James Bernardo joins The Misfits Camp Manila and RJ Espartinez heads to Jayme HQ as creative director in inclusion-driven moves
As creative industries worldwide embrace diversity and innovation, two of the Philippines’ top talents are stepping into roles that champion inclusion with purpose.
James Bernardo, a veteran creative leader with a storied career across top global agencies and award-winning campaigns, officially joins The Misfits Camp as Creative Mentor. With accolades from the Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, and the New York Festivals, Bernardo brings decades of experience to guide neurodiverse and underrepresented creative talents. From leading Saatchi & Saatchi Jakarta to winning the Creative Agency of the Year title and the rare Cannes Chimera Award for the Philippines at FCB Manila, his leadership legacy is both global and deeply Filipino.
Bernardo now joins Sam Alapan, a fellow former Saatchi creative and a former professor at MINT College, creating a powerful mentoring duo at The Misfits Camp. Their shared experience in high-level creative work and education promises to ignite the unconventional talent of the neurodivergent.
In addition to his work in advertising and branding, Bernardo also teaches Game Development at MINT College and publishes independent comics under Pelikomiks Studios, reflecting his passion for creative education and storytelling.
Meanwhile, RJ Espartinez, a rising star known for his craft-driven, purpose-filled campaigns, joins Jayme HQ as Creative Director. RJ has created work for leading brands such as Ford, Colgate, Gatorade, and PLDT-SMART, and earned recognition at international award shows including Ad Stars, Gerety, Luum, and Kidlat. At Redbin Philippines, he led the agency to its first international wins, including the country’s first Luum Award. A mentor, juror, and mental health advocate, RJ is shaping a creative culture rooted in empathy, sustainability, and social impact.
These appointments affirm Jayme HQ and The Misfits Camp’s unique model: a reciprocal ecosystem where agency work fuels nonprofit training, and creative purpose drives business innovation.
“Bringing James and RJ into our creative family isn’t just about pushing creative excellence,” said Merlee Jayme, founder of both The Misfits Camp and Jayme HQ. “It’s about taking a hard, honest look at how we embrace diverse minds, perspectives, backgrounds, behaviors—and yes, neurodiversity and disability. True creativity thrives where everyone has a voice, and these two leaders will help us make that vision real.”
As the creative world evolves, Bernardo and RJ’s arrival marks a bold step toward a more inclusive, future-forward industry, where different minds, stories, and abilities are not just welcomed but empowered.