Unexpected Intros: Maria Luisa Ballen Gutiérrez

At DDB, we have a simple belief. That Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity. 
And in order to create awesome works, you need awesome people. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. In this Unexpected Intros series, we take a peek behind the curtain at some of the diverse thinkers that make up our network and validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it. 

1. Name, Title, Office

Maria Luisa Ballen Gutiérrez, social media manager, Track Colombia

2. Introduce yourself in three emojis. 

❤️💡🤯

3. What was your very first job?

My first job was as a personal stylist for a photo shoot, which served as the final project for a photography student. It was my first experience with content creation.

4. How did you wind up in advertising? 

The convergence of my passions for writing, design, and fashion led me to the creation of brand stories. Although I am not an advertising professional, it was inevitable for me to immerse myself in something that I truly love.

5. Piece of creative that inspires you? 

‘The Factory Girl’, a biopic portraying Eddie Sedwick, one of Andy Warhol's superstars. Directed by George Hickenlooper and starring Sienna Miller.

6. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?

I regularly read news about trends and innovation, keeping myself updated while anticipating future possibilities. Additionally, I am a devoted fan of Marvel movies and make sure not to miss any. The most recent one I watched was ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’.

I'm currently in love with ‘Mañana será bonito,’ a song by Karol G, and ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus

7. What’s a goal/hope/dream of yours?

I’d love to be part of a costume design team for films or TV series.