SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – AlmapBBDO, one of Brazil’s largest and most awarded agencies, has announced a significant leadership milestone with the promotion of Marco “Pernil” Giannelli to partner. The agency’s Chief Creative Officer since 2022, Giannelli will also take a seat on the prestigious BBDO Global Creative Board, marking a new chapter in his 17-year career at the firm.
Filipe Bartholomeu, partner, president, and CEO of AlmapBBDO commented on the appointment. “Pernil is one of the finest representatives of empathetic creative leadership, someone who’s deeply committed to the collective. He’s a fount of creativity like no other in the industry, but he also holds himself and others to high standards, isn’t afraid to take risks, and his generosity is truly inspiring. He has helped Almap achieve historic heights, and now, as a partner, he’ll keep on building that legacy with an eye to the future and commitment to the heart of our mission: using the power of ideas to drive our clients’ businesses.”
Giannelli’s creative leadership has shaped some of Brazil’s most memorable campaigns, from Volkswagen’s 70th anniversary featuring Maria Rita and Elis Regina, to heartfelt celebrations for O Boticário, the long-overdue recognition of Alaíde Costa for Johnnie Walker, and Pedigree’s beloved “Caramelo” campaign. His earlier works—such as Bradesco Seguros’ “Vai que…,” Visa’s “Posso te falar uma coisa?,” Pepsi’s “Pode ser?,” and Doritos’ “Quer dividir alguma coisa com os amigos?”—have become part of Brazilian pop culture.
On the international stage, Giannelli has amassed more than 100 Cannes Lions, including two consecutive Grands Prix in 2023 and 2024, as well as AlmapBBDO’s first Titanium Lion. His accolades also include over 40 D&AD Pencils and hundreds of trophies from The One Show, Clio, LIA, El Ojo, Fiap, and Effie Awards. He is also a frequent juror at leading international festivals, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, and The One Show.
“What I’ve always admired about Almap is its creative consistency over the decades,” observes Pernil. “An agency that’s been able to reinvent itself without losing its essence: creative, passionate, focused on moving communications, brands, and society forward. It’s a tremendous honor to be able to write new chapters of this story alongside Filipe – I’ve never met a business guy more passionate about creativity.”
Known for his collaborative and people-first approach, Giannelli has helped guide AlmapBBDO to landmark recognitions, including multiple “Agency of the Year” titles at Cannes and the historic “Agency of the Decade” honor in 2020. In 2023, the agency was also named the “World’s Most Effective Agency” by the Global Effie Index.
AlmapBBDO, with more than 950 collaborators and a portfolio of over 30 national and international brands, continues to cement its reputation as a creative powerhouse that places bold ideas at the heart of its clients’ businesses.
