My Latest Work
SEE ALL WORKVolkswagen | Touareg Remote Park Assist
Missing Messages
Bring Back the Energy
The Truth Wins
About me
I'm Thomas Koch, an accomplished creative professional with a diverse background spanning art, design and computer science. In 2020, I earned recognition as one of the world's top 10 Creative Directors by Lürzer’s Archive.
With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, I currently call Berlin my home, where I serve as the Executive Creative Director at the renowned international advertising agency DDB. My career journey includes significant stints at Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, Strichpunkt Design, and SYZYGY (Ars Thanea / Hi-Res! London).
My profession is my passion, and I'm deeply committed to values and principles that prioritize simplicity over complexity, foster collaboration and cross-pollination, and demand nothing short of excellence. I'm a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion, fearless in the face of change, and dedicated to making the world a better place by approaching challenges with curiosity and a fresh perspective.
Mentoring and empowering fellow creatives to excel is of paramount importance to me, as I firmly believe in the power of exceptional teamwork. I've been described as a leader, not merely a boss, a distinction I hold dear.
Beyond my work, I am an avid sports enthusiast and continue to expand my knowledge through ongoing education. I have an enduring passion for video games, movies, and captivating storytelling.
Skills
Languages
- English - Pro
- German - Native
Sector Experience
Awards
- 2023 The One Show
- 2023 ADC Annual Awards
- 2023 British Arrows
- 2023 CLIO Awards
- 2022 Eurobest
- 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
- 2022 Kinsale Shark Advertising Festival
- 2022 Epica Awards
- 2022 The New York Festivals Advertising Awards
- 2022 AICP Show
- 2022 Art Directors Club of Europe
- 2022 LIA
- 2022 D&AD Awards
- 2017 Golden Award of Montreux
- 2015 Cristal Media & ADvertising Summit
My Work
SEE ALL WORKKung Fu Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Viking Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Horror Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Design Your Time
- BRAND:
- Gear S2
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
McDonald's – Fishing Hook
- BRAND:
- McDonald's Filet-O-Fish
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Rabbit Race
- BRAND:
- Media Markt
- AGENCY:
- Ogilvy Germany
Positions
As the leading creative responsible for Volkswagen at DDB, I have overseen projects that have contributed to their positive image. I manage a creative team of 15 colleagues and collaborate with offices around the world. Additionally, my efforts have led to winning prestigious creative awards, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio Awards, and many others.
Missing Messages
- BRAND:
- Volkswagen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
Bring Back the Energy
- BRAND:
- Volkswagen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
The Truth Wins
- BRAND:
- Reporters Ohne Grenzen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
Promotion to ECD
Missing Messages
- BRAND:
- Volkswagen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
Bring Back the Energy
- BRAND:
- Volkswagen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
The Truth Wins
- BRAND:
- Reporters Ohne Grenzen
- AGENCY:
- DDB Berlin
Creative Director
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
November 2017 - August 2021 (3 years 9 months)
At Leo Burnett, I significantly expanded the business with our key client, Samsung. I started with social media oversight and TV campaign execution
for Samsung Mobile. Later, the team I led could add Samsung Home Appliances and Samsung TVs to our portfolio.
These generated millions of euros in revenue for the agency. I led many big launches for Samsung‘s mobile division and was key in keeping Cadillac and getting Condor Airlines. Both highly lucrative accounts for Leo Burnett. They later won a multimillion euro account with Media Markt. They won it with the concept and design I created. The work of my team garnered many creative awards for these clients.
It includes a prestigious Golden Lion in the Film category at Cannes. It is the first for Germany in over seven years. My achievements were recognized with a promotion to Creative Director and the internal "Star Reacher Award“ honoring top-performing employees in Germany.
for Samsung Mobile. Later, the team I led could add Samsung Home Appliances and Samsung TVs to our portfolio.
These generated millions of euros in revenue for the agency. I led many big launches for Samsung‘s mobile division and was key in keeping Cadillac and getting Condor Airlines. Both highly lucrative accounts for Leo Burnett. They later won a multimillion euro account with Media Markt. They won it with the concept and design I created. The work of my team garnered many creative awards for these clients.
It includes a prestigious Golden Lion in the Film category at Cannes. It is the first for Germany in over seven years. My achievements were recognized with a promotion to Creative Director and the internal "Star Reacher Award“ honoring top-performing employees in Germany.
Kung Fu Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Viking Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Horror Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Design Your Time
- BRAND:
- Gear S2
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
McDonald's – Fishing Hook
- BRAND:
- McDonald's Filet-O-Fish
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
- 2023 British Arrows
- 2022 ADC Annual Awards
- 2022 Kinsale Shark Advertising Festival
- 2022 Epica Awards
- 2022 The New York Festivals Advertising Awards
- 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
- 2022 The One Show
- 2022 AICP Show
- 2022 Art Directors Club of Europe
- 2022 Eurobest
- 2022 LIA
- 2022 CLIO Awards
- 2022 D&AD Awards
- 2017 Golden Award of Montreux
Senior Art Director
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
July 2015 - October 2017 (2 years 3 months)
Promotion to CD
Kung Fu Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Viking Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Horror Movie
- BRAND:
- Samsung QLED TV
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
Design Your Time
- BRAND:
- Gear S2
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
McDonald's – Fishing Hook
- BRAND:
- McDonald's Filet-O-Fish
- AGENCY:
- Leo Burnett Germany
- 2023 British Arrows
- 2022 ADC Annual Awards
- 2022 Kinsale Shark Advertising Festival
- 2022 Epica Awards
- 2022 The New York Festivals Advertising Awards
- 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
- 2022 The One Show
- 2022 AICP Show
- 2022 Art Directors Club of Europe
- 2022 Eurobest
- 2022 LIA
- 2022 CLIO Awards
- 2022 D&AD Awards
- 2017 Golden Award of Montreux
Artist and Senior Design Director
Freelance
Germany
April 2015 - June 2015 (2 months)
I worked on a personal project for an art gallery in Hamburg, Germany. It‘s
garnered significant attention and led to many job offers. I decided on Leo
Burnett as my chosen agency.
garnered significant attention and led to many job offers. I decided on Leo
Burnett as my chosen agency.
Senior Art Director
Strichpunkt Design
Germany
August 2014 - March 2015 (7 months)
With a small team of 8 members, we significantly advanced the agency‘s
digital capabilities. We successfully leveraging them for clients such
as Telefonica and Audi. I was offereda promotion to Creative Director
after eight months. I declined to pursue personal projects and further
my education.
digital capabilities. We successfully leveraging them for clients such
as Telefonica and Audi. I was offereda promotion to Creative Director
after eight months. I declined to pursue personal projects and further
my education.
During my initial weeks at Ogilvy, I played a crucial role in two pitches.
The first task was defending the Telefonica account. We kept it as a team.
The second pitch was for an 8 million euro Volkswagen account. We won the pitch with 4 people; the decisive idea, according to the client, was mine.
Recognizing my strengths, the agency tasked me with building a social media team for its largest client, Media Markt. We started with three members. We grew the fanbase from five to seven digits. The team grew to nine members. Also, the client boosted their investment in social and integrated campaigns.
The campaigns made large profits for both the client and the agency. They also got much attention. Besides the profit, these projects won a lot of awards at various known shows, including some gold Lions at Cannes.
The first task was defending the Telefonica account. We kept it as a team.
The second pitch was for an 8 million euro Volkswagen account. We won the pitch with 4 people; the decisive idea, according to the client, was mine.
Recognizing my strengths, the agency tasked me with building a social media team for its largest client, Media Markt. We started with three members. We grew the fanbase from five to seven digits. The team grew to nine members. Also, the client boosted their investment in social and integrated campaigns.
The campaigns made large profits for both the client and the agency. They also got much attention. Besides the profit, these projects won a lot of awards at various known shows, including some gold Lions at Cannes.
Promotion to Art Director
On the first day of my trial period, I was offered an apprenticeship contract. I successfully shortened it from three years to 1.5 years through outstanding performance. My practical work was recognized as the best in the school. As part of a multidisciplinary team, I contributed to campaigns for prestigious clients such as Chanel, Mazda, and Jägermeister.
Early on, I was given the freedom to execute complex projects. From concept and design to layout and programming, through to client presentations. My work delivered highly profitable results. Additionally, I was awarded the New Media Award for young creatives in Germany.
Early on, I was given the freedom to execute complex projects. From concept and design to layout and programming, through to client presentations. My work delivered highly profitable results. Additionally, I was awarded the New Media Award for young creatives in Germany.