About me

After completing my fellowship as academic visitor to the University of Oxford's African Studies Centre in 2022, I am currently focusing on my creative writing (novels and short stories) and consulting as a creative director in my personal capacity with various clients.

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My numerous awards in graphic design, creative direction as well as video editorial and online content show my ability to dive into a challenge and serve up results above expectations. Given the right passionate team, cutting edge resources, and an eye for creativity, anything is possible. I have executive produced and creative directed multi-award winning short form online documentaries and series, and manage the daily delivery and editorial strategy of news from the natural world.

Leaving creative directing I began as a film editor at Earth Touch in 2008 (working on films for the likes of NatGeo and Smithsonian), and soon worked my way up into producing and directing shoots and managing crews in the field - including a free diving documentary shoot in Greece for 4 weeks in 2010 (for Smithsonian).

From 2013 to 2019, with a team of 8 permanent staff (and numerous freelance videographers and producers) I managed ALL online content at Earth Touch and Earth Touch News Network (ETNN's launch in 2014 following my strategy development): from Earth Touch VOD and external VOD clients, to editorial news and social strategies on all major platforms. earthtouchnews (dot) com

As Earth Touch News Network and Online manager, I worked with the developers and designers on the visual side of the user experience on the website and general brand management, and producers and animators on the video editorial pieces (as well as all media for brand consistency).

From 2015 to 2018 I headed up all OTT/VOD research and development, taking Earth Touch's back catalogue of titles to market 2017 onwards (and developing their relationship with Netflix) - either preparing direct sales platforms (ET website, Vimeo On Demand, Amazon Video Direct, Amazon's Streaming Partner Program, Roku) or identifying and liaising with VOD platforms regarding licensing (Netflix, Hulu, Curiosity Stream, AT&T's DirecTV). This includes launch marketing strategies, content delivery, web development, Smart TV and Mobile app development.

I have design, animation and editing (video) skills which I don't mind using to get my hands dirty when the need and urge arises. I made final decisions on content pitches, budgets and rough and fine cuts. Many story leads came through the Earth Touch doors and I made choices according to the audience, what ET represented, and where we were going. These shifted as we learned more about the audience (data never lies) and online media should be adaptable.

From 2010, at Earth Touch, I was involved in content development and creation. From 2012 I was producer and exec producer on ALL online content, from pitch to final publishing. Many of these assets won international awards or honorary mentions (Webby Awards 2013 and 2015 etc).

There were different approaches to the various platforms - YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, website, Twitter - and craft for each audience and delivery. We had numerous Facebook Live videos done for ourselves as well as NatGeoWild.

Stephen's work

cltrSHIFT Podcast

Earth Touch 360

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