Simone Bocedi

Strategist and Creative at TBWA. Fresh winner of a lion in Cannes. Aiming for more.

Longer version:
Born in a little village in Italy where I run away from at the age of 17. Spent a year in Germany speaking German and eating krauts. Enjoyed. Went back for another year. Enjoyed some more and decided to live abroad (forever?). Moved to Finland.

Went through few jobs in customer service and accounting. Had so much free time I decided to spend every night in the university studying international business and marketing. Convinced CEO to give me a full-time job in advertising even if I had no previous experience. I guess attitude matters.

First big project was Big Brother digital launch campaign manager and when we sold more subscriptions before TV ads even started.

Did Spotify Social Media strategies in Finland for a couple of years but the most fun was being keynote speaker at various events and universities.

Got a call from TBWA, they offered me free beer and a job. I liked beer so I said yes.

First notable gig when we put giant 3D masks from KISS band to statues in the middle of Helsinki to celebrate their concert.

The fame arrived as campaign creative leader for #LIFEINHEL, when a Chinese man spent 30 days living in Helsinki Airport to prove the airport is so good you can live in it -and be happy.

#LIFEINHEL brought home many awards, including a Bronze Lion from Cannes, a One Show Pencil from New York and several awards from Finland.

Now I’m working with Helsinki Airport, Finnair and Nokian Tyres for more relevant brand actions and more lions.

I am also writing a book about happiness in my free time, which is nonexistent so it’s going very slow. But hey, aim high, right?