I started my advertising career as an art director at a Boase Massimi Pollit in London, England (a.k.a. the birthplace of strategic planning).
While BMP isn’t around any more, it opened the doors to some of London’s finest agencies with the opportunity to learn from the best and to work on some fabulous brands.
So far, career highlights include being the Head of Art at Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO for 5 years where I created campaigns for Yellow Pages, Department of Transport, and Mars, as well as being Co-Creative Director of Simons Palmer (a.k.a. TBWA Chiat/Day) for three years where I worked on Nike and helped launch SONY Playstation in Europe. Eleven years ago, I crossed the Atlantic to become Head of Art at BBDO, Toronto, where I worked on Mercedes and FedEx, among other accounts.
Along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to garner my fair share of awards. While I love the pure craft of art direction, I ultimately believe that the idea is king (or queen). It’s proven to be a useful mindset that has carried my thinking through to the explosion of new mediums where I’ve been immersed in everything from micro sites to mobile apps.
In my spare time I dabble with photography, although, having commissioned some seriously good photographers, am well aware that I won’t be giving up the day-job anytime soon.
CAREER:
2013-PRESENT
Freelance Art Director
Cleansheet Communications, Publicis, Taxi,
Juniper Park, McCann, Dentsu & System 1 (UK based agency).
Sick Kids and Castrol Canada (as a photographer).
2011-2013 DENTSU CANADA
Associate Creative Director
Clients: Lexus, Scion, Sleeman, Sapporo, Harper Collins,
Canon, National Bank.
2009-2011 CUNDARI
Head of Art
Clients: BMW, Credit Valley Hospital, Dignity in Death, Ely Lilly, Telus.
2006 – 2008 BBDO TORONTO
Head of Art.
Clients: Mercedes-Benz, Campbell’s, MEDT, Toronto Rehab, Cara,
FedEx, Bayer, Mitsubishi, Shaw, RBC, Pepsi,
2001 –2006 ABBOTT MEAD VICKERS BBDO (LONDON)
Head of Art
Clients: British Telecom, Guinness, COI (Central Office of Information), Department of Transport,
Department of Health, Sainsbury’s, Mars, Yellow Pages, Lays, Campbell’s, Quaker, Wrigley’s, Pepsi.
1999 – 2001 EURO RSCG WNEK GOSPER
Deputy Creative Director / Head of Art
Clients: Peugeot, Citroen, Abbey National, Microsoft, COI, Royal Society for the Blind,
Mayor of London’s Office, Cadburys.
1998 – 1999 LOWE HOWARD SPINK
Head of Art
Clients: Vauxhall Motors, Saab, Smirnoff, Diesel Jeans, Olympus, Stella Artois.
1997 – 1998 M & C SAATCHI
Head of Art
Clients: British Airways, Garrard Jewelers, Asprey Jewelers, Silk Cut, and Whiskas.
1990 – 1997 SIMONS PALMER DENTON CLEMMOW AND JOHNSON
Creative Director / Head of Art / Art Director
Clients: Nike, Sony, Greenpeace, British Telecom, News International, Fuji, Wrangler, Red Cross, ICL,
British Heart Foundation, National Railway Museum, Science Museum.
1987 – 1990 LAING HENRY HILL HOLLIDAY
Art Director
Clients: Wines of France, Grants Whiskey, Potterton, Wimpey Homes, Department of Health,
1983 – 1987 BMP
Junior Art Director
Clients: Clarks Shoes, Dulux, Sony, Southern Comfort, Johnny Walker, Alcan Bacofoil,
John Smith’s Bitter, Sugerpuffs, Lemsip.
AWARDS:
The ONE SHOW 1 Gold Pencil
D&AD 2 Pencils, 36 Commendations
CANNES 1 Gold Lion, 2 Silver Lions, 12 Bronze Lions
EUROBEST 1 Grand Prix, 7 Gold’s
CAMPAIGN POSTERS 2 Gold’s, 8 Silvers
CAMPAIGN PRESS 1 Gold, 3 Silvers
COMMUNICATION ARTS 1 Silver
TYPE DIRECTOR’S CLUB OF NEW YORK 7 Winners
WEBBYS 1 Commendation