We enjoy bringing an explosion of energy, ideas, and marketing strategy to organisations with turnovers generally up to £20 million; big enough to action bold creative ideas, small enough for owners to still be directly engaged and involved.
We have a terrific team behind our projects, but this is the guy that holds it all together.
Hello, I’m an ambivert (a person with both introvert and extrovert qualities) whose duality enables spontaneous idea generation AND reflective long-term vision.
I’ve enjoyed a varied and eclectic career, operating successfully within diverse professions such as script writing, directing, interviewing, standup comedy, university lecturing, graphic design, film-making, photography and (with Hide the Shark) leadership through creative studio ownership. I’m a wearer of many hats, with storytelling as the theme that binds them together.
For many years, I regarded my ambivertism as a weakness; age and experience have made me realise that the ability to operate energetically and responsively is a valuable gift when collaborating with clients, building creative teams, and helping brands communicate more empathically and effectively with their internal and external audiences.
In my Creative Director as a Service capacity, I enjoy working informally with senior leaders who use me to save time and money by keeping an objective eye on potential marketing, brand, and messaging angles whilst they bash out the shaping of new business ideas, projects, or products. I can also Art Direct for campaigns and projects.
Get in touch to find out how my positive approach can help you.
Branding, rebranding and repositioning
brand audit . competitor analysis . audience insight . pipeline strategy . personality . purpose . mission, vision, values . core proposition . messaging . tone of voice . copywriting
brand identity
id . collateral . guidelines . onboarding
Creative Direction as a Service
Use us a flexible ‘instant agency’.
marketing strategy . creative campaigns . copywriting . photography . film . creative collateral . pitch & public speaking support
We have a whole host of happy clients who would love to tell you about their experiences with us.
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“ HtS has an extraordinary ability to grasp and articulate our organisation's personality and commercial offering. The team have a unique approach, recognising the importance of storytelling and emotion and translating this effectively into commercial returns.
The design and messaging work they are doing with us will be fundamental to driving our global growth. ”
Jimmy Lloyd Director. Saragossa -
“ Since the brand refresh we have more new business coming in than we can resource - a great problem to have! ”
Gemma Comley Head of Marketing. Ghyston
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“ We’re so lucky to have worked with Hide the Shark’s talented team. They shook us up and make us proud to work here. I’m so excited to see where this rebrand is going to take us in the future ”
Ian Carlson MD. Old Mill
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“ What you helped us achieve with the 'More than Medicine' campaign has been transformational for the charity. We use it in nine centres across the UK and will continue to use it more widely. This campaign is something that I will always be very proud of. ”
Tracy Tait Brand and Marketing Director, Penny Brohn UK
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“ Hide the Shark's branding concept developed for our classical season is fresh, creative, bold and enticing. In response to our brief, it is close to perfect, resulting in the hall's most successful classical season ever. ”
Sarah Robertson Communications and Special Projects Director. Colston Hall
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“ HtS's talented team made our rebrand project such a positive experience. Delivering many elements within a tight deadline, they beautifully captured our essence and brought us to life with their unique storytelling style. The result is a bold, modern and engaging brand that sets us apart. ”
Kim Barnard Group Marketing Manager. Old Mill
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“ Hide the Shark were great to work with, responded well to a changing brief and came up with a really creative proposition and brand identity for our supporter programme. ”
Soil Association
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“ Hide the Shark have the ability to fully understand what is required and deliver what is becoming increasingly rare -the elusive ‘WOW’ factor. ”
Jane Shergold Director. TTA Communications
