Paulo Areas has left TBWA\España and returned to Portugal to take up the role of CCO and partner at Lola Normajean,a key role in the evolution and growth of one of the independent agency.

His arrival strengthens Lola Normajean’s commitment to keep growing from an independent position in Portugal, with creativity remaining the main driver of its offer, while expanding its capacity to work with international brands and projects.

Lola Normajean joins after two-and-a-half years as chief creative officer of TBWA\España and chief creative officer of VML in Barcelona prior to that. He has also held top creative roles at major network agencies, Ogilvy, VML, Cheil and Leo, working in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States and developing projects for some of the world’s leading brands.

Joining Lola Normajean also marks a return to a model he knows well. He was previously a partner and CCO at Forever Beta, an independent British agency, leading it to more than 20 UK Creative Circle awards and 10 D&AD/Drum awards, as well as a win at Cannes. At the time, this placed the agency among the most prominent independent agencies in the country.

“I don’t think it has ever been more important for our industry to have a clear vision of what we want to build. An agency must put the creative product back at the centre, look after its culture and create an environment where talent can do its best work. At the same time, we have a huge opportunity to combine that talent with technology and make both of them true drivers of growth,” Areas stated.