STRAWBERRYFROG
PEOPLEText: Jay Taylor, Brad Dykema
StrawberryFrog, a new kind of amphibious strategic and creative communications agency in the heart of Amsterdam, has quickly made a name for itself fighting the world’s most ominous dinosaurs. Frog vs. the dinosaur is the chant. And StrawberryFrog doesn’t just chant, they work for selective cross border international brands like Elle.com, O’Neill Sport, Viagra, Motorola, Heineken and Credit Suisse utilizing new, alternative media. It’s done by hiring talented multicultural creatives from around the world. When pushing a deadline, frogs count on quick delivery from a small place next door called Lunchcafe Winkel. Shift recently managed to sit down with one of the waitresses, Carmen de Haan, to chat about art, Amsterdam, and the global effects of creative marketing strategies for some of the world’s leading brands.
How long have you been waiting tables?
At Winkel only about six months. I’ve worked in cafes since I was 15, during my studies, but full time just six months.
Are you hoping to move into another field, or stay in the food service industry?
I want to do something more “real-life.” I worked for five years at Airmiles, then I quit and travelled for six months in Latin America. And I’ ve been at Winkel since I got back home. It’s okay here, but I definitely want to move on to something new, where I can use my brain more.
What do the people at StrawberryFrog order most?
Since their office is so multicultural with employees from 14 different countries their tastes are very eclectic. I love the unleashed cultural mixture the frogs got. Usually, though, they order club sandwiches, soup, and a lot of apple tart. Sometimes we bring over seven or eight at a time.
Would you ever consider waitressing in a fur bikini?
Oh, like in that la-flamme.com ad?! I heard the bikini in that ad was designed by the same people that did Brigit Bardot’s bikinis back in the fifties. Is that true?
First of all, we’re asking the questions. And secondly, yeah, that’s true. How’d you like the Xerox Create Power campaign?
I didn’t realize Xerox made printers til I saw those ads. I thought they only made copiers. I think the ads do a great job of telling you about the high quality of these printers.
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