André Alves

writer, strategist, trends consultant, and psychoanalyst. co-Founder of float – strategy, culture, and consumer behavior.

São Paulo, Brazil

About

I’m a writer, cultural and social researcher currently based in São Paulo. I have over fourteen years of professional experience using research, consumer behavior, and trend forecasting as essential tools to solve a variety of marketing and branding challenges. Currently, I'm the co-founder of float — a strategy, culture & consumer behavior consultancy office. At float we research through various methods that inspire businesses to shape their future. We deep dive in a plural and post-truth market/cultural scenario, merging local and global expressions to identify what’s next. Before owning my own company, I was Director of the Trends division at Box1824 (Brazil's leading trend forecasting, consumer research, and brand innovation consultancy), and I've also worked for advertising agencies like McCann Erickson and Lowe. I've managed projects involving brand positioning, ideation, marketing research & consumer insights, trend forecasting, and desk research, among other activities. Clients include Anheuser-Busch InBev, Ambev, Pernod Ricard, Nestle, Nike, C&A, Renner, Vivo / Telefónica Group, Grendene, and Grupo Globo (Brazil's largest media conglomerate). I studied advertising and communications, and I've also lectured on branding and consumer culture at several events and schools, from Perestroika — a Brazilian school of creative activities — to ESOMAR Conference (the largest global event regarding marketing research). I am passionate about movies, writing, and tea. If you want, you can follow me on Instagram: @reflektory and @realmrtea André has also consulted for tea brands such as Baer-mate and Coca-Cola’s Fuze Tea, and also writes for the international tea magazine Eighty Degrees.

Experience

  • Co-Founder at float – strategy, culture and consumer behavior
    Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 7 mos

    estratégia, cultura e comportamento. a float nasceu da intersecção de estratégia, produção de conteúdo e experiências de aprendizado. usamos diferentes ferramentas de pesquisa e inovação para criar novos cenários e imagens de futuro. trabalhamos com empresas, marcas e parceiros capazes de criar e influenciar a Cultura em diversos segmentos. clientes como Google, Vulcabras Azaleia, Nestlé, O Boticário, Campari, FLAG.CX, AKQA, Ambev, entre outros. / strategy, culture, and consumer behavior float was born of the intersection between strategy, content, and learning experiences. we combine innovation and research methodologies to convert cultural shifts into opportunities for brands from many categories across several markets. we work with companies, brands, and partners that are able to influence and shape Culture across different segments. clients: — AKQA — Ambev — FLAG.CX, one of Brazil's biggest and most disruptive communication network — Google — Gruppo Campari — Nestlé — O Boticário, the world's 5th biggest beauty conglomerate — Vulcabras Azaleia, Brasil's leading sportswear brand

  • Strategy Director at Box 1824
    Feb 2016 - Jan 2018 · 2 yrs

    Strategy Director — Developed a handful of projects for companies, trend forecasting bureaus, marketing research, and insight agencies, as well as advertising agencies. — Led multiple projects for Anheuser-Busch InBev — Created, facilitated, and analyzed innovation, and strategic workshops that led to the creation of internal engagement campaigns for more than 16k employees of one of Box clientes — Developed several internal and external research projects, conducting and analyzing more than 50 in-depth interviews and 800 online survey responses — Led a multi-methodology project called The New American Dream, a cross-country study on young Americans new aspirations, conflicts, desires, and identities.

  • Freelance Consultant at Strategy + Consumer Insights + Trends
    Aug 2015 - Jan 2018 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    I work with companies, insight agencies, and advertisers to conduct consumer research, trend forecasting, and brand strategies. Current working with Box1824 on several projects involving marketing research and creative strategy in New York.

  • Box 1824 Planejamento e Marketing. (2 yrs 6 mos)
    • Trends Director
      Jul 2013 - Jun 2015 · 2 yrs

      I was responsible for the trend forecasting team, strategy and branding consultancy for a varied range of clients at Box1824, Brazil's leading trend forecasting, consumer research, and brand innovation consultancy. My role at Box included: - Researching: for trend briefs and also consumer research projects across different sectors - Presenting: for company events, national and international projects for clients - Managing: a team of 4 trend forecasters and freelancers involved in various projects - Consulting: meeting with clients, strategically helping grow the business, handling client proposals for presentation and innovation workshops - Creating: strategic directions, solutions, and ideas for clients - Writing: branding, tone of voice, naming in projects for clients as well in Box publications

    • Trends Manager
      Jan 2013 - Jul 2013 · 7 mos

  • Brand Connections Manager at Limo Inc
    Apr 2011 - Dec 2012 · 1 yr 9 mos

    I was a brand strategist at Limo Inc, a company in which we developed consumer research and brand strategies for different clients. At Limo, my responsibilities were: - Research, analysis, forecasting, innovation and delivery to clients - Formulating meaningful insight, inspiration and critical thinking from consumer and market research and trends - Creating strategic directions, solutions and ideas for clients - Managing the insight and strategy team