Olá!
I’m Raul Arantes — a Creative Director based in Dubai, currently leading integrated work at Havas Middle East.
I started as a maker.
Long before leadership titles, presentations, or business conversations, I was drawn to the process of building things — experimenting with design, code, film, motion, photography, interaction, and visual systems. What fascinated me wasn’t just the final output, but the possibility of creating ideas that could move between disciplines, technologies, and people.
Over time, that curiosity evolved into something broader.
What began as crafting ideas gradually became about shaping the environments around them — leading teams, building creative systems, mentoring talent, and helping organizations think differently about creativity itself.
Today, my work sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, culture, and business. I lead integrated campaigns, social-first platforms, and creative operations for global brands across the Middle East and beyond, while exploring how ideas can remain emotionally resonant in a world increasingly optimized for speed, automation, and scale.
I’m particularly interested in the tension between craft and systems. In a world obsessed with scalability, I still believe the most meaningful ideas often begin as something fragile, unconventional, and deeply human.
The challenge is not just creating them — but building the right teams, structures, and momentum around them so they can grow without losing what made them special in the first place.
Over the past 20 years, my experience has taken me across Brazil, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Dubai, working with agencies including Wieden+Kennedy, Monks, TBWA, Ogilvy, JWT, AlmapBBDO, and Havas. Along the way, I’ve worked across disciplines ranging from visual arts and digital experiences to integrated campaigns, social ecosystems, film, and emerging technologies.
My work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, The Webby Awards, New York Festivals, London International Awards, and others.
Alongside my creative career, I completed an Executive MBA at Quantic School of Business and Technology — an experience that expanded how I think about leadership, organizational design, systems thinking, and creativity as a driver of business transformation, not just communication.
Right now, I’m focused on the next chapter: expanding my impact as a creative leader — shaping organizations, mentoring talent, and building ideas that move beyond campaigns to create lasting cultural and business value.
Work Experience
Havas Middle East
Dubai
Media.Monks Singapore
Singapore
R/GA Singapore
Singapore
TBWA\ Singapore
Singapore
Diagonal Studio
Hong Kong
Wieden+Kennedy
Shanghai
Publicis Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Ogilvy Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Wieden+Kennedy
São Paulo
Professional Sabbatical
London
AlmapBBDO
São Paulo
Lean Mean Figthing Machine
London
JWT London
London
Agency Republic
London
DDB Brazil
São Paulo
Zenza Digital
São Paulo
Awards
2024
Effies
EWC "Drops" – Silver
Zespri "Pill Box" – Silver
Zespri "Pill Box" - Bronze
Zespri "Pill Box" - Bronze
2019
Gong Awards
Standard Chartered "Ships" – Gold
Standard Chartered "Wildlife" – Silver
Standard Chartered "Wildlife" – Silver
Standard Chartered "Ships" – Bronze
Standard Chartered "Old Age" – Bronze
TBWA: Agency of the Year – Winner
TBWA: Digital Agency of the Year – Winner
Standard Chartered "Old Age" – Shortlist
2015
Wave Festival
Heineken "Open SP" – Bronze
Heineken "Open SP" – Bronze
2013
El Ojo de Iberoamérica
Nike "Black and White" – Shortlist
New York Festivals
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Shortlist
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Shortlist
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Shortlist
One Show Interactive
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Merit
FIAP
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Gold
Wave Festival
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Gold
Webby Awards
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Winner
Volkswagen "The Original Click" –Nominee
YoungGuns International
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Bronze
El Ojo de Iberoamérica
AlmapBBDO Agency of the Year – Winner
2012
Cannes Lions
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Bronze
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Shortlist
São Paulo Creative Club
Volkswagen "Legends" – Bronze
Volkswagen "Legends" – Bronze
London International Awards
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Bronze
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Bronze
Tomorrow Awards
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Shortlist
El Ojo de Iberoamérica
Volkswagen "The Original Click" – Gold
2011
Cannes Lions
AlmapBBDO Agency of the Year – Winner
2007
Cannes Lions
Terra Networks "Kid's World" – Bronze
MMonline/MSN
Terra Networks "Kid's World" – Bronze
2006
FIAP
Tok&Stok "Bedroom" – Bronze
Tok&Stok "Living Room" – Merit
São Paulo Creative Club
Philips "Hold" – Shortlist
2005
El Ojo de Iberoamérica
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Shortlist
Philips "Hold" – Shortlist
Clio Awards
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Shortlist
TAM Express "Testimonial" – Shortlist
One Show Interactive
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Shortlist
TAM Express "Testimonial" – Shortlist
Cannes Lions
Itau Insurance Games – Shortlist
Telefónica "Elvis" – Shortlist
Philips "Hold" – Shortlist
MMonline/MSN
Professional of the Year – Winner
Cannes Lions
DM9DDB Agency of the Year – Winner
2004
Cannes Lions
TAM Express "Testimonial" – Silver
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Bronze
Itau Insurance "Lost - Plug" – Bronze
São Paulo Creative Club
TAM Airlines "Screensaver" – Silver
Philips "Home Entertainment" – Merit
New York Festivals
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Silver
London International Awards
TAM Express "Testimonial" – Shortlist
Telefónica "Pocket Books" – Shortlist
Itaú Insurance "Lost - Plug" – Shortlist
Honda "Civic" – Shortlist
El Ojo de Iberoamérica
TAM Express "Testimonial" – Shortlist
Clio Awards
Philips "Home Entertainment" – Shortlist
Flashforward
Philips "Home Entertainment" – Finalist
© Raul Arantes 2025
Creative Director