Argentine Startup Duplicate Aims to Be the 'Tinder' for Advertising Creatives, Expanding to Europe

Finding the right creative partner in the advertising industry can be as challenging as landing a major campaign. Agencies often pair copywriters and art directors into duos that collaborate on projects and festivals, frequently moving between agencies together. This professional bond, built on chemistry and compatibility, inspired Lola Vázquez and Stefanía Messina, two young Argentinians, to create Duplicate.

Duplicate, initially a startup project for a university course, was designed to revolutionize how creative professionals find their "professional soulmates." The platform made its public debut in November last year with a speed-dating event for 15 people at their university. Since then, the initiative has grown significantly, connecting over 300 professionals across seven editions. Now, Duplicate is set to cross the Atlantic, with the founders planning to launch events in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia in October.

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In the industry, there are many creatives who are alone and, for that reason, do not launch projects, join agencies, or participate in festivals.

Vázquez and Messina, who graduated in 2024 and have experience at agencies like HOY Buenos Aires and Don By Havas, identified a significant "pain point" in the industry. "Many creatives are solo and, because of that, don't start projects, join agencies, or participate in festivals," they explained. The traditional methods of finding partners, such as endless LinkedIn scrolling or cold messaging on WhatsApp, often yield poor results.

Duplicate's approach gamifies the networking process. Through a dynamic and relaxed speed-dating format, copywriters and art directors sit opposite each other at a long table. They have just eight minutes to connect, guided by exclusive card games designed "by advertisers for advertisers" to break the ice and foster genuine professional chemistry. This method aims to overcome the limitations of traditional networking and facilitate meaningful collaborations.

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The traditional process for finding a partner involves endlessly scrolling on LinkedIn, sending cold messages in WhatsApp groups, or taking expensive courses without any guarantee of truly connecting with someone professionally and personally.