Mateo Fernandez is the son of a well-known Colombian editorial and advertising photographer, his mom was runner up for Miss Colombia.

His dad's job is mainly where the passion for art direction and advertising comes from and why it only grew stronger with time. His mom's former glory is just cool. Living in such a strong aesthetic and visual home made his creative eye grow sharper.

Went to college in the United States, then stay in Minneapolis for Miami Ad School.

Started to work in a small shop as a freelancer in Minneapolis and went back home to Colombia to work at Young and Rubicam. Then LOWE SSP3, then Ogilvy & Mather Bogotá, then Ogilvy & Mather Paris, and now McCann Paris, where he got nominated as one of the 10 best creative partnerships under 30 in France, produced one of the most awarded campaigns in France in 2018, won the VR for Good project at Cannes 2019, and got promoted to ACD.

A couple of years later got promoted to CD, And produced the most awarded campaign in France in 2021 (The Bread Exam) getting a PR Grand Prix at Cannes 2021, Garand Prix at Effie, Grand Prix at Golden Drum, EuroBest, and Wark.

His work and life creativity is drawn from culture, from his big want to understand how it works and how to channel it for his work and for the bettering of people, their outcome, and the one of our world. Lately, He has been having teeny-tiny bi-weekly panic attacks concerning his place in this world and the future of it. So every day he strives to be a better person and to use his creativity for good.

After his new promotion, he has been finding that leading creativity can also change the outcome of the world, striving to learn and actively trying, and being a positive good teacher are some of his newfound big priorities.

He is still writing or rather art directing his story.

Here are some of the things he has accomplished so far:

Special accolades:

Mar 2024 The Drum Top 100 World Charity Campaigns #18

Mar 2023 World Creative Rankings Top 100 Campaigns 2023 #6

Mar 2023 World Creative Rankings #10 Creative Director

2023 The One Club of Creativity Jury duty.

2023 & 2022 LE book Connect Jury duty.

2023 World Creative Ranking: 100 Best Creative Directors 19.

2023 DA&D 4th best Creative Director World Wide.

2023 Golden Drum Awards Jury Duty.

2023 Cannes Lions Ranking 10th Best Creative Director.

2022 The Drum 200 most awarded ad campaigns of the last 12 months (11th spot The Bread Exam)

2021 Adweek Number 16 Best ads of the year (The Bread Exam)

2021 CoPublicitarias Best Colombian abroad (4th best)

2018 Teams to watch in France under 30 Strategies magazine.

2012 Young Lions Design Bronze.

2010 Miami Ad School Top Dog Award (best student).

2023 & 2022 LE book Connect Jury duty.

GRAND PRIX

Juin 2024 - ADC Germany - Sustainability - Opt.Ink

Jul 2022 New York Festival Best of Show + Brand Of The Year - The Bread Exam

Jul 2022 New York Festival - Partnership - Brand - Purpose - The Bread Exam

Jul 2022 New York Festival - Social/Environmental Good - The Bread Exam

Apr 2022 - Grand Clio - Public Relations - Cause Related - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Grand Prix PR - Culture & Context - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - MENA Effie - Positive Change: Social Good - Non-Profit - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Eurobest - PR - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - HEALTH & WELLNESS - The Bread Exam

Jan 2022 - WARC - Media: Effective Use of Partnerships & Sponsorships - The Bread Exam

GOLD

Jun 2024 - ADC Germany - Activation - Cross-media Campaign - Opt.Ink

Jun 2024 - ADC Germany - PR Activation - Product PR - Opt.Ink

Jun 2023 - Cannes Lions - Gold Social & Influencer - Cultural Insight - Opt.Ink

Sept 2023 - Gerety - Alternative - Health Cut

Apr 2022 - Clio - Gold - Branded Entertainment & Content - Partnerships/Co-CreationGold - The Bred Exam

Apr 2022 - Clio - Gold - Public Relations - Multicultural - The Bread Exam

Apr 2022 - Clio - Gold - Social Media - Social Video - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Gold in Direct - Health & Wellness - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Gold in PR - Culture & Context - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Gold - Branded Content & Entertainment - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - MENA Effie - Gold - Healthcare - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Eurobest - Gold - Online & Viral Film - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Epica Awards - Gold - PR - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Epica Awards - Gold - Positive Change: Social Good – Non-Profit - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Epica Awards - Gold - Small Budgets – Non-Profit - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - MENA Effie - Gold - Public Interest - Health & Safety - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - MENA Effie - Gold - Small Budgets - Non-Profit - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Eurobest - Gold - Social & Influencer - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Gold - Health & Wellness: Social Responsibility/Awareness - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA- Gold - Health & Wellness: Use of Social Media - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Gold - Online Film: Tone Of Voice - The Bread Exam

Sep 2021 - Strategies - Gold / Coup de coeur du jury - Grand Prix de la Communication editoriale - The Bread Exam

Sep 2021 - Strategies - Gold - Grand Prix de la Pub - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - ENGAGEMENT, Public & Community Relations - The Bread Exam

Mar 2021 - Strategies - Grand Prix Strategies de la Communication d’engagement 2021 - The Bread Exam

2019 - D&AD - WOOD PENCIL - DIRECT - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - D&AD - WOOD PENCIL - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - EURO EFFIE - Gold - Bordeaux 2050 - Small budget - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - EURO EFFIE - Gold - Bordeaux 2050 - Original Device - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - Art Director’s Club - Bordeaux 2050 - Innovation - Bordeaux 2050

SILVER

Mai 2024 - The One Show - Silver Pencil - Cultural Driver - Popular Culture Impact - Opt.Ink

Jun 2023 - Cannes Lions - Media - Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight - Opt.Ink

Jun 2023 - Cannes Lions - PR - Not for profit - Government - Opt.Ink

Jun 2023 - Cannes Lions - Direct - Not for profit - Government - Opt.Ink

Oct 2023 - LIA - PR - Non-Governmental Organization - Opt.Ink

Oct 2023 - Effie Germany - Social Responsibility - Opt.Ink

Sept 2023 - Gerety - Alternative - Work for Good Cut

Dec 2023 - Eurobest - PR - Non-Governmental Organization - Charity - Government - Opt.Ink

Dec 2023 - Epica - Public Interest - Social - Opt.Inc

Apr 2022 - Clio - Partnerships & Collaborations - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Brand Experience & Activation - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Health & Wellness - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - PR - Health & Wellness - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Social & Influencer Marketing - The Bread Exam

Sep 2021 - Gerety Awards - Work For Good - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Eurobest - Brand Experience & Activation - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA- Evolution: Media Innovation - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Health & Wellness: Health Institutions - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Online Film: Innovative Use of Online Film - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Online Film: Zeitgeist - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Social Media & Influencer: Innovative Use of Social - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Social Media & Influencers: Healthcare - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - CONTENT, Native Advertising, Brand Integration, Sponsorships & Co-Promotions - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - CREATIVE EFFECTIVENESS, Multi-country/region NON-PROFIT - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - Content, PR - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - DIGITAL, MOBILE & TECHNOLOGY, Social Networking Solutions & Community Sites - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - Engagement, Direct - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - GENIUS LOCAL SPIRIT - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - Integrated, Retail & Public Services - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - POP CULTURE & ART, Influencers - The Bread Exam

2019 - One Show - Innovation in Branded Entertainment - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - One Show - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - French Art Directors Club - DIGITAL - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - NY FESTIVAL - DIRECT - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - NY FESTIVAL - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - NY FESTIVAL - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - EUROBEST - Brand Experience & Activation - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - EUROBEST - Direct - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - CLIO - Innovation - Bordeaux 2050

BRONZE

Avr - 2024 - Webbies Awards - Health and Awareness - Opt.Ink

Avr - 2024 - Webbies Awards - Public Service and Activism - Opt.Ink

Jun 2024 - ADC Germany - Brand PR - Social Media Activation - Opt.Ink

Jun 2024 - ADC Germany - Brand PR - Influencer Marketing - Opt.Ink

Jun 2024 - ADC Germany - Brand Building - Cross-media Campaign - Opt.Ink

Oct 2023 - LIA - Creativity in PR - Public Service - Opt.Ink

Dec 2023 - Eurobest - Direct - Non-Governmental Organization - Charity - Government - Opt.Ink

Dec 2023 - Epica - Direct Marketing - Opt.Inc

Dec 2023 - Epica - Public Interest - Health & Safety - Opt.Inc

Jun 2023 - Cannes Lions - Direct - Launch-Re-launch - Opt.Ink

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Brand Experience & Activation - Culture & Context - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Direct - Culture & Context - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Media - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - PR - Social Engagement & Influencer Marketing - The Bread Exam

Jun 2021 - Cannes Lions - Influencer Marketing - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - MENA Effie - Influencer Marketing - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Eurobest Awards - Media Innovation - Traditional Media - The Bread Exam

Dec 2021 - Epica Awads - Media - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Non-Traditional: Healthcare services - The Bread Exam

Nov 2021 - LIA - Online Film: Public Service / NGO / Charity - The Bread Exam

Oct 2021 - Golden Drum - SOCIAL GOOD, Profit Social Good - The Bread Exam

2019 - Cannes Lions - Creative Data - Bordeaux 2050

2019 - Cannes Lions - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - EUROBEST - Brand Experience & Activation - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - EUROBEST - Direct - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - EUROBEST - Brandindg entertainment - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - EUROBEST - PR - Bordeaux 2050

2018 - CLIO - PR - Bordeaux 2050

Laboral highlights beyond the awards:

Ogilvy: The agency pitched for the global launch of Nestlea’s new NGO in charge of improving children’s healthy habits which I played a crucial part in winning, creating producing, launching, and sustaining it, only being a junior.

McCann: With only 3 months in the agency was added as the art director responsible for the Global pitch of the French beauty brand Vichy, after winning it he was part of the production of the global campaign the set campaign.

His first job after getting promoted to ACD and digital lead was to participate in the Facebook (Meta) pitch for the VR for good initiative and won, led the launch of Subway’s new products and Mastercard’s French Market.

After this success, he was introduced to most major pitches and he helped turn them into wins for the agency, it beginning with the Global pitch for Nespresso, PSA’s Used vehicles launch, and La Provençal cosmetics a L’oreal group brand. solidifying a relationship with this prestigious conglomerate.

When he got promoted to CD it was to lead the French market beauty campaigns, winning a couple of brands as well as sustaining L’oreals NGO against women's street harassment.

During this whole time, he was appointed as the liaison with the European Market’s creative council, entity in charge of the ideas with the possibility of being recognized for their creativity in the award shows.

At Deezer (music app) he moved as the VP of creativity: Where he led the rework of the global creative strategic positioning to create the new slogan, branding, and launch campaign, something that did with great success for the brand subscriptions, positioning, and cred.