Always on the go, Elisa Harca, co-founder of Red Ant Asia, has carved a distinctive path in the global marketing landscape. The half Scottish, half Hungarian, London-born CEO worked in New York before Hong Kong and Shanghai, where she established her leading marketing agency specializing in connecting international brands with Chinese and Asian consumers.
Currently, Harca divides her time between the bustling Asian hubs of Hong Kong and Shanghai as well as her hometown London and the serene beach towns of Caparica in Lisbon, Portugal.
This global lifestyle mirrors her agency’s mission: to bridge Eastern and Western markets through innovative strategies. Creative-led and impact-driven, from Harca’s one-person start-up to a 30-strong, award-winning Shanghai-based marketing agency with clients like American Vintage, Agent Provocateur, CREED, Lisa Eldridge, Charlotte Tilbury, Omorovicza, Birkenstock, Balmain, Moncler, and Fairmont Hotels.
Beyond work, Harca is an avid equestrian, hiker and fitness enthusiast — currently training to become a Family Form class trainer at Hong Kong’s Upper House hotel, passions that give her balance amidst all this dynamism. Her husband Daniel Murray, a professional photographer, often documents their global adventures, adding a creative dimension to their shared homes and travels.
The perfect day in Caparica, Lisbon?
The coast line from Trafaria, going South is the Costa de Caparica coastline and it’s incredible. You can walk for hours either along the vast beach (very dog friendly) or along the pine forests – called Mata Dos Medos (meaning the Forest of Fears). You can have a lovely walk and end up in the small fishing village Fonte da Telha for fresh fish from Retiro de Pescador – it’s very casual, right on the beach – wild and wonderful. After you’ve eaten, you can walk a bit further down the beach to the outside lounge bar – Praia de Piscina – for an amazing sunset drink.
Best place for people watching and drinking coffee in Lisbon?
My best friend from my NYC days lives in Campo d’Ourique, a super cute neigbourhood filled with great fitness studios, coffee shops and restaurants – we will often go for a spin class at Studio Rise and then choose a different coffee spot, to keep it fresh – our favourites are the Mercado de Campo de Ourique, Copenhagen Coffee Lab and the kiosks in the little park – it’s the heart of the district so you can see what everyone is up to. Mirari is a great place day or night as there are always cool things happening there, from art, to fashion to music. It has an eclectic crowd, and good bites / drinks.
Favourite local restaurant in Shanghai?
It’s really hard to pick one fave. I would say my top restaurants are run by friends. Bastard run by a cute couple who are really doing amazing modern Chinese dishes with a super cute vibe. It’s a really special place, and very much at the heart of the new food movement in Shanghai. I also love Egg– run by the lovely Camden Hague who has been at the forefront of the foodie scene in Shanghai for over a decade – Egg offers the best brunch food, and now the best curation of indie Chinese wine in the evenings. These two places embrace Shanghai in such authenticity and unique ways, not only contributing to the community but creating the community. They are on my to go list every time.
A hidden gem in Hong Kong?
I love hiking, and I used to live 10 mins drive from the highest mountain in Hong Kong – Tai Mo Shan. It’s a stunning mountain that offers breathtaking views, out as far as Shenzhen. During Covid, we would get up at 4:30 a.m. to do a sunrise hike – and 5 hours later we would end up at the best little dim sum restaurant, overlooking the fields called Duen Kee Tea House. This is what makes Hong Kong special. You can be in the middle of nowhere, thrown back into a timeless treasure, and then 30 mins later, you will be back in the hustle and bustle and skyscrapers.
Where do you go to unwind in London?
I love going on long walks in Hampstead Heath and Highgate Woods with my mum and her dog. My friend Jenn Ellis runs a collaborative art space Apsara Studio in Battersea and everything she does is intimate, experiential and unique. I always enjoy the Saatchi gallery. And, I go to Frame workouts (yes to unwind) in East London with my friend Chiara – there is nothing more fun than releasing your inner Dua or Rhianna in a workout.
Favorite destinations for inspiration?
Travel in general I find is food for creativity, but I would say, I feel my most creative / free / inspired, when I do extreme adventures. Some of my favourites have been horse riding through Mongolia with my mum and sleeping in the Mongolian plains through thunder, lightning, swarms of flies. It was just so wild and the people were so charming – exhilarating. The there was jungle trekking through Sumatra with my husband – we slept in a makeshift tent, and ate plants. Each day we didnt know what to expect, we were totally in the wild.
I also have a very sweet spot in my heart for New York – I moved there when I was 21 and stayed for 5 years – I really found this the opening of my creative journey – believing anything was possible and experience so many new things. It’s where I started a fashion events company called Styelaholics, and loved it. I went back 2 years ago for the first time in 10 years, and the energy still gets me – it’s a special city.
Most inspiring recent trip?
A very recent extreme adventure trip was on a campaign shoot in Inner Mongolia, Northern China for the CREED fragrance brand, in -26 degrees celcius. The beauty and challenges of nature were inspiring.
Travel splurge you’ll never regret?
Most of my discretionary spending goes on experiences than things…but of course I find things I love on my travels: a beautiful ruby gold necklace that says “LUCK” from Myanmar, a vegan leather Kimono from Milan, and a multi-coloured silk Kimono from Tel Aviv.
Whats always in your carry on?
I travel with a rucksack that includes: my laptop, sunglasses. mini face cream, paracetamol, eye mask, Kindle, travel pillow, toothbrush, specific jewellery, a Ralph Lauren beanie, a light scarf (I am a lizard and feel the cold), a Uniqlo heat tech extra lawyer, Airpods, pens and English breakfast tea – this has to go everywhere I go!
Favourite hotel in the world?
It’s not a hotel technically but the Brimhole Estate in Jamaica. My husband’s family are from Jamaica and after 20 years together, we finally got to visit, just in time for his granny’s 94th birthday. We drove the whole island, it was a great way to see the beautiful country, very off the beaten path. We found this amazing AirBnB at the quiet end of Negril, away from all the chaos. Brimhole has 4 guest houses – we were the only guests then and there’s direct access to the Caribbean sea.
How do you balance your life between four cities?
I think I am nomadic in my DNA, so not living fulltime in one city really gives me energy. I feel very lucky to be able to have strong communities – family and friends in all my cities, and to connect with and contribute to them. It probably comes from a very early age commuting between my parents homes, post divorce. I feel very comfortable moving. For me balance is about moving towards what makes you most happy.
Dream destination, not yet fulfilled?
I have so many but a few include: Antarctica – a frontier I have never experienced, and I think the wildlife would be outstanding. Bhutan because it looks so magical, unique and I think the hiking would be breathtaking. Also Namibia and Galapagos – out of this world nature experiences.
