Paco Olavarrieta
Former CCO
D Expósito & Partners
Paco, as he likes to introduce himself because nobody can pronounce “Olavarrieta,” is an award-winning chief creative director with a successful track record both working with top-notch agencies and as agency owner. He started as a copywriter in Mexico working in agencies like BBDO and Leo Burnett.
In 1995 he crossed the US border, legally, and joined Del Rivero Messianu Advertising (now Alma DDB) as Creative Director in Miami. After four years of developing the creative skills for the Hispanic market, he took the spot of Chief Creative Officer at The Vidal Partnership in New York. A three-year run at TVP brought the agency a national reputation as one of the most creative shops in the Hispanic market with work for clients like Heineken, Cingular and Wendy’s.
Encouraged by this momentum, he decided to taste the waters of independence and opened an agency named Ole. After starting with “offices” in the Starbucks of New York City, Ole grew up from zero to $3 million in revenue in three years of operations, with clients like Target, HSBC, and La Costeña.
Then, he decided to take a break in life and went to India to practice one of his greatest passions: yoga and meditation.
Once back in the occidental world, he got the opportunity to pitch Tecate beer. The account was won and the Adrenalina agency was born. It was backed by MDC, a network of independent agencies, such as Crispin Porter and Bogusky and KBP.
Two years of adrenalin rush produced great sales results for the brand and according to the clients and his peers, “the best creative work for Tecate ever.”
Then, encouraged by his wife to find “a normal job”, he was hired by Dieste where he lead creative at the Dallas and New York offices.
This stint was followed by his current position as CCO of Dexpósito and partners, where his plan is to continue doing great work for every other brand and have fun in the process.