The Centre Club’s December Breakfast with an Executive featured a captivating presentation by Javier Tirado, CEO and Founder of Cientochenta Advertising Agency. With a dynamic mix of personal stories, professional insights, and industry wisdom, Javier explored the intersection of advertising and culture, shedding light on how his entrepreneurial journey shaped the creation of his innovative agency.
Javier’s entrepreneurial path began with a dream he committed to paper: by age 30, he would either be a creative director or own his own agency. Years later, he fulfilled that goal, becoming a creative director at the globally renowned agency BBDO. But his aspirations didn’t stop there.
After gaining valuable experience at Lopito, Ileana & Howie in Puerto Rico and running his first agency, JT Publicidad, in Puerto Rico, Javier eventually established Cientochenta Advertising Agency in Ybor City, Tampa, in 2020. The agency has since become a leader in multicultural marketing, specializing in branding, social media management, and content creation. Its award-winning team serves high-profile clients such as Abbott, Clorox, General Mills, Visions Federal Credit Union, and Tampa’s LifeLink Foundation.
Javier shared his belief that “advertising either reflects culture or creates culture.” Referencing iconic campaigns like Budweiser’s “What’s Up,” he illustrated how advertising can shape societal trends while capturing the cultural nuances of its audience. For Cientochenta, this philosophy translates into a commitment to multicultural and multilingual advertising, leveraging cultural cues to craft messages that resonate deeply with diverse audiences.
Javier’s global perspective stems from his own multicultural experiences. As a professional soccer player in his youth, he traveled extensively, playing in Argentina, Colombia, and Italy, before an injury redirected his focus. This early exposure to different cultures and languages informed his vision of creating a truly global advertising agency rooted in cultural fluency.
During his presentation, Javier recounted meeting advertising legend David Droga at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Droga’s advice to “focus and block out the noise” became a guiding principle for Javier, reinforcing the importance of dedication to his craft over the pursuit of recognition.
Javier also drew inspiration from Jim Carrey’s story of writing himself a $10 million check as a struggling actor. Similarly, Javier’s written goal of achieving his dream served as a powerful reminder of the importance of setting intentions and working relentlessly to achieve them.
Cientochenta Advertising Agency embodies Javier’s vision of bridging cultures through innovative marketing. Its mission is clear: to transform client strategies into impactful results by combining global insights with local knowledge.
As Javier concluded his presentation, he left the audience with a powerful message: “Culture isn’t just your ethnicity; it’s the accumulation of cultural cues that make us who we are.” His dedication to capturing these nuances and delivering meaningful advertising underscores the importance of blending creativity with cultural understanding.
The Centre Club’s Breakfast with an Executive continues to highlight remarkable leaders like Javier Tirado, whose passion and innovation inspire the Tampa Bay community. With Cientochenta Advertising Agency leading the charge in multicultural marketing, Javier’s journey serves as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and cultural connection in shaping the future of advertising.
