How long have you got?
No time for tea?
Freelance Creative Director/Art Director.
20 years of experience in Design and Advertising.
Worked for numerous agencies in London, Europe and Melbourne, Australia.
From big players like Leo Burnett, Adam&Eve and McCann to startups and boutique agencies.
Fully integrated creative - be it TV, Social Content, Digital, Print, Outdoor - whatever needs an idea.
Was full-time until 2013, freelance since then - been lucky enough to be in constant demand.
Happy leading a team, project or creating the work myself.
Hands-on knowledge of Adobe CC.
Often hired as a one-man band as can conceptualise, design and write copy (I write scripts, concepts, decks etc although would avoid long form brochure-style copy - I get bored).
Have had a 70% pitch win record since 2017.
Bookings have been known to have been for 2 days which turn into being 2 years.
However I am a poor maker of tea.
Time for a cup of tea?
I’ve always had a passion for both design and football and wanted a career in either. After having a meeting with my careers teacher at the young and disillusioned age of 15, he advised me that there was not enough money in being a footballer and that I should pursue a career in the creative industry. I am still trying to hunt him down to ask him exactly how much Kylian Mbappe’s contract per week is…
So, since that awful advice I have gained over 20 years of experience as an Art Director and Creative Director in Advertising and Design. I have worked for a number of fully integrated agencies - both in London and Melbourne - and have a passion for creating ideas for any medium - be it TV, Digital, Social, Radio, Print, Outdoor or even on the backside of a cow.
I have worked with many clients including Porsche, Volkswagen, Sony, Cadbury, Guinness, Jack Daniels, Apple, Heineken, Harrods, Mercedes as well as numerous charities. I worked full time until 2013 when I decided to go freelance and have since enjoyed the experience - meeting new people, clients and seeing the different ways of working - and have been lucky enough to have been constantly in demand. Most gigs are booked for a few days and then a year later they realise they are still hiring me and forget I’m not full-time.
With the increasing demand and ever-changing expansions of media in Advertising, my passion lies in creating and executing the ‘idea’ that can fit on all levels. I’ve won many pitches along the way and have enjoyed an 70% pitch success record while freelancing. I am experienced in running accounts, projects, pitches and client facing, as well as mentoring junior teams, but equally happy creating and crafting the work myself.
Although I am ‘freelance’ I have the work ethic of being one of the team and working as if I am part of the company.
Awards have been won and lost (awards are so subjective...especially when you lose), but imo the biggest reward is getting a good idea off the ground and making it happen.
Away from work I have a passion for travel (as moving halfway around the world to work in Melbourne for over a year proves), with the highlight being when my wife and I left our jobs to go backpacking around the world for 6 months on honeymoon. I also enjoy walking, hiking and climbing up mountains and getting lost. I'm good at that... the getting lost bit anyway.
I'm interested in art and photography - both following and producing - and have a love of sport, following Arsenal FC for my sins.
Oh, and I just can’t make tea. It’s not from a want of trying, I just don’t drink it so can’t make the perfect cuppa - so my colleagues have said.
Soz...
Career Awards:
• Cannes Lions Silver - The Creative Business Transformation Lions*
• Sport Industry Awards nomination - Mars Wrigley - #SupportHer
• Sport Industry Awards nomination - Expedia Group - Destination Football
• ESA nomination – Zurich
• ESA nomination – Mars Wrigley
• DMA Silver - Fulham FC ‘London’s Originals’ campaign
• DMA Silver & Bronze - Cadbury Creme Egg
• MAA Silver - Jack Daniel’s Birthday
• Best Awards Best Writing Silver Best Awards - Jack Daniel’s
• Best Awards Best Typography Silver - Jack Daniel’s
• Campaign Best effectiveness Award - South East Trains
• DMA Awards Nomination - South East Trains
• Campaign Direct Best campaign - Virgin Media
• Campaign Best use of direct mail to consumers - South East Trains
• London International Awards - British Library
• Chip Shop Awards - Alzheimer’s
• 6 Manchester Evening News Recruitment Awards
• 5 RAD Awards
• 4 CIPD Awards
• 3 Gramia Awards
• 2 CIPD Awards nominations
• 1 Socpo Communication Award
• 1 Northwest Cream Award
• 1 Worst Tea Maker Award
* Was part of the team working on it