

Year
2022
Disciplines
Brand direction, brand strategy
Narrative strategy
Brand identity, expression
Creative direction
Copywriting
Film direction
UI/UX design














Brand strategy & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Studio owners
Bülent Aktas, Marcel Aniol
Branding and expression (art & copy)
Bob van Boven
Webdesign and development
Bob van Boven
BE2ND (Manifesto video)
Concept, writing, and direction
Bob van Boven
Voice talent
Jessica Lichtenberg
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Music
Bobby Saint
As Head of Brand and Creative Director, I built a unified strategic vision that embedded the studio’s purpose into creative operations. This included guiding brand storytelling, overseeing design and UX, and ensuring every output aligned with a clear narrative. Alongside the visual identity and website, I introduced strategic tools for adaptability, keeping the brand ready to evolve “the next day, every day.
The work delivered more than a new identity. It established a lasting strategic foundation that continues to guide creative and operational decisions. With a sharper position, a defined narrative voice, and renewed internal alignment, 2nd Best Studio is equipped to grow with clarity and confidence. The refreshed identity has opened new client opportunities and turned key deliverables into shareable moments, reinforcing its place as next to best, but never ordinary.

Year
2021
Disciplines
Creative direction (art & copy)
Narrative strategy
Film & motion direction
Campaign strategy










Narrative strategy & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Creative lead Greator
Gary Payn
Production
Gedankentanken Pictures
Lead creative production
Bülent Aktas
Together (Campaign film)
Concept, writing, and direction
Bob van Boven
Voice talent
Jessica Lichtenberg
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Motion design
Carmen Diaz de la Rosa, Nick Smith
Music
Musicbed
Working with Greator’s creative team, strategic department, and C-Suite, I developed a long-term narrative strategy to give each division of the brand a distinct and relevant voice. Anchored in ‘Community Obsession’ the story-led campaign for Greator Festival centered on the idea of embracing change as a catalyst for the future, brought to life through a hero film, multiple content variations, and a suite of digital assets. The attraction phase launched during Greator Festival Online 2020, using a mix of owned, paid, and earned media to build momentum toward the 2022 in-person event.
The campaign reintroduced Greator Festival as a space for collective energy and transformation, reconnecting audiences both emotionally and physically after months of isolation. By anchoring the messaging in shared human moments — smiles, gatherings, and everyday joys — Celebrate Change resonated globally and strengthened Greator’s position as a leading voice in personal development.

Year
2017
Disciplines
Creative direction
Concept design
Film







Concept & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Film direction
Robin Piree
Project owners
Steve Fogarty, Michael Stopps
Head of production
Nadjim Tsouli
Director of photography
Aziz Al-Dilaimi
Film editing
Robin Piree, Bob van Boven
VFX
Filmmore
Colorist
Fernando Rodrigues
Music & sound design
Thomas Goralski, Tom Jansen
Drawing on my filmmaking background, I brought the project back to the drawing board. With a cross-functional workgroup spanning Brand, PR, HR, Communications, and D&I, we reshaped the concept into a coherent, insight-driven narrative built around the metaphor of the glass ceiling. After testing, it became clear adidas was not ready for a strong external statement, so the project was reframed as an internal catalyst for dialogue rather than a public campaign.
The reimagined film launched at a global internal D&I event, introduced by the CEO to the worldwide workforce. What began as a stalled campaign became a defining internal moment, sparking honest conversations and signaling leadership’s commitment to diversity.

Year
2011
Disciplines
Brand direction, brand strategy
Narrative strategy
Brand identity, expression
Creative direction
Copywriting
Film direction
UI/UX design









Concept & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Concept partners
Paul van Boven, Leon de Jager
Production
Mamvi Studio
Branding (art & copy)
Bob van Boven
Copywriting and proofreading
Mario Possen
Webdesign and development
Bob van Boven
NOTHING (Experience film)
Concept, writing, and direction
Bob van Boven
Screenplay assistants
Mario Possen, Remy Kooi
Starring
Richard de Maaré, Laurien Verstraten
Cinematography
Jessica Sessinou, Rob Truijen, Remy Kooi
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Music
F.O.O.L
PRESIIDENTS was developed as a bold experiment — part live show, part narrative, part social experience. We used the then-emerging technology of social media to build a story world around the act, creating hype, selling out venues, and even securing a headline slot at Castle of Love 2011 festival.
Though the act itself was “Never Meant To Succeed”, PRESIIDENTS became a prototype of the future—a glimpse of what was possible. And perhaps, one day, it may return not as an act, but as a concept ready to be rewritten.
I led the creative direction, brand & narrative strategy, and film/visual direction, shaping PRESIIDENTS into a cohesive narrative-driven, immersive experience. Every element was designed as a proof of concept: demonstrating that storytelling, when integrated with music and visuals, could transform not just the stage but the entire audience journey.

Year
2011
Disciplines
Brand direction and strategy
Narrative strategy
Brand identity, design, and expression
Creative direction
Copywriting
Film direction
UI/UX design




Creative direction
Bob van Boven
Creative partner
Jessica Sessinou
Branding (art & copy)
Bob van Boven
Branding (illustration)
Jessica Sessinou
Webdesign and development
Bob van Boven
Thanks
Mario Possen, Rob Truijen
Contact (Showreel 2014)
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Music
Daft Punk
Mamvi was set up as a lean but ambitious creative studio, built on collaboration and experimentation. Its structure made it possible to take on a wide range of projects (from global brands to cultural festivals) while always keeping creative storytelling at the core.
As Mamvi’s founder and creative director, I shaped the studio’s vision and led its projects across fashion, music, and culture. In just a few years, Mamvi established itself through work for clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, adidas, and leading music festivals—proving how a small, independent studio could deliver strategically sharp, high-quality work while staying agile.
More than its portfolio, Mamvi’s true legacy was laying the foundation for the creative principles that continue to guide my work today: clarity of vision, originality of language, and the courage to build outside the expected.

Year
2018
Disciplines
Creative direction
Communication strategy
Concept design
Film & motion direction








Concept, creative direction
Bob van Boven
Project lead
Steve Fogarty
Head of production
Nadjim Tsouli
Director of photography
Nanko Goeting
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Music
Ruud de Groot
I developed the concept and led the creative direction, using negative space and black backgrounds to create a minimal, timeless visual language that kept Natalie at the center of every frame. Motion sequences were placed between interviews to support narrative rhythm, avoiding typical b-roll. While the live-action direction was handled by an external collaborator, I maintained oversight across all elements, including the direction of an original soundtrack to deepen the film’s emotional resonance.
The film offered a clear and compelling portrait of Natalie’s two-year journey at adidas, capturing her growth, challenges, and achievements in a personal yet universally relatable way. Its minimal, timeless style and original soundtrack made it a distinctive internal communications piece and set a precedent for future employee storytelling that values authenticity and narrative impact over spectacle.

Year
2012—2015
Disciplines
Creative direction
Concept design
Film direction




Concepts, creative direction
Bob van Boven, Rob Truijen
Production
Mamvi, Bureau Caramel
Tommy Hilfiger
Scott Polzen
Photography (film & still)
Bob van Boven, Rob Truijen
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Photo retouching
Rob Truijen
Working through a close partnership between Mamvi and Bureau Caramel, we built a lean but highly adaptive creative model. This setup allowed us to move quickly from concept to execution while safeguarding premium quality and a strong visual identity. Across both brands, we developed cinematic concepts that balanced minimalism, rawness, and a timeless sense of style. By combining bold creative direction with an agile production process, the campaigns were designed to reflect PVH’s global prestige while staying responsive to immediate production needs.
Between 2012 and 2015, the projects demonstrated how a flexible creative partnership could achieve speed without sacrificing quality, reinforcing PVH’s position as a global fashion leader.
Tommy Hilfiger Tailored
Tommy Hilfiger wanted to launch its new Tailored collection with a bold film campaign. The challenge was immediate: the collection itself was not yet ready, leaving only fabrics to work with during production.
In collaboration with Bureau Caramel, I co-directed a concept that transformed this limitation into a creative opportunity. By focusing on the textures, movement, and craftsmanship of the fabrics, the film evoked the elegance and precision of the upcoming collection without showing a single finished suit.
The 2012 campaign became the first step in a long-term partnership with Tommy Hilfiger. It demonstrated how a constraint could be turned into a defining creative asset, establishing a distinct visual language that would carry into future collaborations.
Calvin Klein Accessories
In collaboration with Rob Truijen (Bureau Caramel), I co-directed a studio-based concept that placed the bags in a stark black space, floating in the void. Dynamic lighting revealed their form; at times isolating small accents, at other times illuminating the full silhouette. This stripped-back approach emphasized the bags as sculptural icons, aligning with Calvin Klein’s minimal yet raw aesthetic.
The film captured the minimal, premium DNA of the brand while adding a raw contemporary edge—delivered from concept to final product within just seven days.

Year
2019
Disciplines
Narrative strategy
Creative direction
Comms strategy
Copywriting
Film & photo direction
















Narrative strategy & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Associate direction (art)
Sandra Blank
Project lead
Kerri Arman
Brand consultant
Kaddie Casey
Corporate consultant
Simone Ledzian
Digital campaign activation
André Reyes
TMRRW (campaign video)
Concept, writing, and direction
Bob van Boven
Head of production
Nadjim Tsouli
Director of photography
Steven van der Vorm
Light department
Christian Hupfer, Buddy’s Light Rental
Still photography
Sandra Blank
Film editing
Bob van Boven
Music
Ruud de Groot
In close collaboration with global cross-functional teams, I led the creative direction, concept design, and overarching strategy. The work centered on a single belief: connecting creators through the language of sport. From this foundation, I shaped a strategic roadmap blending creativity with digital activation, building a campaign that functioned as a mindset and actionable north star rather than a simple slogan.
Although the campaign was never released due to the pandemic, it delivered a ready-to-launch global concept, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, and provided adidas with a compelling platform to express its refreshed purpose.

Year
2018
Disciplines
Creative direction
Comms strategy
Concept design
Film & photography










Communications concept & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Project lead, owner
Yonel Ilieva
Graphics and website design
Katia Stephanou
Campaign video
Concept, direction, editing
Bob van Boven
Production
adidas Employer Brand Creative Studio
Copy & VO
Shaba Mohseni
Director of photography (video/still)
Bob van Boven
Hyperlapse photography HZO
Frank Emous
Additional videography AMS
Mario Possen
Music
Ruud de Groot
In 2018, adidas wanted to look beyond traditional R&D and directly engage Europe’s brightest talents in shaping the future of retail. The Hackathon Series, spanning five cities—including Sofia, Madrid, and Amsterdam—set out to answer one core question: how can technology, from machine learning to generative design, redefine shopping, personalization, and product creation? The challenge wasn’t only about code, but about framing these events as part of adidas’ larger ambition to co-create its digital future.
Through films and creative storytelling, the Hackathon Series was positioned as a fast-moving journey of innovation. From the raw energy of local events to the high-stakes finals at adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach, the narrative captured both the technical ambition and the human collaboration behind it. Teams developed prototypes at lightning speed—ranging from machine learning–powered shopping personalization to GAN-driven tools that designed custom product styles—while adidas provided the stage, mentorship, and platform for these ideas to emerge.
The campaign transformed the Hackathon Series into more than a coding contest: it became a story of adidas as an innovation partner and platform. By documenting the journey from local challenges to the global stage, the films and assets gave adidas a powerful tool to showcase its culture of experimentation and digital leadership—inside the company and to the broader tech and retail world.

Year
2021
Disciplines
Creative direction
Narrative strategy
Concept design
Film & motion direction






Narrative strategy & creative direction
Bob van Boven
Campaign video
Concept, direction, editing
Bob van Boven
Production
Gedankentanken Pictures
Copy
Bülent Aktas, Bob van Boven
Archive footage
Marcel Aniol, Bülent Aktas
Motion design and direction
Carmen Diaz de la Rosa
VO
Stefan Frädrich
Music
Ryan Taubert
Beyond doubt, Stefan Frädrich belongs to the best keynote speakers of the DACH region. As an entrepreneur, he played an essential role in building the speaking industry as we know it today—and tomorrow.
As Greator’s Creative Director Film & Motion, I led the creative direction, copywriting, and film & motion strategy, shaping a narrative that highlighted Stefan Frädrich’s pioneering role, while always keeping an eye on the brand’s future. Every frame, line of copy, and motion element was designed to balance authenticity and authority, positioning Gedankentanken as a thought leader (rather than promoting a single event).
The campaign gave Gedankentanken a bold, modernized voice that resonated with internal and external audiences. It positioned Stefan Frädrich as founder and visionary while giving the brand a clear identity beyond him. The film became a key narrative asset for the Gedankentanken re-launch, reinforcing the brand’s role as a leading platform for ideas and dialogue.

Year
2020
Disciplines
Creative direction
Concept design
Motion identity
Film direction
Immersive experience



Creative direction
Bob van Boven
Creative lead Greator
Gary Payn
Motion identity
Concept, (art) direction
Bob van Boven
Motion design
Nick Smith, Carmen Diaz de la Rosa
GFO2020/21 trailers
Concept, direction, editing
Bob van Boven
Production
Gedankentanken Pictures
Copy
Bülent Aktas
Archive footage
Marcel Aniol, Bülent Aktas
VO
Stefan Frädrich
The Key (GFO20 documentary)
Concept, direction, editing
Bob van Boven
Production
Gedankentanken Pictures
Director of photography
Jens Ufer
Music
Musicbed
My team contributed to everything from concept to execution: leading the development of the festivals’ visual motion identity, the creative and technical direction of the two in-house studios, and briefing the live-broadcast direction of the event.
Together with the Greator Brand team, we built a cohesive visual and narrative framework spanning digital content, social assets, and motion graphics. The 2020 edition culminated in The Key, a short documentary capturing the festival’s essence, while the 2021 edition reused and refreshed content to deliver a complete motion package in just two weeks.
GFO 2020 attracted a global audience and set a new standard for large-scale virtual events in self-development. The 2021 edition demonstrated that adaptive creative strategies can deliver impact quickly without sacrificing quality, turning a single event into a durable brand asset.

Year
2019–2020
Disciplines
Creative direction
Narrative strategy
Concept design
Film & motion direction
Photography










Creative direction
Bob van Boven
Project leads
Bruce Dudley, Laura Ruprecht
Case study film
Concept, direction, design and editing
Bob van Boven
Production
adidas Employer Brand Creative Studio
Director of photography (video/still)
Bob van Boven
Music
Musicbed
As the brands Global Lead Employer Brand Film & Experience, I accompanied the GHIPO participants throughout their immersive journey across Shanghai, Los Angeles, Arizona, London, and Herzogenaurach. With input from my broader team, I led the development of a cohesive story blending film, photography, and design to showcase the professional and personal growth participants experienced. Deliverables included instructional videos, portrait photography, presentation recordings, and audio podcasts, each highlighting the program’s transformative impact.
The GEN1 story culminated in a case study film featuring participants reflecting on their journey and leadership development. It provided a clear, inspiring narrative that reinforced the program’s strategic value, secured buy-in for future cohorts, and set a high standard for GEN2 communications.
New Creativity (coming soon)
Zero Emissions World (coming soon)