As Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy China, I oversee 2 of the biggest Ogilvy offices in APAC, Shanghai and Beijing, with nearly 2000 people between them and over 250 creatives in digital, social, branded content and traditional media and PR.
Hired as Executive Creative Director and ran all groups at M&C Saatchi, including agency, traditional and digital, PR and BTL. Helped turn M&C Saatchi into most awarded agency in London in 2010.
Set up thefinktank, a conceptual production company with Deirdre Allen.
We made commercials, music videos and short films.
Also founded theartschool. A very different type of art school, aimed at helping students get into the business of advertising, art and design. Meetings were held on a monthly basis in various secret locations. The last one we did was held at Parliament, in the House of Commons.
Over 150 students attended.
Swapped to the other side of advertising, and became a film director. Making commercials, music videos and a short films. 'A short film called Z', was commissioned by David Puttnam and the Millennium council, and was shortlisted for a BAFTA.
Had a great 4 years here. I ran a small group of creatives and worked on the famous Silk Cut campaign ( including Shower Curtain and Birds concepts). Many awards followed. I also created the British Airways 'FACE ' commercial directed by Hugh Hudson. It is now regarded as one the 100 greatest ads of all time.
It was a frustrating time and after three months i resigned. Sparks flew and so did a yucca plant!
The next day i was hired by Paul Arden at Saatchi and Saatchi.
Got a job at CDP, which was then the best ad agency in the world. They didn't hire juniors, so I went back the next day dressed up as an old man. They hired me!
A great 6 years here. I won my first D&AD pencil, for a topical ad for Hamlet Cigars with Ian Botham cheekily smoking a Hamlet cigar the same day he was banned from Test Cricket for smoking dope.
Hired by the legendary Terry Lovelock of Heineken fame (Heineken refreshes the parts other beers cannot reach ), my first job after 115 interviews. The agency was unfortuntely sold three months later and everyone was made redundant.