Christian Bircher, Creative Director, Art Director, Copywriter
My curiosity led me to work in cities like Vienna (where I learned what “Schmäh” means), Kuala Lumpur (where I learned what gawai dayak is), Shenzhen (where I ate chicken feet for the first time), and back to Zurich. Over time, I realized how each place has its own creative energy and how important it is to keep exploring new environments.
I created campaigns for OMV, a gas and oil corporation, at DMB, for Raiffeisen Bank at Ogilvy, and produced TVCs for Knorr airing in six countries at Lowe - and last but not least, I joined a startup as a hands-on creative and helped and helped triple the company’s revenue in its second year by building a brand people actually cared about. I led teams, developed concepts, and oversaw shootings from New Zealand to Tunis, from Wall Street to the Andes of Argentina.
At a small PR agency, CR-K, I breathed life into their advertising department. We pitched against network agencies and were able to convince both clients and award juries with real work. Within just 20 months, the agency earned its first Cannes Lion, reached the top of the Swiss creative rankings, and was named “Boutique Agency of the Year” by the ADC New York. These times were one of the most exciting ones.
Even though I’ve been fortunate enough to have my work recognized at major award shows, featured in the Poster Museum in New York, and covered by the press in several countries... I still find myself staring at a blank page, wondering what the hell to do next. In the end, you’re only as good as the next piece of work you create.
Christianbircher@protonmail.com
2025 - now
Creative Director, foundry/zurich/berlin/new york
2023 - 2024
Freelance Creative Director
2022 -2023
Creative Director, dropz.com
Taking a start-up to the next level. Hands-on work. Market research, rebranding, graphic design, illustration, social media, film, photo, animation, product testing, talking to potential investors, etc.
2021 - 2022
Freelance Creative Director
2019 - 2021
Creative Director, CR-K Basel
Team leader for 2 Art Directors, 1 Copywriter, 2 Graphic Designers
Clients: Swiss Government, Swiss Energy, Pro Infirmis, EIT.swiss, Bauernverband
2018 - 2019
Freelance Creative Director, Ogilvy Shenzen/Hong Kong, Astronaut, Beijing, Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur
Clients: Huawei, Petronas, Amazon
2012 - 2018
Creative Director, Leo Burnett Switzerland
Team leader for 6 Art Directors, 3 Copywriters
Clients: Samsung, Volvo, Swiss Post, Emmentaler Cheese,
Localsearch, Tchibo
2008 - 2012
Freelance CD Art, Ogilvy Vienna, Lowe Vienna, Contexta Bern
Clients: Ford, Raiffeisen Bank, Austrian Lottery,
Knorr Unilever, Appenzeller Cheese, Gewista
2005 - 2007
Art Director, Senior Art, Director Demner, Merlicek, Bergmann, Vienna Team leader for 2 Graphic Designers, 2 Copywriters, 2 Trainees
Clients: OMV International Gas and Oil Corporation,
Vienna Insurance, KIA, Meinl Coffee, Immofinanz
Awards are great, but you're only as good as your next piece of work.
International Awards:
1 Shortlist One Show 2024
1 Merit One Show 2022
1 Gold Epica 2021
1 Silver ADC Europ 2021
1 Bronze ADC Europe 2021
2 Shortlist Eurobest 2021
3(+1) Gold LIA 2021
1 Silver LIA 2021
2 Bronze LIA 2021
1 Gold Cresta Award 2021
1 Bronze Cannes Lions 2021
3 Shortlist Cannes Lions 2021
1 Bronze New York Festival 2021
1 Shortlist New York Festival 2021
ADC NY Boutique Agency of the Year 2021
1 Graphite Pencil D&AD 2021
1 Gold ADC NY 2021
1 Bronze ADC NY 2021
2 Merit One Show 2021
1 Clio Silver 2020
2 Clio Bronze 2020
1 Clio Shortlist 2020
1 Epica Gold 2016
1 ADC Europe Nominee 2015
2 Epica Gold 2015
10 Cannes Lions Shortlist 2014
1 Facebook-Studio Award Bronze 2014
1 One Show Merit 2014
3 New York Festival Third Prize 2014
1 Cannes Lions Shortlist 2012
1 Golden Drum Gold 2012
1 Silver Golden Drum 2012
1 Silver Golden Drum 2010
1 Cannes Lion Silver 2010
1 Silver LIA 2010
1 Nomine ADC Europe 2010
1 Gold Eurobest 2010
2 Cannes Lions Shortlist 2008
National Awards:
1 Shortlist EDI 2021
1 Gold ADC Switzerland 2021
1 Silver ADC Switzerland 2021
1 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2021
1 Bronze ADC Germany 2020
1 Bronze ADC Switzerland 2017
3 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2017
1 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2016
2 Bronze ADC Switzerland 2015
3 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2015
5 Bronze ADC Switzerland 2014
3 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2014
2 Silver CCA Austria 2013
1 Bronze ADC Switzerland 2013
2 Shortlist ADC Switzerland 2014
1 Bronze ADC Switzerland 2012
1 Bronze Creative Club Austria 2011
1 Shortlist Creative Club Austria 2011
1 Silver Creative Club Austria 2010
3 Bronze Creative Club Austria 2010
1 Shortlist Creative Club Austria 2010
1 Silver Creative Club Austria 2009
1 Bronze Creative Club Austria 2008
1 Gold Creative Club Austria 2006