DanielSáenz
Daniel Sáenz

My name is Daniel Sáenz. I'm the Creative Technology Director for Coca-Cola Europe at WPP, which means two things: 1) I'm usually the nerdiest person in the room, and 2) I'm in charge of building creative solutions involving emerging technologies or innovative ways of using current ones.

During the past 16 years, I've been able to take some crazy ideas and make them come true, from web-based video games to celebrate the launch of animated TV shows to a filter on online videos to help colorblind soccer fans see their team's colors, from a website that changes depending on the allergens in your area to promote allergy medicine to a gamified proto-metaverse to teach children financial education.

Recently, my focus has been on developing AI-based experiences and implementing the AI plan for the Creative Teams working for Coca-Cola in Europe.

In addition to my role at Coca-Cola, I am also a public speaker on innovation and a teacher directing the GenAI course at Brother School of Creative. Even though I'm originally a psychologist and I came to the advertising world almost by accident, I have worked for clients like Coca-Cola, Johnny Walker, Fiat, Bayer, Telefonica, Microsoft, Tinder, BAT, and Burger King. Along the way, I have managed to win several awards, including a Golden Cannes Lion. Not too shabby, right?

*That means I make digital ideas come true by combining emerging technology and creative thinking. Pretty neat, right?

*I won't store your name, pinky promise.

01Origin

I'm from Colombia, although I've been working all over the world so I speak fluent english y un español perfecto y bien sabroso.
World Map
World Map

02Experience

2024-today GenAI Course Director Brother School of Creative Spain

2023-today Creative Tech Director for Coca ColaWPP Europe

2019-2023 Creative Tech DirectorVML EMEA

2016-2019 Digital Development & Innovation DirectorYoung & Rubicam Spain

2015-2016 Programmer LeadAwesome Web Marketing EEUU

2013-2015 Creative DirectorYoung & Rubicam Colombia

03Skills

I'm the best when I'm in front of a client, but I'm also known for going far and beyond to make sure my projects are delivered with the best quality possible.

Things I’m great at

Creative thinking

Undestanding tech

Programming

Public speaking

Being nerdy

Getting people hyped

Teamwork

Karaoke

MS Excel

Things I suck at

Telling jokes

Dealing with Power Point

Tolerating Deepak Chopra

Being late

Sports

Call of Duty

04Education

2021 Customer ExperienceForester

2019 Human Center DesignAcumen Academy

2010 Graphic DesignUniversidad Nacional de Colombia

2006 PsychologyUniversidad Nacional de Colombia

2002+ ProgrammingUniversidad de los Andes & others

05Clients

Here you can see the mandatory mosaic of logos that nobody checks. The important thing is that I have experience working for clients in diverse sectors and markets.

06Work

Portals of magic A digital action in which the Special Edition Tomorrowland Coca Cola Can transforms a way to open magic portals to different experiences.

Digital Activations Coca Cola - All BrandsFor the past year, I've been managing all digital and most OOH activations for Coca-Cola Europe. This includes all sorts of games and experiences in the Coca-Cola App and on digital OOH screens.Club Bayer

GenAI Class Brother School of CreativeI direct the GenAI course at Brother, where I teach how to use generative AI tools in a creative setting.Club Bayer

Public Speaking VariousI'm a speaker on innovation and emerging technology subjects. I've done talks and workshops worldwide on topics like AI, Metaverse, or AR.Club Bayer

Club Bayer BayerA metaverse space where pharmacists can find information about Bayer products and participate in events, talks, and games to earn points. Club Bayer

Game is not over Virtual Hero (Movistar+)An interactive game where you use your smartphone as a controller and any computer screen as a display to promote the launch of the animated TV show, Virtual Hero

#VendoOpelCorsa OpelA social media activation based on social listening that took control over the conversation around one of the most topical jokes in spanish culture. Opel Corsa

A Billboard for your Eyes FederópticosA billboard that detected if you had problems reading the copy using face recognition software and showed a promotion accordingly. Billboard

Emoticoke Coca ColaThe first ever web domain using the smile emoji instead of regular characters. Emoticoke

Fifa 14 MicrosoftTo celebrate the first time Fifa 14 showcased colombian teams we replaced the replay shots from a live match with gameplay footage of the exact same play. Fifa 14

Safe Window beIN SportsA football news website disguised as the software you regularly use in your job. We had a selection of 11 different interfaces from email, to spreadsheets, to 3D software. Safe Window

True Colors beIN SportsAn algorithm that processed live video to help color blind people see football games in a better way. True Colors

Live Preroll beIN SportsThe only preroll that showed a live feed of the most important football match in Spain. We created our own media platform to display it on a renowned sports online magazine. Live Preroll

Thank you

I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my journey and the work I've been passionate about. If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to say hello, please feel free to reach out. I'd love to hear from you!

You can contact me via email at hi@danielsaenz.com or daniel.saenz@wpp.com, or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Let's keep the conversation going!