FCB Health New York has hired Humberto Fernandez as svp, group creative director. He will report to the agency’s chief creative officer, Kathleen Nanda.
Fernandez comes to the agency from São Paulo, Brazil, where he spent 25 years in consumer advertising for brands including Coca-Cola, Bayer, Kit Kat, Budweiser and Mitsubishi Motors. Before FCB Health New York, Fernandez served as executive creative director at São Paulo’s Agência Africa. Previously, he held the same title at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide in Brazil, followed by his work at the startup Heads Propaganda, where he was executive creative director and head of art.
“Humberto is a brilliant creative, whose entrepreneurial spirit and ‘never finished’ attitude have taken many epic brands to new heights,” said Nanda. “We’re eager to see him bring that same level of excellence to FCB Health New York.”
Fernandez was named the top art director in Lürzer’s Archive’s 2013 rankings and has won numerous major industry awards, including Cannes Lions, Clios, Effies, One Show Pencils and D&AD awards. He was also one of the 20 most awarded executive creative directors in the world in 2016. His arrival at the agency follows FCB Health New York hiring Jenna Brownstein as group management director in January.
In 2020, FCB Health added over 25 major new brand assignments and expanded existing relationships with clients including Lilly, Merck, Novartis and Sanofi, contributing to FCB’s recognition as Adweek Global Agency of the Year in the process.
“I joined FCB Health New York to do my part to make this a healthier world,” said Fernandez. “2020 showed us that the pharmaceutical industry plays a pivotal role, and I feel privileged to work for clients and brands that were born with a real purpose,” Fernandez said. “There is no better place to start on this journey than at the best and biggest healthcare agency in the world.”