Ex-drummer and Lowe Brindfors Art Director Håkan "Hank" Fagerstedt joins Open Communications

Measuring in at 193 cm (6 feet, 4 inches), you can't help but look up to our new Creative Director Håkan "Hank" Fagerstedt. Having worked extensively on iconic global brands such as IKEA, Ericsson, Electrolux and Telenor, he provides the perfect leadership for our rapidly growing international creative team. 

A former musician and self-taught art director, Hank started his career working under the tutelage of Lars Hall, the legendary Swedish art director and graphic designer who headed up Hall & Cederquist. During his career, Hank has worked on a host of iconic global brands, including IKEA, Electrolux, Pharmacia, Unilever, AEG, Telenor, Saab, Piz Buin and Ericsson. He has won numerous awards, including the coveted Swedish 100 Watt and 75 Watt awards for effectiveness in communications.

London. Amsterdam. Prague.
Following his time at Hall & Cederquist/Y&R, Hank joined Hans Brindfors and his team at Lowe Brindfors, working on a range of international accounts. He also ran his own agency, The Duffy Agency, in Malmö, Sweden for four years. Over the years, he has lived in Amsterdam and worked extensively with clients and global teams based in London, Prague and elsewhere. 

Moving up to the next level
Hank says he was attracted to Open by the prospect of working more internationally and addressing business challenges with a more holistic perspective than simply a campaign-driven approach. "I enjoy digging into complex assignments, working closely with clients, getting to know their business and solving their problems with the right communication tools," he says, adding: "Open has an ambitious agenda that I found appealing, especially the personal challenge of helping take the agency to the next level." 

Imperiet album designer
What few may now is that Hank is a former drummer who released three albums with the band "The Wayward Souls". He design the album covers for his own band and also for Imperiet, the famous Swedish rock band, as well as for Docenterna and Lolita Pop. He then switched genres and designed album covers for Caprice records, the Swedish classical music label.