I’m from a place where the sun never shines, unlike the music scene. I grew up in Manchester during the halcyon (or should that be Hacienda) days of Madchester. The city's vibrant culture and rebellious spirit have stuck with me and influenced everything I've ever done.
And it's led me to some exciting places. I've created global campaigns for the world's biggest brands, won pitches for household names like Victoria's Secret and Lucozade, redesigned agencies from the ground up, built award-winning creative departments, and enjoyed successful stints in Copenhagen and Amsterdam. I've worked at startups, in-house TV broadcasters, and global creative agencies, writing ideas for every conceivable channel: TV, radio, experiential, digital, and social. You name it, I've made it.
Right now, I’m CD at The Croc, where I spearheaded an award-winning agency rebrand and introduced Fierce Thinking. It's a philosophy we’ve woven through every facet of the business, and it's paying off. Since the rebrand, we've picked up over 40 award wins and shortlists, often standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best agencies at some of the world's most prestigious award shows.
When I’m not writing ads or managing the creative team, you’ll find me slipping into Lycra (not in an OnlyFans way) and hitting the road on my bike. It’s turned into a bit of an obsession – so far, I’ve conquered the North Downs and ridden from London to Paris for Charity. Oh, and London to Manchester – just for the hell of it!
If you want to know what two decades in advertising have taught me, I’ve helpfully summarised it into a few articles so you needn’t go through the bother yourself. Now, on yer bike! From me, that’s a compliment.
Talking a lot and writing fun stuff (6-min read)
This is Where Fierce Thinking Lives (4-min read)
Make Yourself Uncomfortable (3-min read)
The Business of Lion Taming (2-min read)
Key skills
Creative direction, leadership, strategy, art direction, copywriting, scriptwriting, design direction, concept development, digital, social, film, TV, radio, OOH, integrated campaigns, brand development, experiential, pitch lead, B2C, B2B, and team management.
Awards
Berlin Commercial (Top 10 Campaigns, Craft). Campaign Digital Awards x 2. B2B Marketing (Gold x 3 & Bronze x 2). Cannes Cyber Lion (Silver). Communication Arts (Award of Excellence). D&AD (In Book & Wood Pencil x 2). DADI x 3. Design Week Benchmark. DMA (Silver & Bronze x 2). Drum PR (Gold). Drum Business (Strategy of the Year). Drum Awards (Gold x 2 & Silver x 2). Eurobest (Gold). Global ACE Awards NYC (Gold x 2 & Silver x 5). Graphis (Gold & Silver). IAB Creative Showcase (2nd place). IVCA x 2. Lovies (People’s Award & Bronze). New York Festivals. ARF Ogilvy (Silver). Summit International (Platinum). Summit Creative Awards (Gold & Bronze). Webby Awards (Official Honoree x 2). W3 (Silver).
Finalist
Berlin Commercial x 5, BIMA x 3, Cannes x 3, Caples International, Creative Moment, Cresta Advertising Awards, DADI, DMA x 3, Drum Awards x 2, Chip Shop Awards, Eurobest, Revolution, Shorty, Social Buzz x 3, Lovies x 2.
–
DMA LinkedIn Live speaker
A prolific writer of thought leadership articles
Member of the New York Festivals Grand Jury
D&AD New Blood portfolio review sessions
Google Creative Academy winner
SCA student mentor