About me

ECD / CD, Copywriter & Director with over 20 years experience. Multiple gongs at D&AD, Cannes Lions, One Show, Tomorrow Awards, Webby's, Lovies, Eurobest, LIA, FWA, Creative Circle, & many more. BAFTA Best Director nomination. I've worked in collaboration with my creative partner and wife Gemma Butler since 1996. We thrive on creating great ideas and comms for great brands and organisations. In our time we’ve created music videos, TVCs, brand films, interactive experiences, posters, social campaigns, PR-led creative, radio ads, theme songs, DM print and more. We've created new products with our clients. We've named and created brands. We always aim to surprise audiences with the new, the wonderful, the unexpected. And to have a positive impact on society and the environment wherever and whenever possible. We're positive, approachable and ready to consider all sorts of nonsense, big or small. So go on and give us a shout. Cheers 👍🏼

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Projects

• Isle of Raasay Distillery - Dùn CanaDùn Cana Sherry Quarter Cask is a new release from the Inner Hebridean distillery. A bold expression of Raasay's mighty volcanic mountain, erupting with flavour and flare. This announcement film was inspired by the ancient history of the island, the majesty of the landscape and of course chiefly by Dùn Cana itself - the ancient, huge volcanic plug that sits proudly as the highest point for miles around. Every drop of water used by Raasay Distillery comes from their own well. This water has bee
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  Albert Bartlett - Make It ExtraordinaryFollowing our successful collaboration on 2019's Dream Team, Edinburgh agency Guy & Co asked World Headquarters to take the creative reins on their next major campaign for the UK's favourite potato brand. Featuring a trio of supremely talented Canadian acrobats including rising star Jacob Grégoire, the 40" TVC and cinema ad follows the journey of a single rooster potato through a fantastical version of the Albert Bartlett picking line, into a bag and onto a dining table at home as a delicious ro
• Rowse ChocoBeeWe worked with one of our regular collaborators The Liberty Guild to help Rowse Honey launch a new chocolate spread called ChocoBee. Rowse ChocoBee is the ultimate anti-Nutella. No added sugar. No palm oil. No dairy. No nuts. In fact, ChocoBee only has two ingredients. Honey and Cocoa. Rowse ChocoBee is as sweet and delicious as it is completely, naturally innocent. Our idea was to create two charming storybook characters to represent the goodness and childhood innocence inherent in ChocoBee. Ho
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  Albert Bartlett - Dream TeamWorld Headquarters were engaged by Edinburgh agency Guy&Co to create a major new campaign for their client, Britain's favourite potato brand, Albert Bartlett. The brief was to achieve fame by using a celebrity, a partnership or a music track. We felt that the brand had already been there, done that with the celeb route thanks to its previous ads starring Marcia Cross. We decided that sponsoring one of the big TV talent shows might reach a large audience but would lack genuine relevance and cut-
• Edinburgh Gin - Filled With WonderIn 2019 Glasgow agency Bright Signals asked World Headquarters to help them create Edinburgh Gin's first ever TV spot. Working from a strong strategic positioning based around 'natural wonder', we wrote several scripts which explored the key brand themes of natural ingredients, Edinburgh as the 'urban eden' and the all-important wonderful taste. But one script was the clear winner - for ourselves at WHQ, for Bright Signals and for the client. Of course, it was the most ambitious, most challeng
• BBC Radio 1 - MusicubesBack when only the cool kids knew about MySpace (we didn’t, until we spoke to a creative technologist), we conceived the world’s first ever branded online widget, for BBC Radio 1. Musicubes allowed young music fans to personalise their ‘musical DNA’ and show it off to their friends. The Musicube towers not only showcased the huge range of music played by Radio 1, they also prompted users to listen again via the in-built iPlayer function. The campaign was a huge success, spreading the word of R

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Work history

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Founder, Creative DirectorWorld Headquarters
Sep 2017North Berwick, UKFull Time
A creative micro-agency laser focused on good stuff.
Executive Creative Director & Managing PartnerDigitas
Jan 2017 - Aug 2017Edinburgh, United KingdomFull Time

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Skills

• Film Direction
• Copywriting
• Advertising Concepts
• Advertising Campaigns
• Digital Creative
• Creative Direction

Education

BA (Hons) Visual Communication - Film and TVEdinburgh College of Art
Sep 1993 - Aug 1996Edinburgh, United Kingdom
BAFTA Scotland Best Director Nominee (1996); FujiFilm Scholarship Award (1996); Helen A. Rose Bequest Committee Award for Outstanding Final Year Work (1996); Andrew Grant Bequest Award for Outstanding Humanities Work (1995)

Awards

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Advertising AwardsMultiple
D&AD Awards 2005 - Wooden Pencil - Online Advertising D&AD Awards 2006 - Wooden Pencil - Digital Crafts D&AD Awards 2006 - Wooden Pencil - Microsites D&AD Awards 2007 - Yellow Pencil - Online Advertising D&AD Awards 2007 - Graphite Pencil - Digital Advertising Campaigns D&AD Awards 2007 - Wooden Pencil - Digital Advertising Campaigns D&AD Awards 2007 - Wooden Pencil - Microsites D&AD Awards 2010 - Graphite Pencil - Online Games D&AD Awards 2012 - Yellow Pencil - Digital Advertising D&AD Awards 2012 - Yellow Pencil - Integrated & Earned Media D&AD Awards 2012 - Wooden Pencil - Integrated Digital Campaigns Cannes Lions 2003 - Bronze - Cyber Cannes Lions 2004 - Gold - Cyber Cannes Lions 2004 - Bronze - Cyber Cannes Lions 2006 - Silver - Cyber Cannes Lions 2007 - Shortlist - Cyber Cannes Lions 2007 - Shortlist - Cyber Cannes Lions 2009 - Bronze - Cyber Cannes Lions 2009 - Silver - Cyber Cannes Lions 2012 - Silver - Cyber Cannes Lions 2012 - Silver - Cyber Cannes Lions 2012 - Bronze - Cyber Cannes Lions 2012 - Shortlist - Cyber One Show Interactive 2006 - Bronze One Show Interactive 2006 - Bronze One Show Interactive Creative Showcase 2006 One Show Interactive 2007 - Merit One Show Interactive 2008 - Merit One Show Interactive 2008 - Merit One Show Interactive 2008 - Merit One Show Interactive 2009 - Merit One Show Entertainment 2010 - Bronze One Show Interactive 2013 - Merit Webby Awards 2008 - Honoree - Viral Marketing Webby Awards 2008 - Nominee - Automotive Webby Awards 2008 - Honoree - Best Visual Design Webby Awards 2008 - Honoree - Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics Webby Awards 2008 - Winner - Best Music Site Webby Awards 2009 - Winner - Best Automotive Site Webby Awards 2013 - Honoree - Online Advertising: Branded Content Webby Awards 2013 - Honoree - Online Advertising: Media & Entertainment Webby Awards 2014 - Nominee - Social: Weird Webby Awards 2016 - Nominee - Social: Fashion Lovie Awards 2011 - Silver - Music Lovie Awards 2012 - Bronze - Online Advertising: Integrated Experience Lovie Awards 2012 - Gold, People’s Vote - Online Advertising: Integrated Experience Lovie Awards 2012 - Silver - Website: Craft: Design Lovie Awards 2012 - Gold, People’s Vote - Website: Craft: Design Lovie Awards 2012 - Silver - Website: Craft: HTML5 Lovie Awards 2012 - Gold, People’s Vote - Website: Craft: HTML5 Lovie Awards 2012 - Silver - Website: Movie & Film Lovie Awards 2012 - Gold, People’s Vote - Website: Movie & Film Lovie Awards 2015 - Bronze - Online Advertising: Social Campaign Lovie Awards 2015 - Bronze - Social: Photography Creative Circle Honours 2008 - Bronze - Best Social Networking Creative Circle Honours 2008 - In Book - Best Microsite Creative Circle Honours 2009 - Bronze - Best Online Advertising Creative Circle Honours 2009 - Bronze - Best Advertising Microsite Creative Circle Honours 2010 - Silver - Most Innovative Digital Campaign Creative Circle Honours 2010 - Silver - Best Viral Marketing Creative Circle Honours 2012 - Gold - Best Digital-led Campaign Creative Circle Honours 2013 - Silver - Digital Craft: Best Animation Creative Circle Honours 2013 - Finalist - Best Site / Microsite Creative Circle Honours 2016 - Bronze - Best Social Networking Campaign Creative Circle Honours 2016 - Bronze - Digital Craft: Best Art Direction Eurobest 2008 - Gold - Websites: Automotive Eurobest 2008 - Silver - Other Interactive Digital Solutions - Community Applications Eurobest 2009 - Gold - Interactive Campaign Direct Awards 2005 - Best Use of Digital Media Campaign Digital Awards 2006 - Runner-Up - Best Use of Interactive Campaign Digital Awards 2006 - Winner - Automotive Campaign's Annual 2006 - Top 10 Digital Ads of the Year Campaign's Annual 2006 - Top 10 Digital Ads of the Year Campaign Digital Awards 2007 - Winner - Media & Publications Campaign Digital Awards 2007 - Finalist - Automotive Campaign's Book of Lists 2007 - Number One Digital Ad of the Year Campaign's Book of Lists 2007 - Top 10 Digital Ads of the Year Campaign BIG Awards 2008 - Finalist - Digital: Alcoholic Drinks Campaign BIG Awards 2008 - Winner - Digital: Automotive Campaign BIG Awards 2008 - Winner - Digital: I.T. & Technology Campaign BIG Awards 2009 - Finalist - Media & Entertainment Campaign's Annual 2009 - Top 10 Digital Ads of the Decade Campaign's Annual 2009 - Top 10 Digital Ads of the Decade Campaign BIG Awards 2010 - Finalist - Digital: I.T. & Technology ADC Young Guns Awards 2008 - Silver ADC Young Guns Awards 2009 - Gold ADC Tomorrow Awards 2010 - Winner ADC Tomorrow Awards 2011 - Shortlist Epica 2009 - Gold New York Festivals 2013 - Finalist - Design: Digital Design LIA Awards 2007 - Finalist - Interactive Banner LIA Awards 2007 - Finalist - Automotive LIA Awards 2008 - Silver - Automotive LIA Awards 2009 - Gold - Digital: Electronic Equipment LIA Awards 2009 - Silver - Digital: Games Clio Awards 2008 - Shortlist Creative Review The Annual 2006 - Best In Book Creative Review The Annual 2006 - In Book Creative Review The Annual 2006 - In Book Creative Review The Annual 2008 - In Book Creative Review The Annual 2012 - Best In Book BIMA 2006 - Winner - Best Microsite BIMA 2006 - Shortlist - Best Innovation BIMA 2007 - Shortlist - Best Microsite BIMA 2007 - Shortlist - Best Microsite BIMA 2008 - Winner - Social Media Category BIMA 2008 - Winner - Social Media: Best Network Application BIMA 2008 - Shortlist - B2C: Content & Design Award BIMA 2008 - Shortlist - Website: Production Award BIMA 2009 - Shortlist - Advertising Microsite BIMA 2009 - Shortlist - Microsoft Achievement Award: Innovation BIMA 2009 - Shortlist - Interactive Advertising BIMA 2012 - Shortlist BIMA 2012 - Shortlist BIMA 2012 - Shortlist BIMA 2015 - Shortlist - Consumer Retailers BIMA 2015 - Shortlist - Consumer Retailers BIMA 2016 - Shortlist - Automotive BIMA 2016 - Shortlist - Jury Prize for Best Work on a Smaller Budget FAB Awards 2005 - Winner - Savoury Foods FAB Awards 2009 - Nominee - Best Online Advertising MSN Gallery Awards 2004 - Winner - Best FMCG MSN Gallery Awards 2004 - Grand Prix MSN Gallery Awards 2004 - Winner - Best Public Sector / NGO / Charity Campaign MSN European Creative Awards 2006 - Silver - Telecoms, Media & Entertainment IMA Awards 2004 - Winner - Best Use of Rich Media IMA Awards 2006 - Winner - Special Award for Innovation IMA Awards 2008 - Shortlist - Best Use of Viral Marketing IMA Awards 2008 - Shortlist - Best Use of Video Marketing Week Effectiveness Awards 2008 - Grand Prix Revolution Awards 2007 - Commendation Revolution Awards 2007 - Winner - Automotive Revolution Awards 2007 - Winner - Best Website Revolution Awards 2008 - Winner - Automotive Revolution Awards 2010 - Highly Commended - Innovation Revolution Awards 2013 - Shortlist - Engagement IAB Creative Showcase - December 2003 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - August 2005 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - 2005 - Bronze Grand Prix IAB Creative Showcase - April 2006 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - May 2006 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - December 2006 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - 2006 - ‘Unthink Your Brand’ Award IAB Creative Showcase - August 2007 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - September 2007 - Runner-Up IAB Creative Showcase - April 2008 - Runner-Up IAB Creative Showcase - May 2008 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - June 2008 - Runner-Up IAB Creative Showcase - September 2008 - Runner-Up IAB Creative Showcase - February 2009 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - December 2009 - Runner-Up IAB Creative Showcase - July 2010 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - August 2011 - Winner IAB Creative Showcase - 2011 - Grand Prix IAB Creative Showcase - 2011 - Creativity in Social Media IAB Creative Showcase - 2015 - Best Creative Idea - Shortlist Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Day Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Month Favourite Website Awards - Site of the Month FWA Mobile of the Day Digital Impact Awards 2012 - Silver - Best Use of Online Video Digital Impact Awards 2012 - Silver - Best Use of Digital in Rebrand Digital Impact Awards 2015 - Gold - Best Use of Digital in Retail DADI Awards 2013 - Highly Commended - Consumer Products & Services DADI Awards 2013 - Shortlist - Best Use of Video DADI Awards 2013 - Shortlist - Integrated Marketing Campaign DADI Awards 2015 - Shortlist - Retail DADI Awards 2015 - Shortlist - Use of Social Media DADI Awards 2015 - Commendation - Retail W3 Awards 2013 - Silver - Software W3 Awards 2015 - Gold - Social Campaigns: Fashion W3 Awards 2015 - Gold - Social Content: Fashion W3 Awards 2016 - Gold - Social Media: Automotive Cristal Awards 2015 - Gold - Online Video Cristal Awards 2015 - Shortlist - Digital & Mobile: Fashion Cristal Awards 2015 - Shortlist - Digital & Mobile: Clothing/Accessories Social Buzz Awards 2015 - Nominee - Retail Social Buzz Awards 2015 - Nominee - Automotive Social Buzz Awards 2015 - Nominee - Retail Drum Dream Awards 2015 - Finalist - Digital Campaign Digital Trading Awards 2015 - Finalist - Best Paid Social Campaign British Arrows Craft 2015 - Gold - Best New Director Cassidy Burcher Design Week 2013 - Highly Commended - Interactive Design / Website Chartered Institute of Public Relations 2013 - Winner - Best Use of Digital PROMAX Awards 2008 - Finalist - Best Cross-Media Campaign Y Design Awards 2008 - Winner - YDA Interactive Award Adobe Max Awards 2011 - Winner - Disruptive Design Guardian Megas 2012 - Shortlist - Digital Campaign BBC M&CA Awards 2006 - Most Innovative Campaign of the Year Mercedes-Benz Star Awards 2007 - Gold Third Sector Excellence Awards 2006 - Winner - Best Digital Campaign AOP Online Publishing Awards 2006 - Special Mention - Online Advertising Campaign AICP Next Awards 2012 - Winner - Websites Account Planning Group 2007 - Bronze - Public Service & Charity Account Planning Group 2007 - Gold - Best Campaign from an Agency Outside Campaign's Top 100 ​Creativity Annual Awards 2008 - Gold Creativity Annual Awards 2008 - Silver Creativity Annual Awards 2009 - Gold Creativity Annual Awards 2009 - Honour Creativepool Annual 2016 - Winner - Advertising: Broadcast Creativepool Annual 2016 - Winner - Best Newcomer Blair Barnette AdWeek’s Best Agency Holiday Card of 2009 BAFTA Scotland 1996 - Nominee - Best Director
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Agency of the Year HonoursMultiple
Helped glue London win: Campaign Digital Agency of the Year 2002 Marketing Digital Agency of the Year 2003 NMA’s Most Respected Agency 2004 IPA’s Best of the Best Digital Agency 2005 Helped Agency Republic win: Marketing Digital Agency of the Year 2005 Campaign Digital Agency of the Year 2006 Eurobest runner-up Interactive Agency of the Year 2008 Campaign runner-up Digital Agency of the Year 2008 Marketing Digital Agency of the Year 2008 Marketing runner-up Digital Agency of the Year 2009 Helped W+K London win: Marketing Week Blades Digital Agency of the Year 2011 Creative Review Agency of the Year 2011 New Media Age: UK’s Most Respected Agency 2011 Webby Awards Agency of the Year 2011 Helped DigitasLBi win: Marketing Digital Agency of the Year 2012 Digiday Awards Europe Agency of the Year 2016 Helped Lost Boys to be nominated: IAB Agency of the Year 2015 MAA Best Awards Breakthrough Agency 2016 BIMA Awards Arrival of the Year 2016