Fernando Zarpelon, a.k.a. Zarpa

You might know me as Fernando, but practically everyone calls me Zarpa. It is a shared family moniker claimed by my father, my brother, my uncles, and even cousins I have yet to meet. I always liked the Portuguese definition of the verb; ‘Zarpar’ means to set sail, lift anchors, the start of a journey. But the name gained a whole new level of energy for me when I discovered its Spanish meaning. In Spanish, a ‘zarpa’ is a “paw.” That detail gave a “Grrr” to my identity. A ship setting sail or a striking paw. I respond happily to both, so please call me by whichever name you like best.

I turn complex social challenges into resonant, high-impact narratives that demand attention. 

I design campaigns and deliver content products building narratives that protect democracy, the environment and foster community. My work is rooted in ethics, professional realization and paying bills.

My path hasn’t been a straight line, but it has always had a clear ‘Southern Cross’ constellation to guide. I realized when I was 15 y.o. on exactly where I wanted to be after reading Marilena Chauí’s “O que é ideologia?”. That book sparked a lifelong fascination with how we perceive reality and, more importantly, how we can communicate a better one.

Since 2005, I’ve navigated the world as a freelancer, which is a bit unusual in its longevity it has forced me to be a constant student of transformation, evolving alongside every technological shift[AI’s em dash]from basic HTML to the frontiers of Generative AI.

If you ask me what defines my work, I’d point to three words: Adaptability, Emotion, and Message. I’ve seen my greatest professional achievements manifest in moments where these three intersect—like the Regular para Proteger stunt in Brasília, fighting for digital regulation, or pledging justice for Gaza’s children at the Hind Rajab tribute in Barcelona. These weren’t just “projects”; they were collective cries for change.

What I love most about this career is the license it gives me to be a ‘flâneur’ of curiosity. My work allows me to wander through diverse subjects, learning their intricacies so I can communicate them effectively. To me, success isn’t a solo performance; it’s the sense of belonging and recognition of the ‘music’ that comes from a collective and harmonic effort.

Ultimately, my mission is simple yet vital: to communicate our shared dreams. I believe that in a fractured world, communication is the fundamental condition for any lasting peace. We need to remember what we have in common on this planet, and I’m here to make sure those messages aren’t just sent, but felt.

Core Expertise & Tools

Media & Intelligence 

Meltwater (Narrative Monitoring), Manychat, Meta Business Suite, LinkedIn Ads, WhatsApp Community Management & Administration.

Creative Suite 

Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, After Effects), Figma, Canva, Powerpoint, CapCut.

Generative AI 

Midjourney, Sora, Kling, Reve and advanced prompting for video/image synthesis.

Digital Ecosystems

Management of WordPress (Blogs/Portals) and diverse CMS platforms for content distribution.

Workflow & Productivity 

Experienced user of project management tools including Asana, Monday, MS Tasks, and agile workflow environments.

Languages 

• Portuguese (Native)
• English (Full Professional)
• French (Working Proficiency)
• Spanish (Working Proficiency)