Owner at Provenance

December 2009 – Present

My own consultancy practice. Creative Strategy, Design and Art Direction. This has involved in working across a number of large corporates and top tier design and branding companies. I’m currently engaged in some large projects but seem to find a few days a fortnight to slot extra work in.

Creative Director at DNA Design

January 2001 – Present (15 years)

My longest stint in one place. Was headhunted from Clemenger. DNA is one of New Zealand’s most successful Brand Consultancies and produce some of New Zealand’s most innovative design work. I was a BeST Awards judge 2008.

Design Director at Clemenger BBDO

January 2000 - January 2001 (1 year 1 month)

I helped oversee the establishment of the successful design division of Clemenger Wellington. This included cementing some of Clemenger’s above- the-line clients as long term design clients. It was a tight, focussed and (at the time) highly profitable team. We went from being an almost complete unknown to being an industry player. Garnered with awards and being talked about as ‘serious competition’.

Design Director at The New Colenso

June 1998 – January 2000 (1 year 8 months)

Established as the company that merged between HKM Advertising and Colenso Advertising. I helped lead the establishment of the Design Division, and helped manage the process during the merger.

Design Director, Creative Director Direct, Art Director at HKM Advertising

October 1993 – June 1998 (4 years 9 months)

HKM Advertising was a Clemenger Agency. I started off here as a Junior Art Director and ended up helping run the Design Group and over seeing creative for all direct marketing. This was all in the days of long lunches at Il Casino; Remiro Bresolin breezing around with $60 cigars and $120 Cognacs.

Designer, Art Director at J Walter Thompson

December 1988 – October 1993 (4 years 11 months)

I started early in 1989 as a designer and visualiser, with a brand new set of 200 Yoken markers and a drawing board. I clearly remember the smell of wax and cow gum, hot and late nights beneath a Grant Enlarger, the smell of the bromide developer and spray glue. I finished up working as an art director, working alongside some very capable writers. J Walter Thompson is also known as the University of Advertising!