Brian Elliott, a veteran of international advertising, last met the pitch consultansts at Ad Forum in 2007, when the European Summit was hosted in Amsterdam. Now three years later, much has changed.

Amsterdam Worldwide was founded by Brian in 2008, after he and his co-founder of Strawberry Frog went their separate ways. Brian retained SF’s clients and the Board. From this he founded the new agency, which he runs, as CEO, with partner and Executive Creative Director, Richard Gorodecky.

“Our business is to build our clients’ brands”, said Brian, from the top of the Turning Torso building, in Malmo, Sweden. “We work internationally, to build brands across borders.”

Amsterdam Worldwide believes that the recent perfect storm and resulting financial crisis opens up opportunities so “we can do what we love best. This is the best time to be in this business – but it’s tough for anyone advising companies from the outside. Clients are looking for efficiency, accountability – and results. We offer creativity that works. The work speaks for us.”

Ideas without borders, from Brian Elliott, Founder and CEO, Amsterdam Worldwide

The agency is a firm believer in Ideas Without Borders. This drives results – because an idea is more powerful than a border.  In this way, Amsterdam Worldwide says, it is possible to take small local brands into the world and make them famous, make them grow. Nicolette Lazarus, Business Development Director: “Ideas pass cultural, linguistic, organisational and cultural borders. That’s what we’ve built our business around. And it’s built ceativity that actually works. This liberates brands to grow.”

Indeed, every quarter since the end of 2008 has seen Amsterdam Worldwide win a substantial new client. This includes Intel and Ararat.

And what do the consumers think – the clients of the agency’s clients? In response to Amsterdam Worlwide’s award-winning work for ASICS, one blogger called the campaign “motherfucking joycore!” Which pretty much speaks for itself. Otherwise known as creative craftsmanship for the digital age.