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 say your idea in a sentence, you don’t have one.”
This quote is in a frame on my desk.
I’ve worked in agencies for 15 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, provided guidance for 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 songs 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.
But 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 I Wood Pencil I Print Craft
D&AD Awards I Wood Pencil I Craft for Advertising
Cannes Lions I Shortlist I Print Craft
Cannes Lions I Shortlist I Print Craft
Cannes Lions. I Shortlist I Poster Craft
Cannes Lions I Shortlist I Poster Craft
Kinsale Sharks I Gold I FIlm
Kinsale Sharks I Bronze I Stunts/Live Events
Kinsale Sharks I Bronze I PR & News Story
Kinsale Sharks I Shortlist I Print & Outdoor
Kinsale Sharks I Shortlist I Print & Outdoor
Kinsale Sharks I Shortlist I Print & Outdoor
Clio Awards I Bronze I Print
Clio Awards - Shortlist - Art Direction
Clio Awards - Shortlist x Media Experience & Activation
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
Cresta I Gold I The #OMG Award
Cresta I Silver I Ambient & Experiential
Cresta I Silver I Technology and The Future
Cresta I Silver I Cultural Impact
Cresta I Silver I The ‘Wish We’d Thought Of That’ Award (Shield the Protest)
Cresta I Silver I The ‘Wish We’d Thought Of That’ Award (DHL Yesterdelivery)
Cresta I Silver I Media
Cresta I Bronze I Ambient
Cresta I Bronze I Experiential
Cresta I Bronze I Print Craft
Cresta I Bronze I Print & OOH
Cresta I Bronze I The #OMG Award
Epica I Silver I Luxury & Premium Brands
Epica I Shortlist I Automotive
New York Festivals I Bronze I Art Direction
New York Festivals I Finalist I Best Production
New York Festivals I Finalist I Cinematography
LIA I Bronze I Production Design
Campaign Big I Shortlist I Automotive
The Aerial Radio Awards I Gold I Hive 'Super Fast Anytime'
Loeries I Silver I PR & Media Communication
Loeries I Bronze I Radio Station Commercials
Loeries I Bronze I Radio Craft
Loeries I 8 x Shortlists
Webby Awards I Shortlist I Native Advertising
Webby Awards I Shortlist I Public Service & Activism
New York Festivals I Finalist I Social Media & Viral Marketing
Creative Circle I Shortlist. I Best Digital-led Campaign
Creative Circle I Shortlist I Best Social Networking Campaign
Andy’s Regional I Shortlist I DHL Yesterdelivery
Andy’s Global I Shortlist I DHL Yesterdelivery
Work History
Creative Director I And_Us Dubai 2025 - Present
Creative Director/Lead Copywriter I Horizon FCB Dubai 2023 - 2025
Creative Director I Dentsu McGarryBowen London 2021 - 2022
Senior Copywriter I RTO+P Philadelphia 2019 - 2020
Creative Copywriter CHI&Partners/The&Partnership London 2013 - 2019
Creative Copywriter I Dare London 2010 - 2013