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Hi there, I am Hester and I inspire and introduce new ways of thinking especially when it comes to new media. My favorite projects have technology and creative combined. Finding and nurturing creative talent is what I have always done, even before I had the title to do it.

I’ve been an Art Director, CD, ECD, and an agency founder.
I have created each kind of comms, from the first (really the first) hyperlocal interactive banner, endless social content, massive events (Boiler room x Uber, Sonos x Gorrillaz Activation), digital interactive pieces, a multichanneled humor series, BUT; I never created a TV commercial. So yeah, you could say I’m non-traditional.
Currently I am finishing my position as Executive Creative Director at We Are Social Netherlands and after summer I am open to new opportunities. I helped start the office and now lead the creative and editorial teams, with a big focus on digital culture, tech, and storytelling that actually connects.

My career has taken me across many countries for a decade, but now I am back home, in Amsterdam with a girlfriend and a dog.

Pls find me at: hesterhaars@gmail.com

Hi there, I am Hester and I inspire and introduce new ways of thinking especially when it comes to new media. My favorite projects have technology and creative combined. Finding and nurturing creative talent is what I have always done, even before I had the title to do it.

I’ve been an Art Director, CD, ECD, and an agency founder.
I have created each kind of comms, from the first (really the first) hyperlocal interactive banner, endless social content, massive events (Boiler room x Uber, Sonos x Gorrillaz Activation), digital interactive pieces, a multichanneled humor series, BUT; I never created a TV commercial. So yeah, you could say I’m non-traditional.

I am finishing my position as Executive Creative Director at We Are Social Netherlands and after summer I am open to new opportunities. I helped start the office and now lead the creative and editorial teams, with a big focus on digital culture, tech, and storytelling that actually connects.

My career has taken me across many countries for a decade, but now I am back home, in Amsterdam with a girlfriend and a dog.

Pls find me at: hesterhaars@gmail.com


Skills
Concept Development
Leading Creatives
Art
Writing
Art Direction
Commercials
Product Innovation
Advertising
Facilitate Design Sprints
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
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
Work in Press
https://adage.com/article/creativity/creative-ads-today-att-bookingcom-channel-4-dominos-elf-beauty-geico-nba/2588461/

https://www.adweek.com/agencies/we-are-socials-amsterdam-office-opens-with-crocs-a-founding-client/
  
https://bikevibe.no/stories/the-struggles-of-change

https://33magazine.com/2019/05/28/cuscuz-x-dayclub-sit-on-my-nose/

https://www.vanityfair.it/fashion/news-fashion/2020/09/07/zalando-campagna-real-life-luxury

https://www.vogue.pl/g/8820/od-teraz-luksusowe-marki-dostepne-na-zalando

https://acrimonia.it/en/articles/zalando-ridefinisce-l%27idea-canonica-di-lusso-con-la-campagna-real-life-luxury

https://gerador.eu/cuscuz-x-day-club-criam-edicao-limitada-de-oculos-de-sol-e-apresentam-na-em-marvila/

https://contracoutura.pt/cuscuz-e-dayclub-juntam-se-para-sit-on-the-nose/