On My Radar: Rogier Vijverberg

Rogier Vijverberg is co-founder and creative director at Amsterdam agency SuperHeroes. He doesn’t watch TV but could tell you about 22tracks and loves riding his bike when he isn’t playing in the digital field.

Here he lifts the lid on more of his creative inspirations, including a recent campaign for New Zealand, his favourite movie and why he thinks nobody should be paying to place their ad.

What’s the best ad campaign you’ve seen recently?

That must be Air New Zealand’s Most Epic Safety Videos. The airline of Middle-Earth is turning the uninspired into great entertainment. Plus the films serve as New Zealand’s tourism spots, destination promos and ad campaigns, too. That’s 4-in-1: pretty sweet, my precious.

What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?

I drop by It’s Nice That every day to lean back a little. And 9gag. Interesting mix.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why?

I just got myself lured into buying an iPad Air 2. They don’t give any software updates to the first generation iPads: genius sales strategy.

What’s your favourite app on your phone and why?

22tracks. I use it when the Spotify search box is too intimidating or Pitchfork is too sour.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

I don’t watch TV. Sorry.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

The Misfortunate, a Belgian film from Dimitri Verhulst. He’s a writer I admire. Wasting time, a drinking competition called Tour de France, crime, death and a young boy growing up in the midst of a hilarious, but very touching, mix.

Where were you when inspiration last struck?

I was on my bike. Nothing is more soothing for the right part of the brain than pushing the pedals around town.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

Coming from digital, it’s great to witness and be part of the massive changes modern means are bringing to our daily lives. I’m sure the industry will follow, at some stage.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

I think it would be great if ad spaces could not be bought anymore, but only be earned. Let brands compete with great content for the best ad spaces – instead of the size of their budgets. A ‘viral’ model applied to an old school economic system. I’m sure everybody would benefit.

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

When we were thinking of starting our own agency the financial crisis kicked in. At that moment we could only think of Richard Branson’s “screw it, let’s do it”. So I guess we should say thanks to Richard.