Here's the awkward page where you have to talk about yourself. Does anyone ever click this tab?
Max Bengtsson
Me in my most despised formatting form:
Born in Melbourne
Lived in KL, Tokyo and Nicosia until I was old enough to grow hair on my face
Somewhere along the way I bought Op Shop items and sold them for more until I had enough cash for the first iPod Mini
Finished school in Melbourne
Got into Advertising at RMIT
Got dumped by my first girlfriend
Worked at the MCG, Kathmandu and did some freelance writing for family friends
Interned at Isobar through a uni partnership
Kept hanging around until they gave me a job while I finished studying
Did AWARD School
Top 40 *winks*
Continued as a Junior Copywriter at Isobar
Learned a lot. Drank a lot. Learned even more
Made some great work and made some not-so-great work
Promoted to mid-weight
Scored a couple of awards along the way
Tried to find myself in India
I didn’t
Landed a job at Clemenger BBDO
Made this site
Got to the ‘balcony’ of 474 and spent most of my days, nights and weekends making some fresh work
Decided to jet set again. Found more of myself this time
Thought to mix it up and give client side a crack at Xero – this time as a Senior Creative
Continued to learn lots about the process, the people and the passion from the inside – almost like a trojan horse 😏
Convinced Lee Lin Chin (icon) to half come out of retirement to do a campaign with us
Took a career break after nine years in the game. It was nothing short of refreshing, reflective and red-hot. I stayed in a shipping container, explored the Victorian high country, fell back in love with cooking, got my hair salty in the Med, wrote… a lot, made ceramics, reconnected with old mates and got myself in a great mindset to create some solid work. Freelanced around Melbourne
Until I landed at a place called Think HQ. We got along well until we both realised we were about to start a full-time relationship. So we did. All the work we made together was for positive outcomes for people, places and the planet. Highlights include: creative mentoring, shifting the needle for a apprehensive group of people to not only acknowledge trans and gender diverse people, but become allies, developing a three year creative strategy for the agency, understanding the ins, outs and roundabouts of Government work and working closely with the different communities of Victoria
But, adventure called again. This time in the city where I felt most creatively inspired: Amsterdam
Became a barista again
Rode a bakfiets around and delivered bread to the best restaurants in the city
Landed a job at creative luxury lifestyle brand Moooi – founded by Marcel Wanders. As Lead Copywriter and Strategist, I was responsible for all comms and campaigns from Moooi to the world. Working with creators, designers and collaborators to create impactful and important work.
Studied and performed improv comedy at Boom Chicago (Jason Sudeikis and Jordan Peele alumni)
Worked on music events with my favourite Dutch DJ and Producer, Carista
And after a transformative three years, I’m back in Melbourne and searching for the next creative challenge
I'm always open to yarning about ads, music, tech, NGOs, Manchester United, travel stories and any potential creative or writing roles where I could make a difference – let's chat!