So who am I and what have I done?
Way back, when I was young and naïve enough to think you can get by on bright ideas and ambition alone, I walked straight out of art college and boarded a plane for the Middle East.
Several irrelevant and completely pointless jobs later – selling jewellery to the rich and hair to the follically challenged – I tucked my somewhat limited portfolio under my arm, and headed off to the biggest ad agency in town.
A wing, a prayer and one cheeky job request later and I was given a desk, some Pantone pens and the title of ‘Trainee Visualiser’. Sixteen years on, and there’s not a lot I haven’t done – or had to do.
I’ve washed sack loads of potatoes, hung off an Arab dhow and swept a beach with a palm frond. I’ve force-fed Twinkies to roller skating children, dealt with over-dramatic models and ‘dressed’ exotic locations.
I’ve written for TV, print, press and the web. Produced concepts, campaigns, websites and pitches. I’ve written killer headlines to hook the reader, persuasive copy to sell the product and those all important keywords to climb the ranks. I’ve won awards in London and New York, been published in magazines and even written a book – albeit a very boring one.
From global corporations to small family run business, I’ve helped promote everything from famous burgers, luxury cars and award-winning airlines, to custom-built treehouses, scented candles and world wrestling superstars.
I’ve worked with clients such as Gulf Air, Sony, Coca Cola, Nescafe, Nivea, BMW, McDonalds, Sheraton, Standard Chartered Bank, The British Army, Tesco, Leighton Contractors, Singapore Logistics Association, Treehouse Life and Energizer, to name but a few.
Yes indeed, the advertising roller-coaster is an interesting and challenging place to be, but not one which mixes particularly well with sleepless nights and nappy head. So with the stork preparing to take flight, I opted for the slightly more laid back life of a freelance writer.
Or in other words, I started to wear slippers to work.
hukfyuk
What makes me write?
Born with a luggage label and passport attached, I have lived and worked all over the world – spending time in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. This travel bug has allowed me an invaluable insight into different countries and cultures, as well as exposing me to some truly hair-raising, eye-opening and unusual life experiences.
It is a mixture of these experiences, along with a love of words and my stubborn refusal to have anything but the last word, which makes me do what I do. So, providing I have Internet and a place to park my Mac, I write wherever I go.
hukfyuk
And what keeps me sane?
There are admittedly very few downsides to my job, besides the risk of always looking like you just got out of bed, and the incessant snacking when you hit a wall. Perhaps the hardest part for me is perfecting the work-life balance, or in other words, dealing with screeching children pulling on my every limb as a deadline looms.
So to save my sanity I also write a BLOG. I thoroughly recommend it. It’s like therapy, but less expensive and without the uncomfortable line of questioning. I write about things that make me laugh, make me want to cry and make me just ask “Why?”
If you’re bored, curious or just have some time to kill, check it out…
BN
BN
I A
Register am i?
dfs\dgfwfgwEGwegg
