About Colin
Copywriter / Creative Director
From Liverpool.
Studied advertising at Watford under the late great Tony Cullingham.
Concept to craft, I’m all about the ideas.
Ideas grounded in human truths or behavioural insights executed in fun and engaging ways.
In the words of my old tutor Tony Cullingham: ”If you can’t sum your idea up in a sentence, you don’t have one.”
This quote is in a frame on my desk as a reminder.
I’ve worked in agencies for 13 years in the UK and US and currently Dubai. Am fortunate enough to have concepted, sold-in and crafted campaigns for countless brands like Lexus, The Times, DAZN, Southern Comfort, Godiva, British Gas, GoCompare, Argos, The Balvenie, TalkTalk, Dietz&Watson, the Original Donut Shop Coffee & Tetley tea to name a few.
I’ve led new business pitches. Won some, lost some, learned from all of them.
Over the years I have provided creative direction to many a less-wrinkled creative than myself, which has included running the placement schemes in most agencies I’ve worked at.
Best of all though, I’ve heard my scripted words boom out from the iconic voice-box of Professor Stephen Hawking.
I’m always writing.
Whether it ads, music albums, short films, or most recently my first comedy tight 5.
Even though I’ve performed my music in front of thousands of people, I feel sick at the thought of performing a standup set.
Which is why I want to do it.
And if they don’t laugh at the jokes, they’ll at least laugh at how bad i am.
A laugh is a laugh is a laugh as they say.
That’s showbiz baby.
Awards
I’ve picked up awards across TV, Print, OOH, Experiential, Social and Digital media. But as the great Everton striker Duncan Ferguson once said about scoring goals; “the most important one is the next one.”
D&AD Awards - Pencil - Outdoor Advertising Poster Campaign
D&AD Awards - Pencil - Craft for Advertising
Cannes Lions -Shortlist - Print Craft
Cannes Lions -Shortlist - Print Craft
Cannes Lions - Finalist - Poster Craft
Cannes Lions - Finalist - Poster Craft
Kinsale Sharks - Gold
Kinsale Sharks - Bronze x 2
Clio Awards - Bronze - Print
Clio Awards - Shortlist - Art Direction
Clio Awards - Shortlist x 2
Eurobest - Gold - Film Craft - Achievement in Production
Eurobest - Silver - Film Craft - Art Direction
Eurobest - Shortlist - Film Craft - Direction
Eurobest - Shortlist - Film Craft - Cinematography
Dubai Lynx - shortlist x 2
Epica - Silver - Luxury & Premium Brands
Epica - Shortlist - Automobiles
New York Festivals - Bronze - Art Direction
New York Festivals - Finalist - Best Production
New York Festivals - Finalist - Cinematography
LIA - Bronze - Production Design
Campaign Big - Shortlist - Automotive
The Aerial Radio Awards - Gold - Hive 'Super Fast Anytime'
Loeries - Silver
Loeries - Bronze - Radio Station Commercials
Loeries - Finalist - Radio Crafts Advertising
Loeries - Finalist x 8
Webby Awards - Honoree - Native Advertising
Webby Awards - Honoree - Public Service & Activism
New York Festivals - Finalist - Social Media & Viral Marketing
Creative Circle - Shortlist - Best Digital-led Campaign
Creative Circle - Shortlist - Best Social Networking Campaign
Andy’s Regional - shortlist
Andy’s Global - shortlist
Work
Feb 2023 - Present Creative Director/Lead Copywriter at Horizon FCB
Past roles:
Dentsu McGarryBowen London
Creative Director / Copywriter
Feb 2021 - May 2022
Red Tettemer Philadelphia
Senior Creative Copywriter
2019 - 2020
CHI&Partnerts/The & Partnership London
Senior Creative Copywriter
2013 - 2019
Dare London
Creative Copywriter
2010 - 2013