About Brandtag
Online since 1995.
Communicating since whenever.
Frédéric De Vries - photo by Bob Janssens
If I want to tell about Brandtag, I need to tell you about Frédéric De Vries - that's me. Bear with me.
Let's start with a confession. I am a failed journalist at heart. When I chose to study Communication Management, I wanted to become a news reporter. Next to that, I was also really hooked to the PC we had just bought at home. One thing led to another, and soon I found myself building the websites for a magazine I wrote for in 1995. The following year, I built the website for the university as my graduation project and job offers rolled in.
I became a fulltime internet pioneer in Belgium in 1996, designing and coding websites for web agencies, such as The Reference.
Over the years, evolving from webdesigner to online Art Director, it started to bother me that I was never involved with the content of the websites I was making. That's when I started to look at the ones who often commissioned the websites: marketing or advertising agencies.
I went over to the dark side of advertising in 2006 and worked for agencies such as These Days, BBDO, and Duval Guillaume. I held different positions - from Strategist to Creative Director or Head of Digital. Regardless of the title I feel I bring the most added value to the table on the crossroads between creation, strategy and digital. That is also exactly where Brandtag wants to be.
Is Brandtag a one-man operation?
Good Question! Yes and no.
Yes, I only have myself on the payroll.
No, I don't do everything myself.
Over the years, I've met a lot of talented people. I've stayed in touch with the nice ones and we occasionally work together.
Prefered Partners
Webwave - webdesign
Jef Boes - photography
Niko Caignie - photography
Willems Peeters - brand and creative design
Kopstoot - concept providers
Testimonials
The proof of the pudding lies in the eating
“Frédéric has got the spirit of the true Samurai Warrior. He is loyal, honorable, sharp as a blade and always willing to fight for the right cause. […] But before all other things, he fights to succeed. After two years of fighting no award stage was left unconquered : Cannes, Caples, Eurobest, NY festival, Kinsale, London International and all domestic wannabes. […] Hire him and let his actions speak for themselves. You will not be disappointed. And that is a firm promise.”
— Gert Pauwels,
Managing Director Accenture Interactive
“Fré is an endangered species: he combines a thorough and very up to date technical background with a strong strategic and creative insight: he understands client’s needs and is able to translate them into original and efficient campaigns. And what’s more: thanks to his passion, he manages to keep ‘the idea’ alive during it’s execution. And every one of you who ever tried to create a groundbreaking through-the-line ad campaign knows how hard that is. Last but not least: Fré is a warm, honest, modest and loyal man. We fought many battles, side-by-side, and I trust him blindly.”
— Vincent Daenen
Creative Director at Content Republic
“Pleasant personality, good work, what more can you desire ? Proof: one of those people you always stay in touch with, even after all these years.”
— John Deprez
Managing Partner Springbok Agency
“Frédéric was the creative director on some of the projects I managed. It was a pleasure working with him both on a professional as on a human basis. I could always rely on Frédéric's creative judgement and his convincing presentation skills made me confident about the outcome of a concept presentation to the client. If you are looking for an easy-going but self assured personality with excellent knowledge of advertising tendencies, he's your guy.”
— Tony Peetermans
Head of Marketing at Arval BNP Paribas Group
“As a developer, it's a true pleasure to work with Frédéric; his knowlegde regarding usability and new web standards really improves the creation process of new web projects. Clients as well as co-workers appreciate his vision and advise regarding user experiences.”