Client Director

• Oct 2022 - Present

Creative Account Handler

• Feb 2015 - Oct 2022

I am currently employed as a Creative Account Handler at We Are Ghost and these are exciting times to be working in our industry. I was given a simple instruction from the MD of We Are Ghost; bring strategic thinking to the business and design processes, to then help clients get more creativity from the agency. Using my combined abilities, I set about achieving better direction from clients through my evolving processes. My role at We Are Ghost involves:• Working closely with clients to develop ideas• Strategising our approach to new product ranges or businesses• Strategising, planning and executing branding sessions • Responsibility for the agency’s strategic output• Interpretation of brief from the client, then pushing for more information when required • Develop full branding of new product ranges or businesses• Develop designs with the creative team • Producing all pitch documents• Write branding session documents and steer the creative team • Pitching directly to clients; brand reports, concept ideas and designs• Oversee multiple projects and keeping to deadlines • Liaise with clients to keep them informed at each stage of a project.My key skills at We Are Ghost:• Account management• Leading strategist• Producing quotes and understanding client budgets• Organising and motivating a creative team• Understanding the nurturing of loyalty in others to a project• Understanding the language of communication to explain conceptual ideas• B2B and B2C understanding• Mentoring a young creative team• Creative thinker.Example client projects:• Lohmann & Rauscher – Various promotional campaigns• Diono – Branding campaign• Celebration Packaging – Full branding• Parker Pens (UK) – Targeted seasonal campaign My time at We Are Ghost is very exciting being able to develop my thinking and applied strategy to an already successful business. Never stop learning. Show less

Head of Studio & Creative Services

• Mar 2008 - Nov 2014

My time at ORB started with three guys in a broom cupboard office at the Jewellery Quarter’s Big Peg, but ended with arguably one of the most successful branding agencies in Birmingham. Responsible for direction of all conceptual and creative output, overseeing projects from brand identities to marketing campaigns. I also worked very closely with young strategists and account handlers, mentoring their creative approach to branding and design as a whole. My role at ORB involved: • Build a creative environment for the whole team and oversee all output of ideas • Take responsibility for the agency’s creative philosophy and the standard of creative output • Develop ideas for advertising, promotional campaigns and branding projects • Oversee multiple projects from start to finish, keeping to deadlines and signing off on these projects before they are presented • Assist the strategists in planning and executing the ‘drawing board’ branding sessions • With the strategists, write branding session documents and create the visual content • Produce the branding session documents from the branding session • Pitching directly to clients our brand reports, concept ideas and designs • Liaise with clients to keep them informed at each stage of a project • Hire and manage the creative team. My key skills at ORB: • Understanding and quoting client budgets • Organising and motivating a creative team • Understanding the nurturing of loyalty in others to a project and the company • Developing the language of communication in explaining conceptual ideas • Mentoring the team of designers, illustrators, strategists and account handling team. Example client projects: • NHS Dudley – Various promotional campaigns • Glide Utilities – Branding and promotional campaigns • Astbury Hall – Full branding • Commercial Express – Full branding My time at ORB was amazing and I felt it allowed me to develop my thinking and I’m glad of that experience. Show less

Head of Creative & Co-Founder

• Sep 2001 - Mar 2008

My time at Ghost Creations was a great adventure. To start up your own business and give it all your energy and then see it thrive, was an amazing experience. As Head of Creative, I directed all conceptual and creative output, overseeing projects as diverse as marketing campaigns, branding identities and marketing strategies. I also help my team to develop creatively since we wanted a company where talent could grow. Our clients were mainly international brands and regional businesses, so my role would involve initial meetings with clients, establish the requirements of the project, conceptualising our approach from the brief and then develop those ideas with my team. My role at Ghost Creations involved: • Build a creative environment for the whole team to work in and oversee all output of ideas • Take responsibility for the agency’s creative philosophy and the standard of creative output • Develop ideas for advertising, promotional campaigns and branding projects • Oversee multiple projects from start to finish, keeping to deadlines and signing off on these projects before they are presented • Pitching directly to clients our concept ideas and designs • Liaise with clients to keep them informed at each stage of a project • Understand the commercial aspects of the agency • Hire and manage the creative team. A few client projects I have worked on: • Curver (Global) – Full service • Daimler-Chrysler (UK) – National dealer events marketing • Masterlock – In-store marketing • Busy Bees Nurseries – Full service My time at Ghost Creations was wonderful, but I felt a need for the next chapter in my career, so with a heavy heart I left Ghost Creations. Show less

Senior Graphic Designer & Studio Manager

• Jun 1995 - Sep 2001

My role at WHM & Partners was as the Studio Manager and Senior Designer for the agency. Working along side the Creative Director, I would ensure all output of work was to the required level and met the clients brief. I would also be the studios liaison person with the Account Handlers, and report directly to the Managing Director of project progress. As the Senior Designer, I was also creatively involved in all aspects of the agency output, while guiding the studio to improved creative output and productivity. Our clients were mainly premium clients, being the sole agency for The NEC Group, Bristol Street Motors, Webasto and West Midlands Travel; now part of National Express. Show less

Senior Graphic Designer

• Sep 1993 - Jun 1995

My role as Senior Designer was to lead all creative work and ensure the quality was consistent and of a high level. The work ranged was varied, but included brand identifies, catalogues, advertising for print, campaigns for product launches and annual reports. My role also involved branding various TV programmes. A highlight for me was being complimented by the TV host Gordon Burns about the overall design for his new game show 'A Word In Your Ear'. Sadly, the show didn't get past it's first series on BBC One. Show less

Graphic Designer

• Jul 1992 - Sep 1993

My role was as the Graphic Designer in charge of primarily created title sequences logos, broadcaster idents for TV programmes, for clients ranging from the British Athletics Commission to Swedish news channels and the BBC. Working with editors, producers and directors; my designs would then heavily influence the visual style of the overall production. My role was as the Graphic Designer in charge of primarily created title sequences logos, broadcaster idents for TV programmes, for clients ranging from the British Athletics Commission to Swedish news channels and the BBC. Working with editors, producers and directors; my designs would then heavily influence the visual style of the overall production.

Graphic Designer Internship

• Jun 1990 - Sep 1990

In its day, Stonewall Productions were the main (possibly only) TV and film production company in Birmingham. Based in the JQ, Stonewall where heavily involved in editing and title sequence production for both TV and the film industry. I remember being sat watching them working; editing top secret TV shows, news idents and independent films, thinking how scary it looked and how much I wanted to be part of it. For two months I did very little work, but learnt loads during my internship. In its day, Stonewall Productions were the main (possibly only) TV and film production company in Birmingham. Based in the JQ, Stonewall where heavily involved in editing and title sequence production for both TV and the film industry. I remember being sat watching them working; editing top secret TV shows, news idents and independent films, thinking how scary it looked and how much I wanted to be part of it. For two months I did very little work, but learnt loads during my internship.