ABOUT
Award-winning Creative | Built and Developed multi-disciplinary Creative teams | Extensive Creative / Publishing / Commercial Experience within Entertainment / Gaming Industry.
Award-winning Creative | Built and Developed multi-disciplinary Creative teams | Extensive Creative / Publishing / Commercial Experience within Entertainment / Gaming Industry.
I am a highly passionate and meticulous creative with proven knowledge of design, strategy, vision, and communication with over a decade of experience in leadership and delivering award-winning 360 creative for global brands such as PlayStation, Universal Studios, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney, Samsung, Coca Cola, KFC and The Sidemen.
I consider myself a people-focused goals-driven creative with extensive experience in managing large teams of diverse personalities in deadline-driven environments, I blend motivational leadership with enthusiasm for developing exceptional creativity to raise quality and aiming to go beyond expectations.
Ultimately my style is simple, the relentless pursuit for perfection, not at all costs but the refusal to accept mediocrity or excuses for making something not as good as could be, good enough isn’t good enough.
BRANDS - Microsoft, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple, Universal Studios, Jurassic Franchise, Ghostbuster Franchise, Sony, Formula 1, Nvidia, Barbasol, West Ham United, Disney+, Pokemon, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Trolls, Dreamworks, LG, FIFA, Samsung, Revolut, Coca Cola, AMD, Krispy Kreme, KFC, Cetaphil, Lenovo, Pizza Hut, Mercedes, Crypto, JBL.
RECOGNITION / AWARDS - The Drum Digital Advertising Awards, YouTube Works Awards, Best Trade Show Exhibit Awards, The Solution Awards, The Luxury Packaging Awards
PRODUCTS / CREDITS - Jurassic World Evolution, Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Lost Winds, Tales from Deep Space, ScreamRide, Formula 1, Warhammer
TOOLS - MacOS & Windows - Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Monday.com, Frame.io, JIRA
SKILLS HIGHLIGHTS
Over a decade of experience working on game, theatrical, film, home entertainment and consumer products within an integrated creative agency or in-house teams.
Award-winning expertise in visual direction, artistic innovation and brand positioning while excelling in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
Ability to concept and develop global original on-brand ideas, with an understanding of industry trends, best-in-class campaigns, and best practices.
Excellent conceptual and ideation skills, a flair for execution and an eye for detail. A brand guardian, ensuring the highest standards of creativity are always maintained.
A natural storyteller, directing and producing great cinematic, trailers or animation that audiences engage with a meticulous eye for granular detail.
An extensive understanding of marketing communications as a whole and what outputs are best suited to specific media platforms including gaming communities, audiences, and distribution platforms (Steam, PS, XB etc.).
Able to generate out-of-the-box ideas for pitches, including writing example scripts and working up or sourcing visuals to present them in the best possible light.
Great communication and presentation skills – Able to clearly & confidently present & sell work & opinions – providing clear rationale & justification when required.
Skilled in creating visuals & in-situ mock-ups, including OOH/DOOH, press, digital banners, paid social, and in-store POS.
Building and managing teams, establishing employee career growth, leading cross-functional team collaboration, and providing constructive feedback with a proven record of success in team motivation with a 100% retention rate.
EXPERIENCE
HEAD OF CREATIVE
HEAVEN MEDIA
2022 -CURRENT
Heading up all things creative! (Creative/Design/Production)
Heaven is a leading marketing and creative agency that specialises in the gaming and technology industries. We connect world-leading brands in tech and gaming with new audiences globally. Our experienced team provides unparalleled knowledge in brand building, creative execution, and strategic planning. We push boundaries and advance our industry with innovative and daring solutions. Our creative prowess and strategic mindset ensure outstanding results for our clients. We redefine the concept of play and entertainment with a playful and human approach. We are the go-to agency for trusted and experienced experts who consistently deliver outstanding results.
Heaven is a leading marketing and creative agency that specialises in the gaming and technology industries. We connect world-leading brands in tech and gaming with new audiences globally. Our experienced team provides unparalleled knowledge in brand building, creative execution, and strategic planning. We push boundaries and advance our industry with innovative and daring solutions. Our creative prowess and strategic mindset ensure outstanding results for our clients. We redefine the concept of play and entertainment with a playful and human approach. We are the go-to agency for trusted and experienced experts who consistently deliver outstanding results.
GROUP CREATIVE LEAD
KAIROS GROUP
2021 -2022
Heading up all things creative across the group!
Brands I've worked on: LG, FIFA, Samsung, Revolut, Coca Cola, AMD, Krispy Kreme, KFC, Cetaphil, Lenovo, Pizza Hut, Mercedes, Crypto, JBL, Sandbox, Boost, XBOX, King and many more...
We are Kairos Group, a collaborative of agencies that are changing the way the next generation views advertising, and discovers brands on social media.
Our agencies bring success to international clients and creators with award-winning work. We use a balance of data-driven insight, strategy and creative executions to bring our client campaigns to life.
Brands I've worked on: LG, FIFA, Samsung, Revolut, Coca Cola, AMD, Krispy Kreme, KFC, Cetaphil, Lenovo, Pizza Hut, Mercedes, Crypto, JBL, Sandbox, Boost, XBOX, King and many more...
We are Kairos Group, a collaborative of agencies that are changing the way the next generation views advertising, and discovers brands on social media.
Our agencies bring success to international clients and creators with award-winning work. We use a balance of data-driven insight, strategy and creative executions to bring our client campaigns to life.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | ART DIRECTOR
FREELANCE
2020 -2021
Creative Direction and ideation for multiple national and international 360 campaigns.
Pokemon | Amazon Prime Video | Jurassic Franchise | Netflix | Trolls | Dreamworks
CREATIVE HEAD | LEAD | MANAGER
FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS PLC
2014 - 2020
Built and led the creative vision of a 24 person creative services team from the ground up to produce award-winning out-of-the-box concepts, dynamic visuals and innovative strategies to drive global awareness through advertisement campaigns, brand identity, merchandise, packaging, videos, trailers and websites across game, theatrical, home entertainment and consumer products.
HIGHLIGHTS
Excelled in the role as Creative Head | Lead | Manager, spearheading award-winning 360 creative direction, innovative design and development and hands-on artistic production.
Demonstrating award-winning expertise in visual direction, artistic innovation and brand positioning while excelling in fast-paced, deadline driven environments.
Establishing employee career growth, leading cross-functional team collaboration across publishing, demonstrating a proven record of success in team motivation with 100% retention, along with outstanding communication and collaboration with external talent.
Instrumental key partner in acquiring the licence for major global brands.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
CREATIVE DIRECTION & MARKETING CONSULTANCY
WEST HAM UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
2015
CREATIVE DIRECTION & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CLOUD DIGIAL MEDIA
2014 - 2015
PUBLICATIONS
What is the most important ingredient of creativity?
THE DRUM
The rise of non-endemic marketing: creativity is connecting brands with new audiences.
THE DRUM
RECOMMENDATIONS
Charley Grafton-Callaghan
MARKETING DIRECTOR - KAIROS GROUP
"Sam is one of the best creatives I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. With his in-depth knowledge and talent across creative services, his ability to get to the heart of a project and deliver extraordinary and inspiring creativity is second to none.
A true collaborator, he brings energy, passion, empathy and vision to everything he does, always ready to listen at every stage of the process and drive the very best results - a true dream to work with. I honestly look forward to every meeting we have and project I work with Sam and his teams on, as I know not only is the work going to be on point, we’ll have a great time along the way!"
Vanessa Powell
BRAND DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER - REVOLUT
I had the pleasure of working directly with Sam on the launch of the Revolut Sidemen campaign. As a client, he exceeded my expectations at every stage. His professionalism and dedication to the project were incredible. He was so responsive and understood what we were trying to achieve. Clearly really knowledgable Sam was really well placed to give great design advice that clearly comes from his wealth of experience. Thanks, Sam for making my life so much easier on what was a very tough project with multiple demands and short deadlines! Sam is so well-connected and a real asset as part of a large-scale project - his contacts came in handy more times than I can count so he’s also so much more than your regular creative. I hope I get the chance to work with Sam again soon and couldn't recommend him more!
Chad Young
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL - FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS PLC
“Sam is a passionate and hardworking creative with a great eye for commercial assets, always looking and analysing from the consumer's perspective. As a manager, I've seen Sam build a large team of professional’s intent on delivering creative assets to the highest standard, all whilst under tight deadlines and with a smile on his face. I couldn't give higher praise!”
Jamie Hoey
MANAGING DIRECTOR, AU - CROUD
“I worked with Sam during several of the key game launches at Frontier as an agency partner. Sam was fantastic in helping to deliver top-quality assets for our paid media activity and above and beyond what we expected and had briefed in. His leadership and skill were a big factor in the success of our campaigns. I find Sam incredibly easy to work with and a genuinely nice character, it was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with him.”
Zac Antonaci
DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING - FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS PLC
“Sam is a very passionate and talented creative. He pours 100% of himself into every one of his projects and has delivered high-quality, engaging content across many mediums.”
Ryan Askew
MANAGING DIRECTOR - PREMIER PRINT AND PROMOTIONS LTD
“I have worked closely with Sam for some time now. Sam has a tremendous eye for detail, a real creative flair and strives for perfection in every piece of work he plays a part in. It is a pleasure to work with someone willing to spend time and effort making something that could be very average stand out from the crowd. Highly recommended!”
Jim Croft
HEAD OF AUDIO - FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS PLC
“Talent. Passion. Vision. Drive. Energy. Sam possesses these qualities in spades. Trust and empower him and he will deliver!"