I’m a creative leader and modern storyteller at the intersection of brand, culture and social. With over 15 years of experience in the global agency world (EMEA focus) I’ve built creative and editorial teams, launched immersive campaigns and engineered ideas that live and breathe across digital, social and IRL. I help brands and creators understand how to craft and work for attention, through content, tone, community and aesthetic.

I've worked in what we once called "innovative," then "digital," and now, "social", but that term doesn't cover the load. It's all of it. A book. A complex digital scheme. It’s mostly media choice and understanding the context.

CURRENT INTEREST

  • Thoughtful leadership and creative wellbeing

  • The future of social brand building and community

  • Bringing artistic sensibility into commercial work without losing clarity or purpose


EXPERIENCE

  • Global brand campaigns for major players across lifestyle, tech and entertainment

  • Creator-led branded content that blends social-first formats with storytelling architecture

  • Leadership and creative team transformation within top-tier agency environments


AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Global brand campaigns for major players across lifestyle, tech and entertainment

  • Creator-led branded content that blends social-first formats with storytelling architecture

  • Leadership and creative team transformation within top-tier agency environments


OCTOBER 2025 –  I’m currently finishing my role as Executive Creative Director at We Are Social Netherlands, where I helped start the office and led the creative and editorial teams, with a strong focus on digital culture, technology, and storytelling that truly connects.

I am open for new opportunities
contact: hesterhaars@gmail.com

Relevant Press
LATEST WORK BOOKING
https://adage.com/article/creativity/creative-ads-today-att-bookingcom-channel-4-dominos-elf-beauty-geico-nba/2588461/

INTERVIEW THE NEXT CARTEL
https://thenextcartel.com/observatory/tnc-talks-vol-11-masters-of-the-creative-craft-creative-directors-edition/

OPENING PRESS
https://www.adweek.com/agencies/we-are-socials-amsterdam-office-opens-with-crocs-a-founding-client/

STRUGGLES OF CHANGE X INTERVIEW
https://bikevibe.no/stories/the-struggles-of-change

(SOME) WORK PR
VANITYFAIR
VOGUE
ZALANDO WORK
DAYCLUB PRESS
DAYCLUB EVENTS
UBER x BOILER ROOM



Skills
Recognising Talent
Nuturing Talent
Aesthetics 
Concept Development
Leading Teams
Developing Teams
Art Direction
Ideation
Facilitate Design Sprints
Product Innovation
Advertising
Creative Direction
Graphic Design
Photography
Product Design
Print
Exhibition Design

Awards
Silver in Comedy, Shorty Awards 2025
Audience in Comedy, Shorty Awards 2025
Best Creative, Overal TIKTOK Awards 2025
Best Creative, UK TIKTOK Awards 2024
San Awards - Agency of the Year Gospooky 2022
Best Use Of Snapchat - Drum Awards 2021
Silver ONE show
2018
FWA Mobile
Winner
2016
Deutscher Digital Award
Silver Digital Format
2015
Webby's
2015
Webby's 
Nominated
2015
PIAF Silver 
Creative Branding
2015
PIAF Silver 
Audience Engagement
2015
PIAF Silver 
Brilliant Execution
2015
Annual Multimedia Award Silver
Digital Campaign
2015
AME Silver 
Use of Medium
2015
AME Bronze
Use of Medium
2015
AME Bronze
Product & Services
2015 Cristal Award
Best Use of Outdoor
2013
Finalist Cannes Lions
Best use Social Media
2012
Silver SpinAwards
Online Campaign
2012
1st place Top Rated Creativity Online
2012
Nima Award
Best Turnaround
2015
Webby Awards Official Honoree
Rich Media: Promotional
2015
Webby Awards Official Honoree
Best Use of Online Media
2012
Adrime Rich Media Award
Online Campaign of the year
2012
SpinAwards
Content
2012
Eurobest Bronze
Promo & Activation
2011
Nima Marketing Excellence Award
2009