Hello and thank you for visiting. I'm Brenda, a Creative Director working at Dawn. Here I tell stories in whatever medium suits the story best. Hailing from the Netherlands, I first studied people, before finding my creative calling while living on the other side of the world. Since then, I have worked for international agencies, graduated from the Cannes Lions Young Creative Academy, and became an ADCN Next Talent finalist. I believe that a good idea needs a good truth and that empathy is one of the most undervalued skills. Using the beauty of reality and the power of honesty, I'm always looking to create work that is human, bold, and thought-provoking. In my spare time, you'll find me listening to Prince.

EXPERIENCE
Dawn, Amsterdam, Creative Director, 2024 – present
KesselsKramer, Senior Copywriter, Amsterdam, 2019 – 2024
180 Amsterdam, Copywriter, 2017 – 2019

EDUCATION 
MA Media & Journalism, Erasmus University Rotterdam 
BA Social Psychology, Utrecht University 
Copywriting Course, AdSchool Sydney (High Distinction, 88/100)
Creative Writing, International Writers' Collective 
Cannes Lions Young Creative Academy (one of 30 selected, only creative from the Netherlands)
Creative Non-Fiction Writing, Universität der Künste Berlin, Summer School

HONORS & AWARDS
SAN Accent, Smart Idea, 2024
ADCN Finalist, Craft, Art Direction, 2024
SAN Accent Finalist, Vrije Tijd, 2024
German Brand Award, Excellence in Brand Strategy & Creation, 2024
German Brand Award, Digital Campaign, 2024
Indie Shorts Awards Cannes, Official Selection, 2020
Atlanta Black Pride Film Festival, Official Selection, 2020
FEEDBACK LGBT Toronto Film Festival, Official Selection, 2020
ADCN Next Talent, Finalist, 2019
inVisible Creatives, Portfolio of the Month, April 2019
SAN Accent, Fast Moving, 2019
ADCN, Craft, Strategy Nominee, 2019
Epica, Bronze, Copywriting & Storytelling, 2018
Gerety Awards, Shortlist, Craft Cut TV/Cinema, 2018
Epica, Shortlist, Fashion, Footwear & Personal Accessories, 2018
Epica, Shortlist, Retail Services, 2018
The Dots, Curated
Effie, Silver, Non-profit, 2017
SAN Accent, Financial Services, 2017
Ads of the World, Highlighted, 2017
RA*W x Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity delegate, 2017
What Design Can Do, Climate Action Challenge, Finalist, 2017
Dutch Design Week, WDCD exhibitor, 2017
Grand Prix CM, Gold, Non-profit, 2017
SAN Accent, Non-profit & Government, 2017
What Design Can Do, Refugee Challenge, Finalist, 2016
Lürzers Archive (several featured projects)

TALKS & PUBLICATIONS
Ladies, Wine & Design Amsterdam, Interview: Meet the Creative
Agencies of Anywhere, Career Story
Lürzers Archive, Feature: In The Spectrum
Women’s Day x Ladies, Wine & Design, co-host and speaker The Upside of Your Meltdown, all donations to Project Fearless
Little Black Book, New Talent Interview
Stu Stu Mag, Good Bad Taste

SELECTED CLIENTS
ARTE
Museumvereniging
Flower Council of Holland
Otto Group (Bonprix)
Nike
MINI (BMW)
Cineville
Hartstichting
DAZED

HIT ME UP
brendawaegemaekers@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Instagram
The Dots