Christian Bircher, Creative Director, Art Director, Copywriter
It is funny: 95% of visitors to my website only look at my CV and not at my work. I didn‘t get an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records or win Cannes Lions, nor was I voted Boutique Agency of the Year in NY because of my creative CV, but because of my work. ;-)
However.
I started my career at a small boutique agency in Switzerland that had won a 200-million-euro budget from Mercedes to launch Smart in eight European countries. After that, I worked with several network agencies - Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Lowe, Publicis, and others - where I continued to broaden my skills and experiences.
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.
The best period of my career so far has been the last six years. After spending seven years at Leo Burnett, I decided I needed a change. I returned to freelancing and got a role in China, working for Huawei at Ogilvy Shenzhen. Later, I went back to Switzerland and joined a small PR agency to help build its advertising department. We pitched against some network agencies, and won almost every pitch - after just 19 months, the agency won 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. Seeking my next source of inspiration, I supported a start-up with every aspect of its communication. Once that project wrapped up, I returned to freelancing. Currently, I’m enjoying my work at Foundry in Zurich and Berlin, collaborating with a truly international team from all over the world.
Even though I’ve been fortunate enough to have my work recognized at major award shows like Cannes Lions, the Clios, and D&AD - and even featured beyond industry circles, from the Guinness Book of World Records to the Poster Museum in New York, as well as in the press of various countries where I’ve worked - you’re ultimately 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