Julián Guarín Barkach //
Creative Chief Officer

Dad | Creative Copywriter | Grouchomarxist | Romcommunist | Fintech’s Co-founder | Dinosaur Rider | Creativity Coach

Yeah! 

This is me! 

Riding a T-Rex, trying too hard.

Well, see, 

I believe that is all about trying, writing, reading, rewriting, doodling, sketching, inspiring, leading, directing, failing, getting back up, motivating creative teams and clients to solve problems through ideas, and succeed. (Repeat)

Trying is not the opposite of winning; it's a phase of this infinite game. 

That's why trying to make things happen is my constant concern. That's why, even when nobody thought it was possible, with my teams, we did it:


We started a fintech company. We tackled the challenges of the Copa America during the pandemic that turned into Messi's historic first win with Argentina. We exported Colombian chontaduo to China to aid in the fight against illegal animal trade, providing potent and eco-friendly aphrodisiacs to the market.

We also sold breast milk. we crossed donations across borders to assist Venezuelans in need. Even sold the highest skyscraper in Colombia to a crowd, won awards with flashlights, and innovatively combined bacon with a video game.

We have done ads for medical check-ups, health technology, and internet plans to a variety of alcoholic beverages including rums, whiskies, beers, and malts. Also sodas, spirits, loyalty programs, miles, and emergency services, along with peace products, pizzas, sandwiches, fast-food chains, tomato sauce, ketchup, school education programs, books, public libraries, district libraries, medical cannabis industry and offered digital security services, collaborated with reinsurance and insurance companies, and detergents.

Yet, our journey was not without its political intrigue. We aligned ourselves with political parties, supported leaders and the first Colombian Nobel Peace Prize winner, and collaborated with NGOs, all while managing the advertising for hotels and facilitating the distribution of essential goods like cell phones, feminine hygiene products, and kitchen towels.

Through it all, we remained steadfast in our commitment to innovation and the pursuit of good ideas, leaving an indelible mark on every team I collaborated with.

A robot wrote this based on my actual Resumé:

My career path has traversed leadership roles in esteemed companies such as Commonwealth McCann, Approbe, MullenLowe SSP3, VMLY&R Commerce, and others. I know that I’ve made a lasting impact in my teams by turning concepts into realities, and consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

“Be Curious, not Judgemental” 

Walt Whitman

  • here’s a list:

    COMMONWEALTH MCCANN / Creative Director

    Driving creativity together for General Motors, with no divas.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From March 29th, 2023, up to this precise moment)

    APPROBE / Creative Director

    A fintech to help Colombians help financially other Colombians.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From November 4th, 2021, up to this precise moment)

    ICESI UNIVERSITY / Creative Content professor

    Teaching entrepreneurs about the truth behind today’s storytelling.

    Cali, Colombia

    (From May 16th, 2022, up to this precise moment)

    MULLENLOWE SSP3 / Group Creative Director

    Working with hunger for AB InBev portfolio of Non-Alcoholic Beverages.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From February 16th, 2022, up to the March 1st, 2023)

    LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS / Creative LIAssons Coach

    A chance to coach award-winning creatives from all over the world.

    London, United Kingdom

    (From February 16th, 2021, up to the November 1st, 2022)

    VMLY&R COMMERCE COLOMBIA / Executive Creative Director

    Making an ad agency survive though a Pandemia while creating the Copa America that Messi won.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From September 1st, 2020, to February 4th, 2022)

    GEOMETRY COLOMBIA + MIDDLE AMERICAS / Creative Director

    Five years of creative milestones and making impossible ideas, possible.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From May 15th, 2015, to August 30th, 2020)

    DLBGROUP COLOMBIA / Creative Director

    Learning how to manage well a creative agency without cursing too much.

    Bogotá, Colombia

    (From January 24th, 2011, to May 15th, 2015)

    ARS DDB VENEZUELA / Creative Director

    Shining for an impossible country in Award Festivals.

    Caracas, Venezuela

    (January 11th, 2010, to December 16th, 2010)

    LEO BURNETT VENEZUELA / Creative Copywriter

    The explanation of “my green blood” and my passion for humankind ideas.

    Caracas, Venezuela

    (March 26th, 2006, to December 12th, 2010)

  • Yes, and ready to rumble.

  • Creative Festivals are lighthouses.

    95% of advertising seems like a ship adrift in the middle of a perfect storm, creative festival winners are meant to be lighthouses and guide the industry. If you ask me, How do I balance creativity with business objectives? My answer would always be through ideas.

  • Ah, the "McGuffin"!

    It's that elusive element in stories, the thing everyone's chasing but sometimes doesn't matter much, like a Cannes Lion.

    Think as well as the Lost Arc in an Indiana Jones movie, the ring in The Lord of The Rings, the Philosopher’s Stone in Harry Potter, or the shinning briefcase in Pulp Fiction—it's the driving force that keeps the plot moving forward, even if its actual nature or contents might not be the story's central point, but it transforms the main character.

  • Yes, thank you for asking.

    ● 2023: Gold in IABMIXX (Bogotá, Colombia) with Pony Gaming in Community Building.

    ● 2023: Bronze in IABMIXX (Bogotá, Colombia) with Malta Leona in Brand Building.


    ● 2023: Pending at GLOBAL BEST OF THE BEST EFFIE AWARDS (New York, USA) with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2023 Bronze at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO PR with Pencils for Change for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2023: Shortlist at EFFIE LATAM AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) with Business on wheels for N400 General Motors.

    ● 2023 Shortlist at ART DIRECTORS CLUB (New York, USA) with Girls Define Girl for Pony Malta in Illustration Book - Single

    ● 2023 Shortlist at ART DIRECTORS CLUB (New York, USA) with Girls Define Girl for Pony Malta in Design for Good - Publication Design

    ● 2023 Shortlist at ART DIRECTORS CLUB (New York, USA) with Girls Define Girl for Pony Malta in Design for Good - Brand / Communication Design - Single

    ● 2023 Shortlist at THE ONE SHOW (New York, USA) with Girls Define Girl for Pony Malta in Design - DE_06: Editorial - Books

    ● 2023 Shortlist at THE ONE SHOW (New York, USA) with Girls Define Girl for Pony Malta in Print & Promotional - PT_08: Booklets / Books / Brochures

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EFFIE LATAM AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: WINNER at SharkTank (Bogotá, Colombia) with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: SILVER at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO GRÁFICA with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: SILVER at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO PRODUCCIÓN GRÁFICA with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO CONTENIDO with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO SUSTENTABLE with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO DESIGN with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: SHORTLIST at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in EL OJO DIRECTO with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: SILVER at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in DESIGN with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in GLASS with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)2022: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in DIRECT with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in SOCIAL INFLUENCER with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: SILVER at GERETY AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) in Work For Good Cut with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: GOLD at EFFIE AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) in Bajo Presupuesto with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: GOLD at EFFIE AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) in Cuidado de Mascotas with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: SILVER at EFFIE AWARDS (Bogotá, Colombia) in Marketing Innovation Solutions with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: SHORTLIST at CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) in CREATIVE B2B with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: SHORTLIST at CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) in DESIGN in Illustrations with Girls Define Girls for Pony Malta (AB InBev)

    ● 2022: SHORTLIST at CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) in HEALTH & WELLNESS Animal Health with Pet Interns for Rescue Me Foundation

    ● 2022: London International Awards. Creative LIAisons Coach

    ● 2021: D&AD Portfolio Reviews Mentor - D&AD New Blood Festival

    ● 2021: London International Awards. Creative LIAisons Coach

    ● 2020: Creative Jury of El Ojo Experiencia de Marca & Activación at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

    ● 2020: Gold in IABMIXX (Bogotá, Colombia) with The Eternal Ticket for CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2020.

    ● 2019: Best Digital Campaign in Best10 P&M (Bogotá, Colombia) with Did You Mean? For Tecate.

    ● 2019: Crème de la Crème at WPPed CREAM AWARDS - HIGHLY COMMENDED in DIRECT, NOT FOR PROFIT with The Good Drug Trafficking for Fundación Colibrí.

    ● 2019: GOLD in EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in SUSTAINABLE, SOCIAL EYE with The Good Drug Trafficking for Fundación Colibrí

    ● 2019: SHORTLIST in CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) HEALTH & WELLNESS Health Awareness & advocacy. Non-profit / Foundation-led Education & Awareness with The Good Drug Trafficking for Fundación Colibrí

    ● 2018: BRONZE in EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in Sustainable Development with Flora For Fauna for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● • 2018: BRONZE in EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in Creative e-Commerce with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2018: Crème de la Crème in WPPed CREAM AWARDS - WPP Best Campaign Health & Wellness - Non-Profit-Traditional with Flora For Fauna for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● 2018: SILVER in LATAM EFFIE AWARDS (Cartagena de Indias, Colombia) in Youth Marketing with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2018: GOLD in WAVE FESTIVAL (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in Social Influencer & Content Marketing with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2018: SILVER in WAVE FESTIVAL (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in Social Insight & Engagement with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2018: SILVER in WAVE FESTIVAL (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in Social & Influencer: Telecommunication Sectors with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2018: BRONZE in EFFIE COLOMBIA (Bogotá, Colombia) in Use of Social Networks with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2017: SILVER in EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) in Promo & Activations / Events and Sponsorships with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2017: SHORTLIST in CLIO HEALTH (New York, USA) in Brand Partnerships & Collaborations (Health & Wellness) with Flora for Fauna, for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● 2017: SHORTLIST in CLIO HEALTH (New York, USA) in Corporate Identity (Health & Wellness) with Flora for Fauna, for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● 2017: SILVER in EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in Content with Banco de Views for Claro Colombia.

    ● 2017: SILVER in EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in Efficiency with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: BLUE in PMAA Dragons of Asia 2017 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) in Best Campaign in Hong Kong with Flora for Fauna, for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● 2017: SILVER in PMAA Dragons of Asia 2017 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) in Best Campaigns in Best Innovative Idea or Concept with Flora for Fauna, for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

    ● 2017: SILVER in EFFIE LATAM Awards (Cartagena, Colombia) in Healthcare with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: BRONZE in EFFIE LATAM Awards (Cartagena, Colombia) in the David vs Goliath category with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: SHORTLIST at CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) MEDIA Excellence in Media Insights & Strategy with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: GOLD at EFFIE Awards (Bogotá, Colombia) in Activations – Product with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: BRONZE at EFFIE Awards (Bogotá, Colombia) in Great Idea and Innovation in Media with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: STEEL PENCIL at Lápiz de Acero 2017 (Bogotá, Colombia) APP Digital Area / Applications with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: SILVER at IAB MIXX Awards 2017 (Bogotá, Colombia) in Mobile Platforms with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2017: SILVER at IAB MIXX Awards 2017 (Bogotá, Colombia) in Brand Building with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2016: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in Mobile Advertising with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2016: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in Applications with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2016: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) in Content with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2016: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) MOBILE with Sex Guardian for DUO Condoms.

    ● 2013: BRONZE at EL DORADO (Bogotá, Colombia) DIRECT with 265 Excuses to Read a Book for National Network of Public Libraries

    ● 2012: GOLD / SILVER / BRONZE at FIP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PROMO with The Biggest Car Dealer in Google Mals for Audi

    ● 2011: GOLD at FIP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PROMO with Heart of the City for SEAT

    ● 2011: SHORTLIST at EL SOL (San Sebastián, Spain) PROMO with Materna for UNICEF 2011: SILVER at FIAP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PROMO with Materna for UNICEF

    ● 2011: BRONZE at FIAP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) DESIGN with Materna for UNICEF

    ● 2011: BRONZE at FIAP (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PRINT with Materna for UNICEF

    ● 2010: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PRINT with Deer and Bulb for Energizer’s Flashlights.

    ● 2010: GOLD - LOCAL EYE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PRINT with Deer and Bulb for Energizer’s Flashlights.

    ● 2010: SILVER - CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) in the Young Lions Cyber Competition with “Help” for Channel 16.org.

    ● 2010: NATIONAL DIPLOMA - CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) PRINT with Deer and Bulb for Energizer’s Flashlights.

    ● 2010: NATIONAL DIPLOMA - CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) OUTDOOR

    ● 2010: BRONZE - CANNES LIONS (Cannes, France) OUTDOOR with Deer and Bulb for Energizer’s Flashlights.

    ● 2010: SILVER at WAVE FESTIVAL (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) PRINT with Deer and Bulb for Energizer’s Flashlights.

    ● 2010: SILVER at CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL (Panama City, Panama) TV with “Cry of Rights” for Amnesty International

    ● 2010: BRONZE at CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL (Panama City, Panama) PRINT with “Cry of Rights” for Amnesty International

    ● 2010: UNICEF "Footprints" Award - BEST INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN 2010 by UNICEF with Materna for UNICEF

    ● 2010: GP Film - Anda Venezuela Awards 2010, 7 gold, 2 silver, 9 bronze with Materna for UNICEF

    ● 2009: GOLD OJO LOCAL at El OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) RADIO with Famous Voices for Heinz

    ● 2009: BRONZE at EL OJO DE IBEROAMÉRICA (Buenos Aires, Argentina) PRINT with More Degrees of Strength for Smirnoff Ice Black.

  • No, I don’t. Who told you that?

    In fact, I've been writing about Ai since 2010 in my blog The Art Of Hating Robots, and I even have a short tale about a robot programmed to feel hunger.

  • How do I handle conflicts or disagreements within a creative team? Easy,

    Have you seen Ted Lasso?

    Imagine Ted Lasso’s pre-game pep-talk that highlights the greatest tropes of romantic comedies, he reminds his team that has yet to win a match in their season that “If all those attractive people, with their amazing apartments and interesting jobs—usually in some creative field—can go through some lighthearted struggles and still end up happy, then so can we.

    Then so can we.

  • "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."

    I’m a "Grouchmarxist", don’t look it up, the term doesn’t exist but is someone who combines the cynical and the comedic attitude of Groucho Marx, the comedian, not the other one.

  • I lead with respect, respect for the team, respect for their ideas, for their time, for their emotions.

    Have you read Carlo Ancelotti’s book titled "Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches"? Neither did I, but I believe in his coaching philosophy, it is very similar to mine, hire talent and then lead them, not micromanage them. Working with friends is much better than working with employees.

    #Believe