MARCH 16, 2023 – Global independent creative network GUT announced today the opening of its newest office in Amsterdam, the agency’s first office based in Europe, and the seventh in the GUT Network. The office is currently being led by Natalia Forster as Managing Director, Bruno Steffen as Head of Strategy and Meme Traverso as Group Account Director, who all report to GUT Global CEO Andrea Diquez. GUT Amsterdam is already working with Foodora, an online delivery brand owned by Delivery Hero, which is based in Europe, as well as Kraft-Heinz. The news comes in the lead-up to GUT’s five-year anniversary on April 9th.
“We love the energy and vibe of Amsterdam, and we couldn’t think of a better city to start GUT Europe,” said Anselmo Ramos, Co-Founder and Creative Chairman of GUT. “We’ve been fans of the different agencies here, and have loved the work coming out of Amsterdam. While many people on our leadership team have worked in Europe throughout their careers, we’re excited to learn more about the market, its iconic brands, and of course, its people. After establishing ourselves in the Americas, it’s important for us to build a team with Europe’s best talent. This milestone is also such a great way to celebrate our fifth year as a Network, and we look forward to what’s to come in the next five years.”
“We’re so excited to be working with the bold and fearless team at GUT, particularly as they start a new chapter with their Amsterdam office,” said Federico Vázquez, CMO Europe at Delivery Hero. “GUT understands how to honor and uphold the values of a brand like Foodora, while expanding our possibilities, which we’ve watched them do with award-winning work across their network in the Americas. We can’t wait to see how this partnership will help us to even better serve our audience in the European market.”
"We know and love GUT's People-first culture, and are excited to be working with them in Europe,” said Paula Marconi, CMO Continental Europe Kraft-Heinz. “GUT truly is an agency that understands the culture of different people and markets around the world, and always helps us bring culturally-relevant and effective content to our audiences across our brands. We're proud to spread our partnership and to see what we can achieve together in their new phase in Amsterdam."
“We’re excited to spread our People-First culture over the Atlantic, and make a new home here in Europe,” said Gaston Bigio, Co-Founder and Creative Chairman at GUT. “We want to become one of the best, most diverse and creative agencies ever in Europe. That will be a never-ending goal. We’re also excited to celebrate Europe’s diversity in its people and cultures, as well as work with the continent’s best talent and brands. And we look forward to learning from established agencies in Europe, becoming their peers and having some friendly competition along the way.”
Originally from Argentina, Forster has been living in the Netherlands for over 15 years, with over 20 years of experience across the advertising industry, including award-winning agencies like 180, Wieden+Kennedy and TBWA, where she spent nine years, leading adidas globally. Steffen previously served as Group Strategy Director at GUT Miami, having worked on its AOR client Philadelphia Cream Cheese, as well as campaigns for Anheuser-Busch InBev’s roster of brands, including Michelob ULTRA. Traverso was previously at GUT Buenos Aires, where she served as International Account Director working across the agency’s clients including Coca-Cola, Mercado Libre, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Globant and Heinz.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the incredible team at GUT Amsterdam as Managing Director,” Forster said. “GUT is an agency with a heart beat and the most fiery of souls. We’re going to focus on building a European office that reflects our ethos, working hand in hand with world-class brands and individuals, creating a dynamic that thrives under mutual trust and strong human bonds. That’s how we’ll get to culture-shifting, unforgettable work. I’m excited, humbled, and grateful for the paths that we will walk down together.”
This announcement follows the appointment of GUT’s first-ever Global CEO, Andrea Diquez, as well as its promotion of GUT Partners Ricardo Casal and Juan Javier Peña Plaza to NA CCOs & Partners last fall. In 2022, GUT also opened its Los Angeles office, which is led by award-winning ECDs Ariel Abramovici and Bruno Acanfora. Their clients include ABI’s Michelob ULTRA, DoorDash and Activision-Blizzard, among others. GUT’s additional offices are located in Miami (its HQ), Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto and Mexico City.
Across the network, GUT has won multiple prestigious awards and accolades, including being named the #2 Independent Network of the Year at Cannes Lions in 2022; becoming one of Ad Age’s A-List Agencies for the 3rd year in a row; winning Contagious Pioneers 2023; being named the Best Independent Network in The Drum’s 2023 Creative Rankings list, and being honored as The One Show’s 2022 Indie Agency of the Year across its Miami, São Paulo and Buenos Aires offices, among many other accolades.
