Gut Names Former David Creative Danny Alvarez as Newest ECD

By Kyle O'Brien 

Independent creative agency Gut has hired Danny Alvarez as its newest executive creative director. The creative, who was formerly with David and Republica Havas, will be responsible for working on Gut’s roster of clients, reporting to Juan Javier Peña Plaza and Ricardo Casal, executive creative directors North America and global partners.

“We’ve known Danny for such a long time and are so proud to be working together with him again,” Peña Plaza and Casal said in a statement. “He is a fantastic leader, an incredible mentor, and is able to nurture and push for the best, most creative ideas from our teams and our clients.”

In his short time already at Gut Alvarez has helped lead the launch of the booking platform GetYourGuide to the U.S. market through its #DogeToTheEarth campaign.

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Prior to Gut, Alvarez was executive creative director at Havas Republica, and before that he worked as an acd at David under Anselmo Ramos and Gaston Bigio, who would go on to found Gut. He was promoted to group creative director after the pair’s departure from David. Alvarez has also worked at top agencies including Wieden+Kennedy, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and BBDO.

“Joining Gut was a no-brainer; they’re family,” said Alvarez in a statement. “I’ve worked with the team before, but this time it’s different. We are independent, we prioritize people and trust our gut when it comes to creativity.”

Alvarez has won over 35 global awards for work with brands including Budweiser, Burger King and Kraft-Heinz. For Burger King, his work on its “Bullying Jr.” campaign gathered over three billion impressions online in a matter of days. The film is also now part of MoMA’s permanent film collection.

Alvarez is also a fine artist, going by the name Dan Alva. He has exhibited his personal work at a number of national and international shows, most notably at Art Basel Fair. His artwork reinterprets old master paintings for a modern day audience. He is currently preparing for three solo shows in 2022 in Miami, New York and London.

“Advertising and art go hand in hand,” said Alvarez. “I use the same process in my studio as I do in the agency. I brief, research and concept before picking up a paint brush.”

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