About me

I believe in big, versatile ideas, short lines, small talented teams, under promising and over delivering.
I wrote/directed my first radio ads for a chain of bike shops (aged 18) which helped me get into Watford College (famous for its creative copywriting course). After working in London, I joined Euro RSCG (now HAVAS) in The Netherlands, creating 360º campaigns across European markets on everything from consumer electronics to dog food. Then joined ADK Europe to work on global car commercials ultimately becoming Exec Creative Director and leading all Agency creative work on Nikon, Mitsubishi Motors & TDK. The Nikon work was sighted as a key reason the camera brand achieved SuperBrand(R) status. Authored the campaign platforms, 'Take a different Road' for Mitsubishi (ran for 10+ years in UK) and 'Made & Played on TDK'.
Managerially, I reoriented ADK to be an autonomous, award winning Amsterdam agency, acquiring European clients inc. domestic Dutch and UK business, a first for the company.
Awards inc. (Campaign's Best International Print, OneShow, EPICA, EuroBest, London International, ADCN, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions etc.). Actively attracted and recruited a cross section of creative, digital, design and post production talent.

Founded my own agency, van North, to create strategically sound ideas and often produce them 'in-house' too. Our work has been featured in Lurzer's Archive, Creative Review, Communication Arts and picked up by national Newspapers. As well as attracting leading photography awards such as the IPA's, AOP and PX3.
Recent Projects: FIVE GUYS BURGERS & FRIES (Brand Film) BRUYNZEEL Kitchens (Dutch TVC & 360º Campaign), KRAMP (Brand & Product Films / App Launch / Strategic Positioning) FRUIT OF THE LOOM (International Brand Relaunch) ELSEVIER MAGAZINE (Dutch Relaunch Campaign) ESSITY (Corporate / Brand Introduction).

Skills

Art Direction, Brand Management, Brand Stategy, Copywriting, Creative Direction, Directing, Presentation, Producing

Sector Experience

Advertising, Branding, Communications, Creative Services

Awards

AOP Photographer\'s Award, Art Director’s Club - Silver, Campaign BIG Award - Silver, Communication Arts Competition, EPICA Award - Gold, Eurobest Award Gold, International Photography Awards, One Show - Bronze Pencil, One Show - Silver Pencil

Clients

ABN-Amro, ING, Rabobank, PriceWaterhouse, HSBS, Interpolis, Airopack, Atos Origin, AkzoNobel, DSM, GEC, NEC, Nedap, Leasplan, TiP, Vodafone, Asahi Beer, Ben & Jerrys, Dominos, DouweEgberts, Friesland Campina, Mars, Dorset Cereals, Heineken, Old El Paso, Lipton, Burton Snowboards, Dunlop, K2, Russell Athletic, Fruit of the Loom, PureFishing, Elian Cycles,, C&A, Tommy Hilfiger, O'Neill, Seiko, Salomon, Inov-8, Emma Safety Shoes, GSK, Mediq, NovoNordisk, Pharmacia & Upjohn, BUPA, BSN, Morrisons, Dixons, Halfords, MTV, Sky, Vodafone, Tele2, TeleDanmark, Nikon, TDK, Braun, Bose, Dyson, Marantz, Maxwell, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Fuji, Xerox, Activision.Philips, Xerox,, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi Motors, Volvo, KwikFit, Bridgestone, Michelin., SC Johnson, Rexona/Sure, Redken, MaxiCosi,, The Iams Company, Purina, Royal Canin, UPC, Fox Sports, Look Live.