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On My Radar: Olivier Lefebvre
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Olivier Lefebvre, President, Partner and Executive Creative Director of Fred & Farid Paris, highlights some of his inspirations, and explains why a perceived disability is actually a key strength.
What is the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?
I really enjoyed the last Burberry film; it was very dreamy and in line with the first two. I also liked a Heineken Bar Experience recruitment campaign. It's an interesting project as it helps bars recruit by showcasing Heineken as an employer, while also working to improve their image.
Credits
powered by
- Agency Client Direct
- Production Company Riff Raff
- Director Megaforce
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Credits
powered by
- Agency Client Direct
- Production Company Riff Raff
- Director Megaforce
- Editor Richard Orrick
- Editor Assistant Rain Keene
- VFX The Mill/London
- Sound 750mph
- Talent Alanna Archibald
- Talent Joshua Burnett Blake
- Talent Nonoka Kato
- Executive Producer Matthew Fone
- Producer James Waters
- Producer Tracey Cooper
- Production Manager Davina Abrahams
- Production Assistant Patch Wadsworth
- DP Mauro Chiarello
- Editor Producer Charlie Dalton
- VFX Supervisor/CG Lead William Laban
- VFX Executive Creative Director/2D Lead Alex Lovejoy
- VFX Producer Grace Thorpe
- VFX Producer Saskia Delius
- Animation Lead Marion Strunck
- Art Director Ashley Dando
- Colorist Emiliano Serantoni
- Colorist Maruf Khan
- Gaffer Jonny Franklin
- Audio Producer Olivia Ray
- Sound Designer Jake Ashwell
- Sound Design & Mix Sam Ashwell
Credits
powered by
- Agency Client Direct
- Production Company Riff Raff
- Director Megaforce
- Editor Richard Orrick
- Editor Assistant Rain Keene
- VFX The Mill/London
- Sound 750mph
- Talent Alanna Archibald
- Talent Joshua Burnett Blake
- Talent Nonoka Kato
- Executive Producer Matthew Fone
- Producer James Waters
- Producer Tracey Cooper
- Production Manager Davina Abrahams
- Production Assistant Patch Wadsworth
- DP Mauro Chiarello
- Editor Producer Charlie Dalton
- VFX Supervisor/CG Lead William Laban
- VFX Executive Creative Director/2D Lead Alex Lovejoy
- VFX Producer Grace Thorpe
- VFX Producer Saskia Delius
- Animation Lead Marion Strunck
- Art Director Ashley Dando
- Colorist Emiliano Serantoni
- Colorist Maruf Khan
- Gaffer Jonny Franklin
- Audio Producer Olivia Ray
- Sound Designer Jake Ashwell
- Sound Design & Mix Sam Ashwell
What website(s) do you use most regularly?
Actually, I don't really browse many websites anymore. I'm way more into social media; I follow a lot of different media/magazines on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. If an article that catches my interest, I just jumped on the link and follow it from there.
What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?
Recently, I bought a new Sony WH-1000XM4 headset, and a new iPhone 13. These items are all that I need to work at my best, since they're what I rely on day-to-day.
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What product could you not live without?
My phone. I try to limit the time I spend on it during vacation but, honestly, it's more like a detox. It gives me space to spend quality time with family, friends and my wife.
What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?
I've been a huge fan of the movie Top Gun since I was a kid. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, although that dream was cut short because I was diagnosed as deaf in one ear when I was seven-years-old and I had to choose a new career path. It sounds very obvious but, of course, I loved Top Gun Maverick, which I went to watch with both of my kids.
What film do you think everyone should have seen?
Movies are powerful. They can move you and change the way you see your life, or even the world. One of my favourite movies is Life Is Beautiful, by Roberto Benigni.
What’s your preferred social media platform?
LinkedIn. I usually find the most interesting content on LinkedIn, but TikTok is also a good place to discover creative content.
What’s your favourite TV show?
I don't have a favourite TV show. I enjoy watching so many shows and movies. I also like to watch documentaries, such as The Defiant Ones, about the lives of Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine. I've watched this documentary many times.
What’s your favourite podcast?
I'm really into running and trail-running. Whenever I run, I always listen to Dans la Tête d'Un Coureur (In the Head of a Runner), an excellent French podcast about running.
What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?
I love the work of Damien Hirst. His work Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable, which I discovered at Palazzo Grassi in Venice a few years ago, remains an incredible experience.
If you could only listen to one music artist from now on, who would it be?
It's hard to answer this question. I really like so many different musical styles! I would say Alexis Ffrench [below], an amazing British pianist. I really like his music.
If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?
There are many great opportunities for our industry to have an important voice, the chance to change the world, and that comes with a large responsibility. In my opinion, advertising still has plenty of work to do when it comes to diversity and inclusivity. Things are moving, but not fast enough. We need to lead the way, and be at the forefront on this topic, and so many others.
Who or what has most influenced your career?
I've had the opportunity to work with and meet one of the top creatives and directors in this field. So you can imagine how much I learnt from each conversation. Of course, Fred [Raillard] and Farid [Mokart] significantly impacted my way of doing this job and seeing things, and working with our clients at the agency. Many other people helped me throughout my career.
Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know.
I was born deaf in one ear. One would think that this is a disability (and it is in daily life), but I'm convinced it's actually a strength. It shaped my personality and who I am today. It helped me to be more observant, to listen to soft signals from people, and to understand what can't be said or expressed but which is nonetheless important. It also allows me to easily stay in my bubble, focused on tasks while remaining in contact with people around me. Our world is made up of differences and it's precisely these differences that make it so rich.
