Title: President and Chief Creative Officer, Alma DDB, Miami, USA
Seventeen years ago, when advertising for U.S. Hispanics was simply added value in a business plan, Luis Miguel had the foresight to target the untapped Hispanic market. Today that idea has become a reality that yields tangible results.His pioneer spirit, passion, and creativity have placed him at the helm of Alma, which in January of 2010, was hailed by Advertising Age as one of the top 10 agencies in the nation in their annual and prestigious report: “Ad Age Agency A-List.” In April of that same year, Luis Miguel was inducted in FIAP’s Hall of Fame, one of the most significant recognitions in the Hispanic advertising industry.
During 2009, he was selected Jury President of the Art Directors Club Awards; it was the first time a Hispanic ever held that position. In addition, he was named “Most Influential Leader in U.S. Hispanic Advertising” over the last 20 years.
Born to Romanian parents and raised in Mexico City where his advertising career started more than 25 years ago, Luis Miguel has worked in both Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets. He has collaborated as creative director at agencies such as Scali McCabe, Sloves; McCann-Erickson; Mendoza-Dillon (Newport Beach, California); GSD&M (Austin, Texas); and Lintas. In 1994 he founded del Rivero Messianu, which would become Alma in 2007.
Luis Miguel has been instrumental in a wide-range of campaigns in diverse categories. He has worked with McDonald’s, State Farm, Clorox, Wal-Mart, Unilever, RJ Reynold's, Levi's, General Foods, General Motors, Coca-Cola, and L'Oreal among others.
Throughout his career, he has been honored with prominent awards, appointed as lecturer, and served as judge at festivals such as the Clios, International Andys, Effies, the Best of Advertising Age, Beldings, Mercury, Tops, Addys, New York Festival, AICP, Clarin (Argentina), Pregonero (Costa Rica), Jade (Guatemala), Cúspide (Puerto Rico), El Sol (San Sebastián, Spain), International Emmy Awards, El Ojo de Iberomérica, and at FIAP, where he was the first judge to represent two different countries. Named “Creative Director of the Year” for four consecutive quarters by the video magazine Latin Spots. Awarded first place for “Creative Director of the Year” by his colleagues in a competition organized by HispanicAd; and just recently honored once again by his peers this time with the 2011 HispanicAd "Agency Executive of The Year", making him the only person to receive both awards.
Furthermore, he was the first to receive the “President’s Award” on behalf of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA). Notably, Luis Miguel established the Círculo Creativo del Mercado Latino 11 years ago, and became their first President elect. He is also on the board of directors at the Miami Ad School, and has been a member of their faculty.
In his free time he enjoys cycling, digital photography, independent films and all kinds of music.
