Matthias HARBECK

1.What was your very first job? What does it feel like to look back at it now?
 I was sweet sixteen and a poor helping hand in a construction company during my holidays. What shall I say? It was tough. And although my job today is tough, too, I feel very privileged to do it.
 
2.Please describe, in your own words, what your current job is and what work it entails?
 I am responsible for the creative work of Serviceplan in Germany. This means I work on New Business, important clients and awards with Serviceplan agencies from Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.
       
3.How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery?  Which train of events did bring you to where you are today?
Somehow I knew quite early that I want to move people, tell stories. First I did that as a journalist. Then I worked at the theater, among other things as assistant to the great director Robert Wilson and to Tom Waits. I played roles in student theater, started to do stage designs, finished university. Finally I found the way into advertisement by accident. My former girl-friend (and later wife) was a graphic designer and told me about a little interesting ad agency. I thought I was going to work there just for three months or so. But then I stayed in the business up until today. Maybe advertisement means for me an interesting combination between writing and theater.
 
4.In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how and where do you usually find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
It’s always about the work, the work, the work itself. Of course, I have a close and constant look to what happens in our industry. On top of that I find inspiration in art, films, books, Netflix. And I have more and more chats with my teenie daughter.
        
5.If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, especially for the creative work and innovation it    required rather than its recognition or industry success, what would it be?
I pick two:
The Sky Live Spots. A live broadcast of an exclusive Champions League game from the Pay TV Channel Sky to the ad blocks of six Free TV channels.
The Lego Builders of Sound. A crazy barrel organ that played the famous Star Wars theme with the help of Lego Star Wars bricks.