Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Osorio
Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a Colombian advertising creative, recently moved to Minnesota to work with Colle McVoy – one of Minneapolis’ proudest local agencies. My journey in advertising started fourteen years ago in Bogotá, Colombia, before I’d even finished university.
Like a lot of people, my story is about how hard work and persistence can open up the world. But I had one big advantage that helped me along the way: being bilingual. Speaking English gave me the chance to travel and live in some amazing places like Sydney and Dubai, shaping my perspective and my career.
Coming to the U.S. took more than just skill and language, though. Before I got here, I’d been recognized as the best creative writer in the Middle East and Africa, ranked 23rd worldwide by The One Show, and even won a Cannes Lion – the industry’s top award. Those milestones played a huge part in bringing me here.
Now, as an Associate Creative Director, I’m excited to be in Minnesota, inspired by the local culture, and looking forward to what comes next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey hasn’t been smooth. I’ve faced discrimination from colleagues and managers who didn’t think being bilingual was enough to succeed in the US. To quiet those doubts, I found myself working three times harder than the average person just to be heard. I still do – I work three times harder to prove my value. It’s been a tough realization, but this is the America I was once told existed.
I’d never been let go from a job before, but since coming to the US, it’s happened to me twice. It’s been a grounding experience and a stark reminder of how brutal corporate America can be. Here, talent and strong performance don’t always guarantee stability, and it’s a reality I’ve had to face.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a writer by trade and a creative by passion. I develop advertising campaigns across various media – TV, radio, and more. But what really sets me apart is my conceptual thinking and how I apply it to brand activations, which is my specialty – or better yet, the specialty of Colombian creatives.
One project I’m especially known for involved “hacking” a solar eclipse, something that wouldn’t be seen again in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa for almost 200 years. At the time, Mastercard was one of my clients, and we needed to attract more people to use their cards. Seeing the connection between Mastercard’s logo (which resembles an eclipse) and the astronomical event, we created “astronomical” discounts that activated when the eclipse aligned in the sky like the Mastercard logo. The idea quickly became one of the brand’s most awarded campaigns worldwide.
Any big plans?
I’m a firm believer that diversity fuels creativity. That’s why I plan to open my own ad shop, bringing together local talent and people from diverse backgrounds. My goal is to focus on businesses that need a boost in sales but don’t have the big budgets to hire a traditional agency. This is my way of giving back to a community that’s given me more than I ever expected, helping small businesses thrive while building something unique.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danielosoriocw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielosog/
