2 Minutes With … Daniel Andersson, CCO, FutureBrand North America

Daniel has 25 years of international experience in the industry. He is currently chief creative officer for FuturBrand North America. He spent seven years at The Brand Union in Stockholm and later moved to the U.S. to join the agency’s New York office, where he led the consumer branding practice for eight years. 

We spent two minutes with Daniel to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.

Daniel, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now. 

I was born in a remote part of Sweden called Grums, surrounded by the dark Swedish woods close to the Norwegian border. I eventually made my way to NYC, where I have lived since 2007.

How you first realized you were creative. 

As a child I loved channeling my creativity through art and became very focused when I was doing anything expressive. Luckily, my parents nurtured that instinct and let me design my own clothes and wallpaper. This not only made me realize the potential I had to express myself creatively, but also confirmed my parents’ wacky and wonderful taste in “Made By Daniel” fashions and interiors!

A person you idolized creatively early on. 

Kyle Cooper. He is one of the reasons I love seeing movies. I’m still amazed at how he was able to turn mundane main title sequences into stunning art forms.

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

During my first year in business school, I realized that life was too short to not do something you were passionate about. If you were ever going to find success, it would be from doing something you loved and not something you needed to do.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

Björk. The most synergistic artist of sound, words, movement and emotion.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

The Bear. A fresh, irreverent show that defines a narrative where everyone’s special talent is celebrated, no matter who they are.

Your favorite fictional character. 

Ignatius J. Reilly. The delightfully eccentric and delusional main character in John Kennedy Tool’s tragicomic A Confederacy of Dunces. And then there’s Karen Walker from Will & Grace and Edina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous—they’d get me.

Someone or something worth following in social media. 

I decided to leave social media a few years ago and have never looked back. I have now built a pretty good base of alternative resources to make sure I’m in the loop. One of my absolute go-to sites for art and design is Booooooom.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.

Absolut Brooklyn. Creating the bottle design for their limited-edition city series with Spike Lee was an amazing and collaborative experience that I will never forget.

A recent project you’re proud of. 

Revvity. In a very short period we created a “new” brand with some of the biggest aspirations for a healthier humankind.

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago. 

The “Made by Sweden” Vintersaga video created by Forsman & Bodenfors for Volvo is still a cinematic favorite.

Someone else’s work you admired lately. 

The Mastercard Touch Card. So simple and so brilliant.

Your main strength as a creative person. 

I don’t have any hesitations about “killing my darlings.” Ego is probably the biggest flaw of creativity.

Your biggest weakness. 

Impatience.

One thing that always makes you happy. 

Driving north on the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu.

One thing that always makes you sad. 

Drinking out of plastic cups.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.

I do love what I do, but I have always dreamed about designing cars. That passion could definitely be something I would get excited about.