Hi, we are Tom Berth (copywriter, °1977) & Geert De Rocker (art director, °1976), an inseparable creative team since 2001. In Belgian advertising circles we are known as Tom & Geert, or Tom & Berth, or Geert & Berth. Two decades of confusion we continue to cultivate today.
Although we enjoyed being creative directors for five years at Publicis Brussels (from 2011 to 2016), we always found the greatest satisfaction in creating things ourselves. From briefing to concept to creative execution. We look back with a lot of love and gratitude on the years we spent as concept providers at several wonderful agencies: 6 years at Duval Guillaume, 3 years at FamousGrey, 2 years at Happiness…
We worked with so many inspiring and talented people on so many great brands. Car brands (Renault, Volvo, Volkswagen, Opel, Hyundai, …). Telcos (Telenet, Mobistar, Orange, Proximus, VOO…). Media (ATV, De Morgen, De Tijd, Canvas, Radio 1…). Banks and insurances (Dexia, BNP Paribas Fortis, Fintro, Hello Bank, AG Insurance…). Non-profits (OVK, Reporters Without Borders, ALS Liga, Responsible Young Drivers, GAIA…).
We were both brought up to be modest, but yes…. In all these years, we didn’t do bad at international advertising festivals like Cannes and Eurobest, nor at the Creative Belgium Awards. We’ve added our share of metal to the trophy cabinet of all the agencies we have worked for. Far more than spotlights and shiny statues, we cherish the work and the people with whom we made it happen.
This last paragraph is about new beginnings. After over 20 years of working for other people’s agencies, the lockdown brought a change. In 2022, we started doing our own thing: we became creating partners of an independent creative studio called Berlin. ‘Creating Partners’? It’s just a name for the plug-in hybrid role we play as partners, concept providers, creative directors and coffee machine managers. Sound chaotic? It is and we love it.
Check out what we’re brewing at Berlin (not in Berlin):
