Welcome to my sample portfolio
I'm Nils, a highly driven, versatile and entrepreneurial individual who has grown up in three different countries. A team player that excels at thinking out of the box and coming up with unconventional ideas, as well as working across a wide range of disciplines and cultures. A graduate (M.Sc) of the London School of Economics (LSE) and founder of a pioneering startup with a keen interest in the creative industries, especially advertising.
North Korea is Best Korea
This sample puts a humoristic spin on classic tourism campaigns that are supposed to display the qualities of a country to potential visitors. It does so by showing just how good things in North Korea supposedly really are and by showcasing some - partially grim - experiences that cannot be had anywhere else.
It all begins with a video I compiled and which is supposed to show how welcoming the locals are from the perspective of a tourist. This is followed by a blend of experiences that are - perhaps surprisingly - predominantly inspired by real events, and a mixture of pictures of visitors from countries all around the world to lend some credibility to the claim that North Korea can be fun. References to the country's despised political system, inlcuding its highly controversial leader, are reduced to a minimum throughout so as to avoid putting off tourists.
Home Everywhere
This campaign is aimed at showcasing the connection of a popular beer and gin brand to the Pride in London 2022 event. It is based on the photos and videos the founder, who is a great friend of mine, and I, both took of each other, the team and the public posing with the drinks they make.
The site starts with a video that was taken while fooling around during a photo session. This is followed by a gallery of us, some of the team, and many customers enjoying a variety of cans with the logos of his brewery and gin distillery. Lastly, it features a selection of flavours created and sold by the brewery.
Always Ready
The Always Ready campaign is supposed to associate the TagHeuer brand with the claim that its watches enable its wearer to always be prepared for whatever happens, while also highlighting TagHeuer's commitment to environmental causes. While words and images differ, the presentation is lent from usual TagHeuer campaigns.
Like the campaigns mentioned above, the site opens with a nature video that is both supposed to introduce the company's connection to nature, but also evoke the idea of adventure inherent in the slogan. In a typical fashion, it then displays the new watch that the public is supposed to be made aware of, together with a determined-looking guy and is actually an image taken of me at a photoshoot. This is then followed by a more laid-back and larger photo that actually shows me wearing the watch. Lastly, using a specific example, the ad elaborates in detail how exactly the company helps the environment. With the topic being an admittely slightly ironic take on the decimation of raptors in the deserts, this also creates a stark contrast to the paradisiac introductory video where water is abundant.
Der Weg ist das Ziel
Loosely translatable as "The journey is the reward", Germany's national railway company is mocking its nowadays well-known, notorious tendency for substantial delays.
This it does by first proving trains really are late quite often. And for more clarity, the company is not ashamed to add that they didn't even account for trains that are less than 6 minutes late or are cancelled altogether. In a second step, the train company presents us with a range of reasons for its delays. But while they are real and even illustrated with fitting pictures, most of them are not to be taken too seriously. After all, they are rather Force Majeure than systematic. In the end, however, the carrier provides a compelling argument why it is nonetheless worth choosing it: The incredible views of the landscapes a train ride offers.
Urban Whaling
This campaign's objective is to introduce the concept of Urban Whaling as a sensible solution to the species' endangerment.
With a sensational title, it claims that despite measures to protect whales, many of them are still endangered. A more detailed abstract then atempts to establish an emotional connection to the topic, explain its relevance and further delves into their near-exctinction. Later, Urban Whaling is brought up as a solution that benefits both whales and humans, all while the concept is brought to life with concrete images and ideas.