Creative Direction

Creative Director on global/local projects

Creative Director on global/local pitches

I have been the CCO of 3 major network ad agencies in London. Ogilvy, Y&R and Havas. And featured on Campaign Magazine’s annual top creative director list at each of them. I have also been a CD at BBH.

Feb 2016 - Feb 2019.

As part of a new management team brought in the rebuild the Ogilvy brand in the UK, I helped take Ogilvy from a revenue of - 35% to + 70% by winning and bedding in 12 new business pitches in 12 months. Including Boots, Vodafone, BA, & Sipsmith.

The most successful year for new business in Ogilvy history. Helping the agency to its first ever shortlist for Campaign Agency of the Year in 2017.

This remarkable transformation was due to galvanising the entire agency around our philosophy of ‘All Roads Lead To The Work’. This collective responsibility also manifested itself in some of the most talked about, and awarded creative work in London, across a number of accounts including BA, Amnesty International, Boots, Trebor, and UCL. Contributing to Ogilvy winning Cannes Network of the year every year I was there.

And leading to me being recognised on Campaign’s top creative director list at my third agency in a row. An achievement that has yet to be beaten.

“Mick is a very special creative to work with. He quickly forms very strong partnerships with all those he works with - be they clients, strategists, account people or producers. He keeps everyone relentlessly focused on the quality of work that can be delivered through these partnerships. He’s an outstanding asset for any business or client.”

Charlie Rudd. Group CEO of Leo Burnett. Ex CEO of Ogilvy.

Aug 2013 - Jan 2016.

During a of period of much change at the agency, I oversaw the agency’s cornerstone British brands and produced many successful campaigns,

including the BBC’s first ever social led launch of a major sporting event, for the Commonwealth Games and one of the most talked about and awarded print and online campaigns in the UK for the Royal British Legion, marking the centenary of WW1. I also won a gold Arrow for Vodafone.

In recognition of the creative work during my tenure I was placed 8th in Campaign Magazine’s annual top creative director list.

Dec 2009 - July 2013.

During my tenure Havas enjoyed the most creatively awarded period in its 22 year history. This included winning the agency’s first ever D&AD pencils.

As a result, Havas London was ranked #22 in the world’s 100 most awarded agencies 2012, and #6 in the UK. I was also featured at #5 in the UK’s 100 most awarded creatives.

Not only did our work for VO5, Durex, Dulux, and Chivas win in traditional categories such as film and film craft but also in branded content, technical innovation, social media, web design, game design, integrated campaign, and interactive. We were also recognised by TED.

During my time at Havas we didn’t lose a single client and became a fixture on Campaign’s top ten new business league for over 3 years.

I was also the first CCO from Havas ever to feature in Campaign’s annual top creative director list.

“Mick is an extraordinary creative partner. He is a teammate who commits and collaborates to get to the best solutions. He has a dangerous mind that can not only make lateral leaps, but also inspire those in teams around him to do so. He is agnostic in his approach and celebrates innovation, but never for the sake of it.”

Russ Lidstone. President, Inizio Engage XD - Ex CEO of Havas

Feb 2006 - Nov 2009.

I was fortunate enough to work in probably the most awarded creative department in the world at that time, in an agency whose sole focus was to make great work.

I ran British Airways, Vodafone, Johnnie Walker, and Persil during my 3+ years as a CD/GCD at BBH. (And Woolworths! Quite possibly the most fun I’ve ever had on an account.) I also got to work with some of the best directors and photographers in the world.

I was the most awarded creative director at BBH two years running.

BBH was also Agency of the Year twice during my time there.

CREATIVE CONSULTANCY

CREATIVE WRITING