On My Radar: Robert Llauro

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

I love the execution on the new FIFA 19 Champions Rise ad. It’s so energetic and eclectic that it really caught my eye. Nowadays everything looks pretty similar, and this one is kind of unique. Also working with celebrities is always complicated, but the outcome here is very interesting. It’s also impossible not to mention Apple Welcome Home. Impeccable idea and unique execution. Really exciting.

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

I guess everything starts with Google. Not a great answer but definitely an honest one.

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

Just checked my Amazon app and my last purchase was a rice cooker and a Roomba vacuum cleaner. Both are pretty awesome to have. Recommended.

What’s your favoured social media platform?

Instagram. For sure. Actually, it’s the only one I use/check on a daily basis. I’m guessing it’s because I like to see images and understand the story by myself rather than reading about it ...

What’s your favourite app on your phone?

MoviePass. But unfortunately, the unlimited fun is coming to an end.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

There are so many I love... I honestly try to watch as many as possible. But the first ones popping up in my mind are Atlanta, Kidding, Patrick Melrose, Mr. Robot, American Vandal, Maniac [below] and Master of None.

Where were you when inspiration last struck?

Creativity is a very complex process. And if you are searching for it, it can make you very anxious and stressed. So, when I’m not working, I try to be as lazy and as spontaneous as possible. And usually I get ideas out of the most unexpected things. For example, I came up with an idea for a short film a few weeks ago while walking around the Bronx zoo with my five-year-old niece.

Also, I remember once I was having breakfast before a meeting in the Lower East Side when I saw people going into an audition. I got closer and I could see they were dancers. It was a very nice moment. I became obsessed with contemporary dancers for a few days. Later that week, I received a board for Buick. When I shared thoughts with the agency I was like: Can we shoot a contemporary dancer instead? And that’s how the Buick dancer commercial was born. That’s one of my favourite [spots] in my reel. Now that I’m thinking, similar stuff happened in Avon and Ram. Looks like I always end up adding things I’ve seen in real life into the stories.

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

When digital supports became mainstream, I believe there was a democratisation of the industry. Plenty of new directors (myself included) and production companies appeared and that made the visual language evolve faster. More voices equal better results. Always.

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

I honestly love the job as is. If there’s one thing to mention, it would just be being more spontaneous. Sometimes you create the world and the best stuff comes out when you just shoot around and improvise a little bit. Extremely planned things can sometimes lose the spark of the moment and become a little stiff. It can be hard to inject energy into the process. That “unexpected detail” that makes the film evolve can sometimes be an imperfection or something that comes out of the synergy of the shooting.

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

Curiosity. Ambition. The fact that I always want more / try new things / explore other possibilities / make things bolder is what keeps me going. I’ve met a few people who won’t ever settle for less and I find that a very noble drive to creating things.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know.

I’m a great cook and I’d love to pilot airplanes.