Ad Chat - Fernanda Romano

In todays Ad Chat we get to pick the brains of Fernanda Romano, the self-described geek and all-round creative who has been Creative Director at JWT, Global Creative Director Digital and Experiential at Euro RSCG, and even spotted in Madrid as Global Creative Director at Lola Lowe. Starting her ad career in Brazil she's been bouncing around the world ever since, and she did us the solid of replying to questions while on a flight somewhere above a large body of water. Dedication. She has it. You can track her down by following her twitter at @fefaromano

What's your favorite funny story about yourself?

When I got into university, as it's customary in Brasil, I had to go asking for money in the streets to buy the senior students booze (yes, we do that).
A very famous Brasilian actor pulled up to the traffic sign where I was doing my "begging" and I just went to him and said my practised speech: 'Hi, I am a freshman at FGV and I need some change." ....and halfway through that I realised it was him and just said: 'But you are Fagundes!' and totally lost my plot and I know it doesn't read very funny, but it was at the time, because I hardly ever lose my plot.

What piece of art (movie, book, music, painting, etc) has influenced you most? How or why?
Ravel's Bolero. I was a kid in school and we had to do an arts project with it and it was the first time I remember being so connected to sound and colour.

Who was your favorite mentor and why?
Claudio Carillo, a famous Brasilian copywriter. He was my neighbour for over twenty years. And he always said I was 'a rebel with a cause.'

What's one thing that excites you about the future of advertising?
The fact that it's becoming more and more about telling the truth.

If you could meet with anyone in history (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
Elizabeth I, because she changed the world. She was the first truly independent woman in history. She was buddies with Shakespeare and she financed pirates. She was perfect!

What’s your favorite website/blog, and why?
Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook get most of my time these days. Because they entertain, teach and connect me to the world.

What campaign or project are you most proud of?
The Let's Colour Project for Dulux.

Who is your advertising hero and why?
I would say George Lucas. But it doesn't count, does it? Then I must say David Droga. Because he is bold. Everything Droga5 do somehow makes me feel stupid. And that's good. Humility is everything.

Tell us one of the things on your bucket list.
Getting a motorbike.

What piece of advice do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
To trust my gut.

That's good advice Fernanda, always trust your gut. Thanks for doing the ad chat with us.

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See our previous ad people profiles here.
Dave Trott Creative Director of CSTTG
Arnie DiGeorge Executive Creative Director of RR Partners
Andy Kinsella Innovation Director at Glue Isobar
Koert Bakker of Victor & Spoils
Evan Brown, Sr. Copywriter at TBWA\Chiat\Day
Dena Walker, Digital Strategist at Irish International in Dublin, Ireland
Bernie Watt, copywriter at Make, in Sydney, Australia
Ron Smrczek, Executive Creative Director of TAXI Europe
Vincent Vella, Creative Director - Grey Paris, Euro RSCG and Publicis.
Gideon Amichay, Creative Chairman of Shalmor Avnon Amichay Y&R Tel Aviv
Richard Tseng, Freelance Copywriter at CP+B
Claudiu Florea, Managing Partner - Wunderkid, Romania
Snorre Martinsen of Saatchi & Saatchi Oslo
Laura Jordan Bambach, Executive Creative Director LBi
Simon White from Rapp, London
Richard Gorodecky of Amsterdam Worldwide
Ray Page of Tribal DDB
Adam Pierno of Off Madison Ave.
Edward Boches of Mullen
Dirk Singer of Rabbit, UK
Gareth Kay of Goodby, Silverstein and Partners
Tim Brunelle of Hello Viking
Rob Schwartz of TBWA\Chiat\Day