Experience

KLABU

• Netherlands
• Spectator Sports
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative Lead

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Building sports-clubs where refugees are rebuilding their lives. Building sports-clubs where refugees are rebuilding their lives.



www.tombirdistheword.com

• Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Creative [freelance]

  • Jan 2019 - Present

  In short… better projects, nicer people, less bullshit, more time-off. Based in Amsterdam. Working worldwide. Just say hello@tombirdistheword.com In short… better projects, nicer people, less bullshit, more time-off. Based in Amsterdam. Working worldwide. Just say hello@tombirdistheword.com



WeTransfer

• Netherlands
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Art Director

  • Nov 2022 - Jul 2023



Nike

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Creative Lead

  • Feb 2021 - Nov 2021

  Worked in-house as a creative director for Nike EMEA in conjunction with Nike Turkey, developing the storytelling and launch of 'HOPE Alkazar' – a physical space in the heart of Istanbul. Worked in-house as a creative director for Nike EMEA in conjunction with Nike Turkey, developing the storytelling and launch of 'HOPE Alkazar' – a physical space in the heart of Istanbul.



‘SAHTEN’ صحتين – The SkatePal Cookbook

• Palestine

• Creative Director, Editor & Designer

  • Jan 2020 - Dec 2020

  ‘SAHTEN’ صحتين is a portrait of the current skateboarding scene in Palestine, but told in the form of a cookbook. Featuring recipes from local skaters, their families, shop owners, local heroes, past volunteers, and even by Palestine’s own international master chef: Sami Tamimi (co-founder of OTTOLENGI). I've been volunteering with SkatePal since 2015 – predominately as an instructor and and occasional skatepark builder – and this 184-page book is the result of a need to broaden awareness of the organisation beyond the skateboard community (skaters don't have the $$$). After developing the curation with the SkatePal team, I gathered the majority of material during a 2019 trip to Palestine, then spent 2020 writing, editing, and designing the book. Hit the link below and pick up a copy. 100% of profits help to continue SkatePal's programmes... Show less



IKEA

• Netherlands
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Creative Lead

  • Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

  Worked in collaboration with Anomaly to help the big Swedish blue & yellow teach people how to become more green. We developed the a global sustainability platform: 'A Better World Starts At Home'. Then brought it to life with in-store events, workshops, short films, posters, installations, instruction manuals, packaging, cookbooks, children's books and even blanket forts. Worked in collaboration with Anomaly to help the big Swedish blue & yellow teach people how to become more green. We developed the a global sustainability platform: 'A Better World Starts At Home'. Then brought it to life with in-store events, workshops, short films, posters, installations, instruction manuals, packaging, cookbooks, children's books and even blanket forts.



WE ARE Pi

• Netherlands
• Marketing Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative

  • Oct 2015 - Sep 2017

  Joined a ship of pirates. Tried not to sink. Learnt how to navigate the canals of business & creativity, and kept the aquatic theme going by winning Campaign's 'Outstanding Creative Idea of the Year' for Desperados 'Deep House Party'. Almost convinced a fashion brand to make clothes for crabs. Joined a ship of pirates. Tried not to sink. Learnt how to navigate the canals of business & creativity, and kept the aquatic theme going by winning Campaign's 'Outstanding Creative Idea of the Year' for Desperados 'Deep House Party'. Almost convinced a fashion brand to make clothes for crabs.



Mr. President

• United Kingdom
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative

  • Nov 2013 - Oct 2015

  Embraced start-up culture. Built my little black book. Learnt how to get work off the PDF and into production. Made a film with Her Majesty The Queen and a Christmas album – Merry Krishnas – with the devotees of the Hare Krishna Temple across the street. It's a miracle I wasn't converted. Embraced start-up culture. Built my little black book. Learnt how to get work off the PDF and into production. Made a film with Her Majesty The Queen and a Christmas album – Merry Krishnas – with the devotees of the Hare Krishna Temple across the street. It's a miracle I wasn't converted.



Wieden + Kennedy

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Creative

  • Apr 2013 - Nov 2013

  Bugged my favourite creative team until they gave me a shot. Learnt from the best and loved every minute. Even witnessed Tony Davidson slam a giant marrow into the wall during a creative review. Then my creative partner punched a senior account director during a 5-a-side football game. Our contract was discontinued. I can laugh about it now. Bugged my favourite creative team until they gave me a shot. Learnt from the best and loved every minute. Even witnessed Tony Davidson slam a giant marrow into the wall during a creative review. Then my creative partner punched a senior account director during a 5-a-side football game. Our contract was discontinued. I can laugh about it now.



Mother

• United Kingdom
• Advertising Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Creative

  • Jan 2013 - Mar 2013

  ** Paid internship ** The only place I wanted to work whilst at art school. Worked across Stella Artois, Boots and UKTV. Didn't make anything apart from a few friends. Although I did become a writer for Mother's weekly 'Something For The Weekend' series. ** Paid internship ** The only place I wanted to work whilst at art school. Worked across Stella Artois, Boots and UKTV. Didn't make anything apart from a few friends. Although I did become a writer for Mother's weekly 'Something For The Weekend' series.



Channel 4

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• Creative

  • Oct 2012 - Dec 2012

  ** Paid internship ** Arrived shortly after the ground-breaking 'Meet The Superhumans' work for the 2012 Paralympics. Worked on Mating Season (a season of programming about modern romance), the horse-racing season (The Original Extreme Sport) and assisted on set for Black Mirror Season 2. I also pocketed enough free pick'n'mix from the screening room to warrant a lifetime ban. ** Paid internship ** Arrived shortly after the ground-breaking 'Meet The Superhumans' work for the 2012 Paralympics. Worked on Mating Season (a season of programming about modern romance), the horse-racing season (The Original Extreme Sport) and assisted on set for Black Mirror Season 2. I also pocketed enough free pick'n'mix from the screening room to warrant a lifetime ban.



D&AD

• United Kingdom
• Design Services
• 300 - 400 Employee

• New Blood Academy

  • Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

  After winning a D&AD Student Award, I applied to the New Blood Academy and (after a gruelling process) was awarded a place on the prestigious four-week creative bootcamp alongside 24 other creatives from around the world, working on live projects for Google, MPC, Mother and Brothers & Sisters, as well as curating an exhibition for Dazed & Confused. http://www.dandad.org/en/new-blood-academy/ After winning a D&AD Student Award, I applied to the New Blood Academy and (after a gruelling process) was awarded a place on the prestigious four-week creative bootcamp alongside 24 other creatives from around the world, working on live projects for Google, MPC, Mother and Brothers & Sisters, as well as curating an exhibition for Dazed & Confused. http://www.dandad.org/en/new-blood-academy/



Inhabit Magazine

• Leeds, United Kingdom

• Contributor

  • Feb 2012 - Jul 2012

  A short-lived electronic music publication that ran in print and online. Made up of a small team of contributors based in the UK, Germany & America. I wrote reviews for new releases and ran interviews with labels. A short-lived electronic music publication that ran in print and online. Made up of a small team of contributors based in the UK, Germany & America. I wrote reviews for new releases and ran interviews with labels.



Vic53

• Leeds, United Kingdom

• Founder & Host

  • Feb 2011 - Jul 2012

  As close as I'll ever get to pirate radio. Founded in the basement of our student house before upscaling to Waxwerks record store. A live fortnightly audio-visual showcase pushing music from the north of England. Partnered with DJ's from various collectives across Leeds & Manchester and sustained a community of 500-1000 regular listeners. As close as I'll ever get to pirate radio. Founded in the basement of our student house before upscaling to Waxwerks record store. A live fortnightly audio-visual showcase pushing music from the north of England. Partnered with DJ's from various collectives across Leeds & Manchester and sustained a community of 500-1000 regular listeners.



The Garage

• Leeds, United Kingdom

• Bartender

  • 2009 - 2012

  A formative time in a crooked club. A formative time in a crooked club.



The Big Chill Festival

• Fire-tower Supervisor

  • 2010 - 2010

  Sat atop a big scaffolding structure with a walkie-talkie and a bottle of rum. Sat atop a big scaffolding structure with a walkie-talkie and a bottle of rum.



Shifty People Ltd.

• Perth, Australia

• Door Salesman

  • 2009 - 2009

  A bit like that film American Honey, but instead of phony magazines, we sold garage doors and roller-shutters. Five soul-crushing weeks of... "Hello there, my name's Tom, would you li-" *SLAM* A bit like that film American Honey, but instead of phony magazines, we sold garage doors and roller-shutters. Five soul-crushing weeks of... "Hello there, my name's Tom, would you li-" *SLAM*



MeMams Place

• Perth, Australia

• Baker

  • 2009 - 2009

  So... many... muffins. So... many... muffins.



Ski Total

• The Alps, France

• Chalet Host

  • 2008 - 2009

  Trained as a chef. Went to the mountains. Mastered the way of the creme bruleé, and going down snowy hills really fast. Trained as a chef. Went to the mountains. Mastered the way of the creme bruleé, and going down snowy hills really fast.



King Edward VI School

• Suffolk

• Cleaner

  • 2006 - 2007

  Started my career in the boys toilets, but climbed the ladder to become 'head buffer' a.k.a. chief operating officer of those machines that make corridor floors so shiny. Started my career in the boys toilets, but climbed the ladder to become 'head buffer' a.k.a. chief operating officer of those machines that make corridor floors so shiny.



Suffolk Swallow Hotel

• Waiter / Kitchen Porter

  • 2004 - 2006

  Developed an early love for washing dishes, and an early hatred for old men who play golf. Developed an early love for washing dishes, and an early hatred for old men who play golf.



Power Rod

• Drain cleaner

  • 2000 - 2004

  As the son of a white van man, working with my Dad taught me three very important life lessons: 1. Always offer a cup of tea. 2. Everyones shit stinks. 3. A hi-vis jacket can get you in anywhere. As the son of a white van man, working with my Dad taught me three very important life lessons: 1. Always offer a cup of tea. 2. Everyones shit stinks. 3. A hi-vis jacket can get you in anywhere.



The shop on the corner

• Paperboy

  • 2002 - 2002

  Age 12. Delivered 410 newspapers. Took me 8 hours. Got paid £21.50. Witnessed my mum nearly floor the geezer from the off-licence that employed me. Age 12. Delivered 410 newspapers. Took me 8 hours. Got paid £21.50. Witnessed my mum nearly floor the geezer from the off-licence that employed me.