I like to make things and solve problems. I particularly like to make things that solve problems. I started my career at Leo Burnett. Here, Cannes Lions recognised my then creative partner and I as 'Best Young Creative Team' in the UK. This happened two years running - our first two in the industry. I've since worked at Fallon, Drum, and 20something, tackling briefs from some of the world's biggest brands.
I've created work recognised by awarding bodies around the world. But that isn't what gets me out of bed. Brands have colossal power, more than many people in the advertising industry acknowledge. Brands shape our culture. They shape the way we behave, and feel about ourselves, and our lives. I wake up every day to try and use that power to make things that move people.
I joined the founders of 20something in January 2020 as their first creative hire. Our first project was Campaign’s 'Ad of the Day'. Less than six months later, we were making work with professional athletes like Anthony Joshua. Just over a year later, we were prominently placed on a list of the top 100 creative companies in the UK. By the time I left 20something, I was still one of only two creatives at the company. Despite our department's small size, we made work that drove millions in sales, created the most-viewed Chelsea kit launch in history, and received recognition at award shows including Cannes Lions, Creative Circle, Design Week, Kinsale Sharks, Berlin Commercial, and The British Arrows.
Over the years, I've worked with D&AD New Blood/ Shift, Accumulate, The Diana Award, and various Universities around the UK to help aspiring creative people find their way and break into their desired professions.
Who knows how valid personality tests are? But in case you're wondering, my Myers Briggs personality code is ENTJ.
I am currently Creative Director at Impero. I report directly to ECDs Alastair Mills and Michael Scantlebury (Agency Founder). I joined the agency in January 2024. Since joining, I’ve contributed to the agency receiving more press coverage than any year prior, and being nominated as Campaign's 'Global Integrated Agency of the Year', and twice as Campaign UK’s ‘Agency of the Year’ - both as an independent agency and as an integrated agency.
I am working closely with the ECDs and MD to increase the output of the Creative Department, and the quality of the agency’s work.
I trained as a Creative at the University of Lincoln. I've been honing my craft ever since, growing up in some of the world's most-awarded advertising agencies, where I've been lucky enough to learn from some of the best.
Advertising is a tough industry to get into. Whilst I don't claim to be a samurai, over the years I've helped students get placements, jobs, and even awards. A few publications have even covered my efforts to help students get in, such as Campaign, LBB and HYC. In 2017, I created a free-resource and started hosting night-classes for people interested in creative careers who couldn't afford higher-education. The industry seemed to respond to that well, too. I do the odd industry pod and try to write things that offer aspiring creatives guidance.
Despite usually being hired as a Creative, I've always had a strong interest in Psychology, Sociology and Behavioural Economics. As well as Business & Marketing Strategy and how start-ups scale. Over the years, I've tucked myself under the wings of some of the industry's best Strategists, poured over books and inhaled podcasts like How I Built This and Masters of Scale. I've also been and continue to be involved in several start-ups; building their websites, creating their branding, TOV and even just helping them with their pitch decks. The result is that I've been described as a bit of a hybrid and am comfortable working as such.
2013 - 2016
Worked primarily on: Department For Transport, Action On Addiction, NSPCC, McDonald's, Freeview, Kellogg's, the co-operative.
Highlight: being chosen as one of six UK creatives to attend LIA's Creative Liaisons in Las Vegas.
2016 - 2018
Worked primarily on: ŠKODA, Cadbury, Expedia, Ebookers and AXA.
Pitch wins: Deliveroo
Highlight: pro-actively making the agency a new website and being told by the CEO that I'd saved him £30,000+.
2018 - 2019
Worked primarily on Anthony Nolan, Audi, Seat, Volkswagen, Jura Whisky, McDonald's.
Pitch wins: Anthony Nolan, Jura Whisky.
Highlight: helping to genuinely save lives, while working on Anthony Nolan.
2020 +
Working alongside ECD Will Thacker to help run the creative department and lead existing creative resource across all projects.
Highlight: placing prominently on a list of the top 100 creative companies in London, in just over a year.