"We Love... A fresh new take on what a digital creative agency can be...
Progressive and flexible, driven and creative, we offer an alternative way forward in terms of design, strategy, attitude and ultimately deliverables. Our strength lies in our understanding of markets and brand, our clarity of communication and the intensity of engagement we can achieve."
What do you actually do?
I do “Stuff’. Whatever is needed at the right time: From organising a room to be more creative, to a quiet piece of advice to a colleague, changing a light bulb, fighting for design, filling in time sheets, R&D, meeting clients, defining briefs or the bit I love the most... sitting down and talking ideas...
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing that?
Living on a mountain or on a beach.
How did you get started in the industry?
When I was 14 on work experience - I was hooked. Post that I made sure I had the grades to get into an OND, then HND, then Degree in Graphics. Then real world hit... You come out of Uni thinking you know a lot... But really that is shit. A recession was on mid-nineties so I freelanced for very little money to build a folio of real work. Every interview was a day in the office working a project against designers with 2-4 years more experience than you... After about 9 months I landed a job at IMG media where we went on to build an agency of 180 people. Belief, a tiny bit of ego, ability and bloody hard work will get you to where you want to be.
What’s your current favourite piece of creative work at the moment?
I do love Sid Lee’s work for Adidas - a great agency. And also Philips Parallel Lines - perhaps a little biased on that one as I have good friends working on it over at Tribal.
What do you love about your job?
What I love... The challenge and ambition of making great ideas real - and having clients that believe in you and give you scope to make change. The pace the digital industry moves at and to be able to move in that space with other brilliant people. It’s not a job - it’s a passion - a lifestyle...
What I really find exciting at the moment... Is that society is in a state of flux; our trust in governments is at an all time low... The way we interact with brands is changing... It’s a brave new world and there is real opportunity for the industry (especially digital) to help our clients change and reshape the future of society to be better. To rethink our messaging to affect culture in a more positive and less dictatorial way.
If you could give one piece of advice for someone starting out, what would it be?
Work hard. Don’t be greedy... Never chase the money. If you are good then the money will come. Remember the reason you got into this industry is to do good and wondrously creative things. Love it for that and that alone.
If you have one Super power what would it be?
Precognition
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Never even thought about it. Only realised that I wanted to be a graphic designer when I went for work experience at Kimberley Clark when I was 14. Such a long, long time ago. Thanks guys for giving me direction.
What was your worst job and what did you learn from it?
Never had a worst job... all have been fantastic experiences - places to learn, grow and do great ‘stuff’.
You have already worked with some amazing brands, who would you like to work with next?
Well. After writing the above... Kimberley Clark again I guess. Other than that... there are so many... Adidas, Lotus, Diesel, Virgin, Redbull, Eurostar, IKEA... Brands with passion mainly...
iPhone or Blackberry?
Android
Your favourite app?
Wunderlist - I love my lists.
Too Cool for School or too School for Cool?
I worked hard at school. I loved learning, experiencing new things. Not super academic... but knowledgeable. I guess that makes me Too School for Cool. But then I am also known as ‘Cool Uncle Mark’ - Admittedly they are kids of 4 and 7 who say this. But, hey, take the praise where you can get it.
Facebook or Twitter?
Personally - Facebook... it’s more personal. But I find the ‘noise’ on both starting to become a little annoying.
Eat In or eat out?
Eat out... I can’t cook... And I love experiencing different foods and environments. Plus I don’t have to wash up.
Follow Mark:
Twitter: @welovedigital
