN membership. At the same time, unreachable for an accountant like me. With a position in the board and surrounded by inspiring creative colleagues, I can finally make use of my energy and experience for the creative business and the club.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
The ADCN has gained new elan. This is visible in the growth of members and activities. It indicates that there is a need for a Club for Creativity. This growth also makes it possible to add even more quality to the programs. I see it as my job to ensure sustainable growth together with the board, commercially and financially.

Emilio de Haan – Founder & Creative Partner, HERC the agency

Why did you join the ADCN Board and what do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
I joined the board because I see it as an opportunity to make the profession less ‘corporate’. With that I mean that sometimes I have the idea that far too much is being said in boardrooms about creativity that it looks like creativity is something for the elite to decide on.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
I believe we can help improve that conversation, show the value of creativity and add new flavors and scents. On top of that, I would like to focus on and introduce new talent.

Felicitas Olschewski – Creative Director, 72andSunny

Why did you join the ADCN Board and what do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
Having recently finished a Master’s in Innovation Management, I’m incredibly proud and excited to take on the ADCN’s programs around innovation and circular brands. Using creativity to democratize thinking around new consumer behaviors and service models for the future is something I’m incredibly passionate about and a topic I’ll be focusing on.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
As a Creative Director, I’m looking forward to meeting young talent, and show to those still in education, that the creative industry is not one-dimensional, and help them discover who they would like to become.

Willem van Roosmalen – Founder, Homerun.co & FONTANEL

Why did you join the ADCN Board?
The positivity and new energy that ADCN has brought back in recent years are contagious. The main reason I joined ADCN is that I like to challenge myself and be curious. The ADCN board is a new step with a good balance between a place where I can learn from others and where I can contribute through my experience at FONTANEL and Homerun.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
I would like to bring more focus to what ADCN stands for so that we can create more inspiring and educational content, content that is sharp and more energetic than ever before. Another item on my agenda is to set up meaningful collaborations and last but not least, I would like to take the personal and professional development of creative talent to the next level.

Thecla Schaeffer – Chief Marketing Officer, Accell Group

Why did you join the ADCN Board?
ADCN is the creative benchmark in the Netherlands. It is an honor to be able to contribute to the Club for Creativity and while I help ADCN to the next level I hope to continuously feed myself with new creativity.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
I grew up on the agency side but recently moved to the client side. My goal is to improve the perspective clients have on creativity and ADCN’s community. I will demonstrate the importance of creativity for a brand.

Cyril van Sterkenburg – Director, Vandejong Creative Agency

Why did you join the ADCN Board?
With ADCN’s greater ambition to make the Netherlands 10% more creative, Dinesh Sonak and Sarah Hagens convinced me to join the board. With Vandejong Creative Agency we make ‘optimistic branding’. We explore and push the boundaries of creativity and ensure that the value of creativity becomes visible and appreciated. It is more than ‘return on investment’, just like creativity contributes to society. It is about taking responsibility for a production process, developing a fair revenue model or adding strength to inspire, innovate and change.

What do you want to accomplish for ADCN?
So I would like to see that the Netherlands becomes more creative. As an agency, we would like to contribute to this goal, but if we work together we can make even more impact. Our agency experiments with alternative business models, entrepreneurship and new forms of collaboration. These forms of creativity are also important for the future of ADCN. I would like to strengthen the ADCN brand and help talent in their development. I’m not talking about young talent only, we all need to continue developing ourselves.

Unfortunately Vincent Lammers, Creative Director ADCN and Creative Director & Partner, Ambassadors wasn’t able to answer the questions at this time.