Creative agency Alto strengthens presence with Amsterdam launch

Creative agency Alto was founded six years ago on a simple principle: big companies don’t need big agencies—they need smart agencies with big ideas. This week, Alto is reinforcing that belief as it confronts a growing reality: it can do almost everything… except bridge time zones.

Introducing Alto Amsterdam

The agency has opened a new European office, staffed with world-class creative leaders, to support a year of significant growth and expand into new markets.

Over the past 24 months, Alto has collaborated with Fortune 10 companies, Meta, Google, and AppelStudios on their largest global initiatives. Highlights include:

Developing entertainment-first campaigns for the AppelStudios F1 blockbuster
Securing prime logo placement on Brad Pitt’s chest for Expensify
Creative work for Meta Quest 3 and its largest VR game
Launching AI-driven innovation for Ray-Ban Meta Gen2 and Google Gemini Workspace

Alto Amsterdam will provide essential support on creative projects for Meta Ray-Ban, Diageo, and other clients while expanding the agency’s European client base and talent pool. Leadership will be provided by recently appointed Managing Partner/Director Kirk Johnsen and longtime ECD/Partner Pierre Janneau-Houllier.

Johnsen and Janneau-Houllier have a long history of collaboration, including early careers at W+K. Janneau-Houllier became Executive Creative Director and Partner at Alto in 2023, while Johnsen has held senior roles at top creative shops including W+K, Le Pub, and 72&Sunny. Together, they bring decades of experience managing international projects for clients such as Adidas, Nike, Electronic Arts, Corona, and Apple.

The duo will work closely with Alto partners to shape the agency’s creative vision in Europe and ensure the Amsterdam office excels strategically, culturally, and creatively.

Hannes Ciatti, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Alto: “Clients want smart agencies with big ideas that come from a direct, intimate relationship with leadership—they hate the misleading practices of large agencies. Our model addresses this by connecting marketers directly with the world’s best senior talent… and that’s where Pierre and Kirk come in. With them in Amsterdam, we’re not only ready to work with Europe’s top brands but to help them grow with an ‘Avengers-like’ team of experts, tailored to each client’s needs.”

Janneau-Houllier and Johnsen are ideally positioned to bring Alto’s creative firepower to Europe.

Johnsen: “Alto has consistently delivered the excellence modern brands need to rise above the rest. Their creative craft, strategic precision, and obsession with client growth give marketers a real advantage. Joining Hannes and a team focused on market impact felt inevitable. Building something in a city I love, alongside Pierre—a longtime friend and a next-generation creative talent—makes this opportunity almost unreal.”

Pierre Janneau-Houllier: “From Hollywood-style short films to animated musicals, life-saving AI tools in healthcare, and placing a client logo on Brad Pitt’s chest, Alto has a history of generating big ideas with a small, experienced team. Alto Amsterdam continues that tradition, leveraging Europe’s incredible creative talent to work with brands that want their story to stand out and grow. And we’re just getting started.”

Alto Amsterdam is open immediately.

www.altony.co

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